Abstract

This article aims at providing a culturally specific investigation of father–daughter incest through the lens of feminist psychoanalysis in literary studies. The article is therefore focused on two novels: Pillars of Salt and The Bride of Amman. The main contribution in this article is to shed light on the cultural particularities present in Jordanian literary studies pertaining to escaping or terminating father–daughter incestuous relationships. These cultural variations are examined with respect to parental assistance and institutional assistance. This article is thus based on the exploration of two central research questions: “what is the role played by parents in assisting a victim of father–daughter incest in Amman to stop her abusive experience?” and “what is the role of official institutions in aiding a victim of father–daughter incest in Amman to prevent the continuation of her abusive experience?” A primary concern to the researcher in this article is to voice the “particularity” of the victims’ struggle and endeavors to escape the seemingly endless recurrence of incest.