Abstract
This is an analytical study of Ahmad Dayf’s Introduction to
Arabic Rhetoric’s, published in 1920. It will try to shed light on the
contribution of Dayf’s book towards the establishment of
comparative studies in the Modern Arab World. It will also
show to what extent Dayf made use of the methodologies of
French critics such as Hippolyte Taine, Madame de stael, sainte
Beuve, Ferdinand Brunetier, Jules lemaitre, and Ernest Renan, in
his quest to establish new methodology for the study of Arabic
literary discourse. Furthermore, this study will show how Dayf
benefited from the Works of previous Arab critics, which in
inaugurated his work as important preparatory step in the
development of comparative literature in Arabic.