Background and Purposes: Throughout history, human societies have continuously faced crises such as colonialism, war, and political-cultural domination, all of which threaten cultural identity, social cohesion, and the historical continuity of nations. Under such circumstances, cultural resilience gains particular significance as a society’s capacity to preserve and sustain its values, beliefs, and cultural identity. This resilience is shaped based on the collective memory, social bonds, and cultural patterns, enabling societies to withstand internal and external threats. One of its most significant manifestations is patriotism, which transcends a mere personal emotion and becomes a collective force for safeguarding national identity and dignity. Literature, particularly resistance literature, provides an appropriate medium for representing this connection, as it activates historical memory and transmits identity-based values to future generations. In this regard, Abdelrahman Sharqawi’s the poetic play Masat Jamila is considered one of the prominent works of resistance literature in the Arab world. The play portrays the struggle of the Algerian people against French colonialism through the central character of Djamila (Jamila) Bouhired. In this work, Djamila is represented not merely as a historical figure but also as a symbol of commitment and patriotism. From a psychological perspective, the colonial conditions generate emotions such as fear, anger, and humiliation among the characters, emotions that are intensified by their lived experiences. The characters experience a political pressure with a conflict between fear of repression and the desire for freedom; however, their emotional attachment to the homeland and the collective memory of suffering transform this psychological pressure into a source of resilience and endurance. From a sociological perspective, patriotism in the play is not merely an individual sentiment but also a factor that strengthens collective identity and solidarity among resistance forces. Individual suffering acquires meaning within the context of collective goals, and resistance evolves from an individual act into a broader social and cultural phenomenon. Despite the literary and historical significance of this work, the components of cultural resilience within the framework of patriotism have received limited scholarly attention. Therefore, the present study aims to demonstrate how these components are represented in Masat Jamila from a psycho-sociological perspective and how patriotism contributes to psychological endurance and the reinforcement of social cohesion under colonial conditions.
Methodology: The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and is based on interdisciplinary studies in literature, culture, and psychology. The theoretical framework of the research is grounded in the concept of cultural resilience, its components, and the notion of patriotism. The research data consist of the full text of the play Masat Jamila, which were examined through qualitative and thematic analysis. The analysis focuses on identifying and explaining components such as cultural belonging, trust in cultural teachings, commitment to collective ideals, national pride, and collectivism. In this regard, the characters’ reactions and psychological experiences are interpreted in relation to the mechanisms through which identity formation and collective solidarity emerge within the context of social resistance. To enhance the validity of the analysis, the findings were compared with previous studies in the fields of resistance literature and cultural resilience.
Discussion and Results: The findings of the study indicate that the play Masat Jamila presents a coherent and multilayered portrayal of cultural resilience, in which patriotism functions as the central element linking its various components. Cultural belonging and rootedness are depicted through the characters’ deep connection to the land and history of Algeria. Djamila Bouhired merges her individual identity with the national identity and perceives death as part of cultural and historical continuity. From a psychological perspective, the characters’ identification with the national identity and their emotional attachment to the homeland lead them to reinterpret the pressures of repression and torture within a higher and more meaningful framework. Under such circumstances, fear and insecurity—factors that could lead to psychological breakdown—are transformed into forces of endurance in the light of the ideal of freedom. By relying on cultural values, the characters transform suffering from a purely painful experience into something meaningful in the defense of human dignity, thereby strengthening their psychological resilience in the face of external pressures. From a sociological perspective, reliance on shared cultural values contributes to the formation of an internalized collective identity. This identity organizes individual emotions within a common framework and transforms personal suffering and anger into a cohesive sense of “we.” Within this context, commitment to collective ideals creates normative and emotional cohesion, turning individual actions into purposeful collective movements and preventing fragmentation. National pride, as a collective emotion, also reinforces shared hope and social endurance by giving meaning to suffering and sacrifice. Elements such as realistic optimism, mutual trust, and reliance on institutions of resistance constitute complementary layers of cultural resilience. In addition, symbols such as the olive branch, the Algerian flag, and the rising dawn become tools for conveying meaning and strengthening cultural memory. The contrast between the rootless colonizers and the deeply rooted indigenous people suggests that true power lies not in instruments of repression but in cultural capital. The presence of the younger generation also reflects the continuity of cultural resilience and the reproduction of social capital within the framework of patriotism.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that, in the play Masat Jamila, patriotism serves as the primary manifestation of cultural resilience and organizes its components through both individual and collective actions. From a psycho-sociological perspective, attachment to the homeland in this work strengthens individuals’ psychological endurance and contributes to the formation of a collective identity capable of resisting colonial pressures. The play demonstrates that culture functions not only as a tool of resistance against colonialism but also as a mechanism for preserving identity and maintaining social cohesion. Through the depiction of the courtroom, prison scenes, and symbols of resistance, Sharqawi illustrates that patriotism plays a fundamental role in sustaining cultural resilience, and that resistance literature can serve as an effective medium for transmitting resilient values to future generations.