Stream of Consciousness Narration in TTATD

     The Thief and the Dogs, written by Naguib Mahfouz, was seen as a pioneer for Arabic novels. Such was especially due to the author’s use of modernism, which was seen as a step forward from the previous genre of realism. The author was a modernist himself, as having a lost faith in society following the Egyptian revolution. There as, the main character narrated throughout the novel reflects his own confusion at the time. 

     As before, Arabic novels revolved around the genre of realism, known as realistic fiction, which was focused on character and class. However, The Thief and the Dogsincorporated use of modernism genre in order to present common themes of alienation and loveless society. More closely, Mahfouz produced a novel of psychological realism, which combines elements of realism and modernism genre in order to express the deep complexities of a character’s thoughts and motives. Within this specific genre comes the use of stream of consciousnessnarrative style. 

     Stream of consciousness narration is seen through a continuous flow of a character’s mental process. Such includes fundamental humane elements that were not clearly expressed in previous genres, including: emotions, memories and half-conscious thoughts. Within the text, stream of consciousness narration is seen through un-structured punctuation, direct interior monologue and evoked reminiscences. However, S.O.C narration is accompanied with third person omniscient narration in order to provide stability within the plot, as to balance disorganized thoughts with orderly narration. 

     Said Mahran, the protagonist of the novel, is characterized throughout the novel with several antagonistic actions. Use of stream of consciousness narration allows the reader access to Said’s thoughts, which may help in providing justification for his actions. As such, direct interior monologue is often implied when the character has become very ‘unlikable’. Allowing access to his thoughts further shows the reader how he perceives his external surroundings, and to represent to the reader how he chooses to develop within the circumstances he is faced with. Mahfouz may have chosen to do so in order to gain reader empathy and allow the reader to create a self-chosen relationship with the protagonist. As well, the reader remains manipulated by the author’s choice of narration, as by constantly provoking sympathy for the protagonist. Altogether, it allows for the protagonist to be ‘humanized’ through very ‘inhumane’ circumstances.

     Stream of consciousness narration is used to mirror the mental state of the protagonist. There as, the way the character expresses their thoughts through interior monologue provides insights into their emotional stability, as well as intellect. Throughout the novel, direct interior monologue varies in its ability to remain orderly. As such, when Said feels panicked after committing murder or not being sure of the whereabouts of a love-interest, the stream of consciousness narration becomes ever-so disorganized as to reflect his distressed mental state. This idea of reflected mental state becomes well visible through the exposure of Said’s inability to control the circumstances with which he has to deal with. 

     Stream of consciousness narration is important in providing balanced exposure to the protagonist’s internal conflict as well as external conflict. There as, through Said’s interactions with societal forces, the reader becomes aware of the metaphoric representation of these bodies as well as his inability to control them. However, the reader becomes heavily invested with Said Mahran, with their perception of the happenings of the novel are skewed only towards him. There as, other characters of the novel are not characterized to a near detail as Said Mahran.