The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker interprets Jewish and Arab mythical characters in the context of nineteenth-century New York's immigrant population. The paper uses the framework of Myth and Folklore Studies to analyse the book from a modern perspective, emphasizing how old myths are reworked in current, diasporic contexts. The story depicts myth as a dynamic type of cultural memory that adjusts to migration, dislocation, and cultural contact rather than portraying folklore as static or antiquated. Both the jinni Ahmad and the golem Chava represent inherited legendary traditions, but when they face new societal realities, their identities change. The paper contends that Wecker use folklore to examine questions of identity, belonging, and hybridity in immigrant communities, drawing on theorists like Jack Zipes, Marina Warner, Stuart Hall, Homi K. Bhabha, and Amira El-Zein. The book illustrates how myths span cultural boundaries and change as they come into contact with modernity. Wecker blurs the line between myth and reality by situating otherworldly figures in a realistic historical setting, demonstrating how folklore still influences modern storytelling. The paper argues that The Golem and the Jinni acts as a transcultural fantasy that protects cultural memory while facilitating communication between Arab and Jewish traditions, making a substantial contribution to the study of modern mythology and global literature.
Jewish and Arab traditions, Myth, Folklore, Diaspora, Cultural Memory, and Transcultural Fantasy
. Between Clay and Fire: Reimagining Jewish and Arab Folklore in the Golem and The Jinni. Indian Journal of Modern Research and Reviews. 2026; 4(1):182-184
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