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

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

Mahfouz implements the stream of consciousness narrative focusing primarily on the anarchist protagonist ‘Said Mahran’.

Under his skewed system of justice, readers are fully encapsulated in the mindset of Said through Flashbacks and evoked

reminiscence, therefore as to capture his mental scheme and his motivations the gives validity and reason in his actions.

The novel “The Thief and the Dogs” implements a narrative which creates the illusion that the reader is previous of

sensations and uncensored thoughts within a character’s mind. Fully enveloping psychological tendencies and motivations

specific to the character. Mahfouz implements this specific narrative through expositional flashbacks of Said Maharanas

life. all set prior post revolutionized Egypt. The implementation of constantly evoked reminiscence and the sequences of

flashbacks help somewhat emphasize with Said and humanize him. Overall characterizing Said through his search of

skewed justice. This dichotomy between his reminiscences and the actions he faces after his release in prison are what

balances Saids character and acts as a point to somewhat justify him and refer/develop his mental state.

Mahfouz implements varies instances in the novel where this type of narration is used to further characterize Said. A

prominent example is exhibited through chapters 11. Where it undergoes a flashback; in which Said’s mother is gravely ill

and the disappearance of his father. This extract fully evokes Said’s mental state as to why he hates the post-revolutionary

system.

“And then your mother died. You almost died yourself during your mother's illness, as Rauf Ilwan must surely remember,

from that unforgettable day when she had hemorrhaged and you had rushed her to the nearest hospital, the Sabir hospital,

standing like a castle amidst beautiful grounds, where you found yourself and your mother in a reception hall at an

entrance more luxurious than anything you could ever have imagined possible. The entire place seemed forbidding, even

hostile, but you were in the direst need of help, immediate help.

As the famous doctor was coming out of a room, they mentioned his name and you raced towards him in your

gallabeya and sandals, shouting, "My mother! The blood!"

“The man had fixed you in a glassy, disapproving stare and had glanced where your mother was lying, stretched out in her

filthy dress on a soft couch, a foreign nurse standing nearby, observing the scene. Then the doctor had simply

disappeared, saying nothing.”

The death of his mother helps readers give some sense of empathy and humanizes Said. It's through the little exposition of

flashbacks that helps us sympathize with Said and further delve in the mindset of Said Mahran. In turn, Saids external and

internal conflicts with society are fully exemplified as his this flashback gives the perspective of the dissemblance of Egypt

system as the flashback is heavily derivative of victimization upon Said's end as a portrayal of the impoverished sector of

Egypt.

Mahfouz utilized contextual flashbacks in order to characterize Said’s relationships. A prime example would be in chapters

ten and one. Where the infidelity of Nabawiyya is metrically determined through Said's flashbacks and the interactions with

Sana. This is further reinstated through a series of evoked reminiscences where Mahfouz implements some exposition

regarding the relationship between Nabawiyya and Said. In chapters 10-12 the reminiscences of Said’s marriage develops

how metrically painful the end of his relationship is. These reminiscences reflect the conflicts between Nabawiyya and

Said. Referencing Nabawiyya’s relationship through positive diction “She was like some lovely melody” Said references

himself in the third person as if he was referring to a different person. This reminiscence reflects on his conflicts with

Nabawiyya.

As the novels develop the mindset of Said becomes ever more conflicted with the relationships with Nur and ‘the dogs’ and

the deprivation from being isolated has evidently ended with Said needing more a consciousness narrative. This confusion

and complexity of Said’s mindset could parallel the Egyptian revolution as to hint upon its perplexity regarding the authors

and minorities perspective. This ideology is exemplified through Said as a character and his confusion is further reinstated

by a series of flashbacks and conscientious narratives in order to correlate Mahfouz feelings of confusion post

revolutionary Egypt.