Naguib Mahfouz uses a large array of narrative techniques in his book The 'Thief and the Dogs'. By alternating between techniques such as stream of consciousness, direct or indirect interior monologue, and soliloquy, Mahfouz enriches the character development in this text and allows the reader for a more holistic approach than usual for developing a perception of the character.
Mahfouz's objective with this text was to depict the changes that the Egyptian middle class had gone through. It wasn't simply a narration of a story set in post-revolutionary Egypt. It's purpose goes much more beyond that. By using such a variety of styles, Mahfouz is able to establish the characters the readers are supposed to sympathise with, and hence achieve the goal of the book: to show his dissatisfaction with the current state of Egyptian society then.
Mahfouz draws the readers in and encourages them to take the side of Said Mahran, by using a stream of consciousness narrative technique. For example, when Mahfouz writes Said's thoughs as "Nabawiyya. Ilish. Your two names merge in my mind. For years you will have been thinking about this day, never imagining, all the while, that the gates would ever actually open. You’ll be watching now, but I won’t fall into the trap. At the right moment, instead, I’ll strike like Fate.", the readers are forced to sympathise with Said. This example of stream of consciousness technique is smattered with instances of imagery. When Said thinks of the two faces of Nabawiyya and Ilish merging together, the readers think the same. When he thinks about how they will have been thinking for 'years' that the gates would never actually open, the readers are perturbed by Nabawiyya and Irish's existence and are cajoled into having the same view of the situation as Said. Imagery and personification of Said as Fate, as well as the capitalisation of the f in fate solidifies Said's rage, and provides the reader something to associate with. The readers almost certainly have been a situation like this, and Mahfouz making use of this fact achieves his objectives by using narrative techniques such as this.
Sometimes, the narration includes phrases that are very vague. Indirect interior monologue like"What love he’d had been the exclusively property of that other, unfaithful woman. He’d been made of stone. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than loving someone like that." makes the reader appreciate Said's struggles. The struggle of the woman he loved could also refer to his love for Egypt. He'd devoted his heart to the country he considered his best love; however he never could do anything about it. This made him forget himself, forget that he himself had had a heart at one point. His love for his 'country' turned his heart into stone. When his love for his country is described as heartbreaking, the real situation is depicted accurately. He wanted to make his country a better place because he loved 'her'. However, he couldn't do anything about it, and hence his heart broke. By using such narration here that makes Saids thoughts sound vague in terms of whom he is referring to, Mahfouz is given place in the text to express his disdain with the current state of Egypt then.
However, this usage of stream of consciousness has some drawbacks as well. One must remember that this technique is drawn from other languages, and isn't native to English. This makes such a narration seem rather exotic and not relatable, since the reader understands that the text isn't written in English initially. It also makes the reader take a specific point of view, which is later very hard to change. It might not always be disadvantageous, but a rigid perspective always drags down the credibility of certain literature.
Hence, through the usage of the stream of consciousness technique, Mahfouz ensures that he tells the story in accordance with his objective, and develop conflict that is perceived from only side of the argument. The adoption of such techniques from other languages, however, is only how literature can keep being evolved and bettered.
Mahfouz's objective with this text was to depict the changes that the Egyptian middle class had gone through. It wasn't simply a narration of a story set in post-revolutionary Egypt. It's purpose goes much more beyond that. By using such a variety of styles, Mahfouz is able to establish the characters the readers are supposed to sympathise with, and hence achieve the goal of the book: to show his dissatisfaction with the current state of Egyptian society then.
Mahfouz draws the readers in and encourages them to take the side of Said Mahran, by using a stream of consciousness narrative technique. For example, when Mahfouz writes Said's thoughs as "Nabawiyya. Ilish. Your two names merge in my mind. For years you will have been thinking about this day, never imagining, all the while, that the gates would ever actually open. You’ll be watching now, but I won’t fall into the trap. At the right moment, instead, I’ll strike like Fate.", the readers are forced to sympathise with Said. This example of stream of consciousness technique is smattered with instances of imagery. When Said thinks of the two faces of Nabawiyya and Ilish merging together, the readers think the same. When he thinks about how they will have been thinking for 'years' that the gates would never actually open, the readers are perturbed by Nabawiyya and Irish's existence and are cajoled into having the same view of the situation as Said. Imagery and personification of Said as Fate, as well as the capitalisation of the f in fate solidifies Said's rage, and provides the reader something to associate with. The readers almost certainly have been a situation like this, and Mahfouz making use of this fact achieves his objectives by using narrative techniques such as this.
Sometimes, the narration includes phrases that are very vague. Indirect interior monologue like"What love he’d had been the exclusively property of that other, unfaithful woman. He’d been made of stone. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than loving someone like that." makes the reader appreciate Said's struggles. The struggle of the woman he loved could also refer to his love for Egypt. He'd devoted his heart to the country he considered his best love; however he never could do anything about it. This made him forget himself, forget that he himself had had a heart at one point. His love for his 'country' turned his heart into stone. When his love for his country is described as heartbreaking, the real situation is depicted accurately. He wanted to make his country a better place because he loved 'her'. However, he couldn't do anything about it, and hence his heart broke. By using such narration here that makes Saids thoughts sound vague in terms of whom he is referring to, Mahfouz is given place in the text to express his disdain with the current state of Egypt then.
However, this usage of stream of consciousness has some drawbacks as well. One must remember that this technique is drawn from other languages, and isn't native to English. This makes such a narration seem rather exotic and not relatable, since the reader understands that the text isn't written in English initially. It also makes the reader take a specific point of view, which is later very hard to change. It might not always be disadvantageous, but a rigid perspective always drags down the credibility of certain literature.
Hence, through the usage of the stream of consciousness technique, Mahfouz ensures that he tells the story in accordance with his objective, and develop conflict that is perceived from only side of the argument. The adoption of such techniques from other languages, however, is only how literature can keep being evolved and bettered.
Hi Pratik. I enjoyed reading your response. Your analysis is insightful. You mention that using this technique makes it difficult for the reader to change her point of view. However, did your opinion of Said change as the novel progresses? How does Mahfouz accomplish this?
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Michael! :)
DeleteComing to think of it, it did change toward the end of the text. But what I meant is that the stream of consciousness technique means a very rigid perspective on the issue at a specific point in time, not necessarily throughout the book.
Back to the question at hand, yes, my perception of Said did change. However, I think narrative structure had a large role to play in my perspective of the book. Rather, it was the introduction of Nour that provided a contrast to Said's character, which I think changed my opinion of Said's situation as the novel progressed.
Great job, Pratik! I really enjoyed looking at your carefully selected passages that serve as examples for the narrative techniques Mahfouz uses. I also appreciated your analysis of each passage and how you related it to the importance of stream of consciousness in developing Said's holistic depiction.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lina! :)
DeleteYou delve deep into the intricacies of the novel and therefore provide further insight into what Naguib Mahfouz's purpose is for using the stream of consciousness technique. Though your analysis of Said's mind and relating the love for his country and for Nabawiyya together, you bring forth a really good argument to justify Mahfouz's purpose of writing TATD. I'm unsure as to how a rigid perspective drags down credibility of literature. Could you clarify?
ReplyDeleteGREAT POST!
A rigid perspective means that the author isn't necessarily allowing the reader to form his/her own perspective on that specific piece of literature. The fact that the author wants to guide a reader to a specific thought process with an iron fist is what in my opinion makes a work less credible.
DeleteThanks Rohit! :)
DeleteGreat post Pratik! I found it really interesting how you mentioned that this technique allowed the reader to sympathize with Said, I had never thought of it this way. Do you think this allows Mahfouz to establish authenticity in his message?
ReplyDeleteThanks Farah! :)
DeleteYes, I do think the stream of consciousness technique makes Mahfouz seem more credible and adds to the authenticity of this text.