In Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables there is an uprising of the young, forming barricades to protest at the state and Marius the young naive stands with his young political friends who all die. These uprising apparently were frequent following the revolution and even today the French are quite happy to march and burn things in the streets to tell their leaders they are unhappy. There are many instances in French literature of such uprisings being described or used a part of the plot.
Although England was the first country in Europe to get rid of its king in their revolution it did not take hold. Sadly whereas in France the leadership had several key figures one after the other culminating in Napoleon in England they only really had Cromwell.
I have a feeling the literature of the Arab world will be slightly refreshed by what is happening right now. The artists and thinkers whilst being filled with some apprehension will also be enthused by the sheer vibrancy of people saying no. The police state is muted in Europe although it exists and we have forgotten how terrible it is to live in fear. To lose friends overnight never to see them again. It is also wise to notice how chauvinistic police states actually are.
I will believe in the Arab revolution when all women and children are accorded equal rights. Until then I will stay off the barricades because liberation from suppression is a long way from liberation of one’s mind.