The thesis is aimed at a research of modern Arabic poetry of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and understanding of its importance in the context of the world literary process. Particular attention paid to the issue of national identity in the poetic texts of the North African writers. The colonial policy of France, on the one hand, has led to the rise of the Muslim philosophers who have contributed to the development of the Arabic poetry but opposed the Western influence; on the other hand, it has created an opportunity for the enrichment of Maghrebi literature by applying European artistic experience. Apparently, there are authors like Abu al-Kasem al-Shabbi in Tunisia or Muhammad Bennis in Morocco, who attempt to unite both literary traditions - the Western (French, English) and the Arabic one. Among the key instruments in deconstructing the issue of national identity in Maghrebi Arabic poetry there is a literary imagology, which studies the worldview based on the opposition of 'Self' and 'Other'. The research determines what is 'Self' and what is 'Other' for the Maghreb poets and their societies. In addition, special attention is devoted to the embodiment of ideas of 'Enlightenment' and 'Romanticism' in Modern Maghrebi Arabic literature. Both movements laid the foundation for the appearance of contemporary Arabic poetry in Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Before the 20th century, the poetical tradition of North Africa based mainly on the Pre-Islamic values. However, due to the efforts of enlighteners of the first half of past century, (such as Muhammad Laid al-Khalifa in Algeria, Muhammad al-Mokhtar al-Soussi in Morocco, Abu al-Kasem al-Shabbi in Tunisia and others) the Maghrebi Arabic poetry witnessed the rapid evolution of themes, motives, and aesthetic values. The shift was in perception of the author's figure: from the 20th century, the Poet becomes an integral part of the verse, unlike ancient times, when the critical attention was paid mainly to the following of tradition, but not to the personality of the author and his/her concerns.
