Stream of consciousness is a form of interior monologue which depicts the thoughts and emotions of characters in a text. The stream of consciousness technique was regularly grounded in innumerable western texts. Naguib Mahfouz was the first Arab author to utilize this technique in his 1961 novel "The Thieves and the Dogs". Stream of consciousness dominates the entire novel and plays an imperative role in the unfolding of the plot and the characterization of the protagonist Said.
Through the use of the stream of consciousness technique, Naguib was able to create the illusion that the readers are aware of the emotions and thoughts within the character's mind before the character transitions these thoughts into any rational form or shape. In "The Thieves and the Dogs", Naguib alternates between third person narration and Said's interior monologue in order to provide the readers with a closer connection with the protagonist (Said) than if it were solely third person.
Chapter 1 is momentous in the unfolding of the plot. Naguib Mafouz uses direct and indirect narration as well as soliloquy in order to set the tone for the entire novel. Also, this type of narration establishes the direction of the novel and provides a form of foreshadowing. One instance of this can be seen
"Nabbawiyya. 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."
Through the implementation of this soliloquy, Naguib was able to successfully portray Said's internal struggles and his lust for revenge towards his ex wife and his former friend.
The advantages of using this technique include the fact that through the constant transition between third person and internal monologue the readers are able to witness both aspects of the story (the protagonist's thoughts and reality), Also, the narration allows for further characterization of the protagonist, for instance we as the audience can witness Said's two-faced personality through what is occurring in reality (conversation between him and his guests) and what is happening internally in his thoughts. One disadvantage is that only one character's thoughts are portrayed which negates other characters depiction of things, which would have otherwise potentially been be completely different,
Good background information regarding stream of conciousness and how Naguib was the first to introduce it in his writings to the arab world. Better implementation of quotes and link with the text should be considered.
ReplyDeleteA bit short, prompt, and lacking in demonstration of your awareness of the other aspects of the novel, but what has been commented on is a valuable provision of further understanding on the novel. Suggestions include some examples from chapters other than the first, such as to indicate deeper knowledge of the text.
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