Post-1919 Egyptian writers measured themselves anxiously against European cultural standards.

Evidence

Muhakima mu´alifï is a strange and funny glimpse into the Egyptian cultural scene of 1919–1920. It also offers insights into the powerful selfconsciousness experienced by Egyptian writers when comparing themselves to European culture, a self-consciousness paralleled by the needs of nationalist politicians to prove their country’s integrity overseas. The judges of Taymür’s articles seemed concerned with the improper importation of foreign dramatic customs (like American-style advertising) and poor translations, issues about which Taymür had previously voiced his concern.Yet the issue of realism that so strongly concerned Taymür in other writings is put aside here. As foreigners the judges are in no position to question the realism of the accused’s work, but have full authority over artistic standards. What is most important in these articles, then, is the question of where Egypt stands as a culture with respect to Europe.When compared with such august luminaries as Molière and Corneille, Taymür seems to say, we Egyptians are only comical imitators. — Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Colonialism_…, 949

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in Egyptian colonial self-consciousness and cultural cringe dynamics studied across colonized literatures.
• QUESTION: Who were these foreign judges of Taymur’s articles, and which publication hosted this mock-court performance?