Al-manfiyun exiliados: Voices of the Lebanese Diaspora in Mexican Literature

Author

• Mia del RosarioFollow

Publication Date

Spring 5-16-2026

Abstract

This thesis explores two key works of Mexican literature published in the late 20^th century in terms of their cultural relevance in the Mexican literary sphere. The novels En el verano, la tierra by Carlos Martínez Assad and Las hojas muertas by Bárbara Jacobs center around the infrequently-explored identities of Lebanese immigrants to Mexico and their Mexican-born descendants through a sociocultural lens, discussing their identity negotiation in the context of 20^th-century Mexico, which was in the process of redefining its national identity after the Mexican Revolution. During this time, people of ethnicities that did not fall into the category of mestizaje (an idealized racial blend of colonial Spaniard and indigenous heritage) faced discrimination. With their novels, Martínez Assad and Jacobs carve out a space for Lebanese-Mexicans to see themselves represented in Mexican literature as well as invite a broader Mexican audience to expand their understanding of what it means to be “Mexican.”

Degree Name

Spanish (MA)

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Spanish and Portuguese

First Committee Member (Chair)

Anna Nogar

Second Committee Member

Damián Vergara Wilson

Third Committee Member

Emma Trentman

Language

English

Keywords

Lebanese-Mexican, Mexican literature, immigrant identity, Mexican identity

Document Type

Thesis

Recommended Citation

del Rosario, Mia. "Al-manfiyun exiliados: Voices of the Lebanese Diaspora in Mexican Literature." (2026). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/span_etds/169