Why does Mahfouz employ
stream of consciousness narration in the novel and to what effect?
Mahfouz revolutionized Arabic
literature as her was the first author in the Arab world to use stream of
consciousness within his novel. The author uses this to create a closer
insight and connection into the author's mind. This is very obviously
distinct from the third person narration, as it is italicized to reveal his
darkest and innermost thoughts, which are normally not censored and is
rational. Sa’id is the character the Mahfouz uses to manipulate the unfiltered
thoughts and opinions toward the reader, making the complexity and depth of the
novel much richer. Mahfouz typically uses this when Sa’id experiences very
strong emotions of betrayal and anger towards the people around him.
The narration fluctuates from
Third person to an indirect narration towards a direct narration when Mahfouz
choses to reveal Sa’ids true emotions. This is used because it is better
conveyed through a first person narration to show authenticity and to control
the distance between the reader and the narrator as opposed to narrating it
through a third person. This is also showing the metal state of Sa’d which gradually
seems to be getting worse as the structure becomes chaotic.
Mahfouz uses this toward his
advantage because it is more modernized and is a cleaner and stronger way to
reveal characters unfiltered thoughts. There are more insights that are
revealed to the audience compared to other literature. This is also because it
follows some of the conventions of Arabic literature where every character is
symbolic of something. The audience it easily found to show more emotion toward
Sa’id and this is to highlight Mahfouz’s thoughts on politics and conflict
within the Egyptian revolution. It also reveals internal monologue and it a
very intense emotional experience.
Mahfouz, drives away from the
normal conventions of Arabic literature and contextually, the themes of
religion and especially society. Mahfouz chose to narrate the streets of Cairo
near his hometown, where he was familiarized with the streets, making the
narration richer with contextualization within the stream of consciousness.
Because of this cultural embedment, there is are dual meaning between the
characters making it more challenging for the audience to understand Mahfouz’s
attitude towards Egyptian politics.