Stream of Consciousness

How, why, and to what effect does Mahfouz use stream-of-consciousness narration in the novel?

Consider:

o   the stream of consciousness narrative technique and how it is used to characterize Said Mahran

o   specific elements of language and style and its effect

o   Mahfouz’s context of production

o   Mahfouz’s literary context

In order to respond to this prompt effectively you are required to use evidence from multiple chapters in the text.

Extension- Comment on how Mahfouz’s narrative style or purpose shares similarities or differences with Achebe.

Minimum 600 words

In “The Thief and the Dogs,” the author, Naguib Mahfouz, alternates between a direct and indirect narration, particularly utilizing stream of consciousness, thus pioneering for this narrative structure for Arabic fiction. This literary technique enables the author to create the illusion that the reader is privy to sensations and uncensored thoughts within a character’s mind before the character has ordered them into any rational from or shape, thus making the reader immersed within the protagonist’s thoughts. 

The significance of this narrative technique places emphasis on the inner subconscious state of the main character, Said Mahran, in relation to his journey after imprisonment, into a post-revolutionary Egypt, wherein Mahfouz is able to transfer back and forth easily between the two varying narrations to depict Said transition and decaying mental state, as he aims to cope with rage, anger, revenge and betrayal. Unlike the rest of the novel, which is written in 3^rd person omniscient, the stream of consciousness presents glimpses of Said’s past, most of which comes in the form of evoked reminiscences. This is not to say that Mahfouz completely deviated from the literary conventions at that time. By utilising a modernist approach, all the while pioneering for the stream of consciousness narration, he developed a unique piece of psychological realis. A primary example of this can be see through the flashback Said experiences in chapter 4, where he recalls the deceit and betrayal of his mentor, ex-wife and henchman. This entire section switches back and forth between the plot events and Said’s personal feelings, thereby revealing his innermost feelings, where he claims that it left him, “lost--rootless, worthless, without hope--a betrayal so vile that if the whole Muqattam hill toppled over and buried it, [he] still would not be satisfied.” This not only displays the unique features of the stream of consciousness, which conveys Said’s struggle to control his circumstances, but further aids in manifesting his tragic flaw, regarding his inability to accept change. 

Furthermore, considering that the Novel was published years after the Egyptian Revolution, where Nasser’s consolidation of power resulted in an authoritarian regime, the political and social implications that resulted in disillusionment amongst the people are reflected through this narration, as Mahfouz himself even claims that, “ I subjected the main character, Said Mahran, to all my confusion, my perplexities…” This can be seen by Said’s disdain towards the governmental system and his struggle to accept the changes that have been made, in which stream of consciousness acts as a vehicle to communicate the duality between his reality and the real world. Therefore, the author is able to mirror his confusion concerning Said’s psyche and volatile emotions. This is highlighted by Said’s dream of being acquitted of all chargers, after he mistakenly kills two people, in the hopes of gaining justice for the circumstances placed on him. Said’s hubris permits him to strongly believe that “If there's going to be any meaning to life--and to death, too--I simply have to kill…” This not on reflects his deteriorating mental condition, but through the stream of consciousness, Mahfouz is able to provide insight so as to characterize Said as traumatized and prideful. Moreover, in chapter 10, when recalling how he met his ex-wife Nabawiyya, Said describes her as, “slow[ing] down, her neck arched like an angry cat's,” effectively coupling animal imagery along with the stream of consciousness narration in order to evoke a mental image within the reader’s mind to relay how the previous feline and gentle connotation that Said associated with his wife has now transformed into a traitorous one. This, thus evokes sympathy for Said, as the reader is able to recognize that Said’s drive for vengeance and anger are simply fueled by the hurt he has experienced. Thus, the essence of the stream of consciousness narrates itself, brining light to Said’s self-destructive nature through the internal experiences he faces. 

This differs from “Things Fall Apart,” written by China Achebe, whose choice of utilizing a third person omniscient point throughout the novel enables no singular perspective on the issue to appear, as both sides of colonialism have been depicted. This reflects Achebe’s distinct African voice, in which he challenges and counteracts the traditional conventions of western writing compared to that of Mahfouz, who switches between direct and indirect narration, in order to create a distinct contrast between a man struggling to come to terms with his reality.