Paper 2 Perspective Outline

How can examining a literary text from different perspectives enrich our understanding of both the work and the techniques used by the writer? Base on two works studies. 

Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” and Naguib Mahfouz’s “The Thief and The Dogs” can both be read from a different perspective lenses, A post-colonial lens and a Marxist lens respectively. These unique lenses allow for each of these text’s tragic hero’s to be examples of victims of a changing social-political context. In effect, through these lenses both authors are able to make comments on the necessity of change in an every changing world 

Both authors create their protagonists as being tragic hero's, who’s actions which resulted in their downfall are justified through the different perspectives. Through a different perspective, victimization is used as a means to comment on the contextual powers which lead their protagonists to their downfall 

Through a post-colonial lens, Okonkwo can be seen as being a victim to a colonial invasion of his homeland as he attempts to protect his tradition and values 

Through a Marxist lens, Said can be seen as being a victim to the bourgeoise and the tensions between the social classes 

Both authors are unique structural techniques which can be explained and justified through a different perspective. These structural can be seen as reflection of the social context each of the authors are writing in 

Achebe uses different structures in the first and second parts of the book to reflect the colonial invasion of Umuofia 

Naguib uses SoC with Said as means of reflecting the paranoia under Nasser, a leader who gave up previous values for a more populist rule 

Lastly, both author’s themes can be seen as a critical comment on contextual issues when observed from different perspectives, that the necessity of change in a changing world is necessary for survival  

Characterization Analysis

This Passage reveals Said’s interpretation of the actions he has committed in the novel so far, which creates an element of characterization of Said as he slowly descends into madness. This characterization through his inner monologue uses the literary technique of stream of consciousness, which taps into the protagonist's unfiltered thoughts. The significance of this scene to Said’s character is that his Hubris reaches a climax as he acquits himself of his crimes in a mock trial, as he can only see himself as justified in his path of revenge. 

Through the use of stream of consciousness Said addresses the mock hurry in his mind, with a question that the reader most likely also has at this point, “You must assert that the treachery has become a silent conspiracy”. As up until this point in the novel, Said has killed two innocent men on his path to vengeance, and we the reader hasn’t seen any critical reflection by Said on his actions. As such, Naguib utilizes the stream of consciousness to answer this question. “. Rauf Ilwan's servant was killed because, quite simply, he was the servant of Rauf Ilwan” this characterizes Said’s hubris. As Said sees that his actions are justified on the basis that it was off revenge. Preventing the character from having any form of an anagnorisis, making his coming downfall more a message for the flexibility of change for the current Egyptian context.  

This is furthermore explored through the use of imagery of a courtroom. “Yes, these words will glitter; they'll be crowned with a not-guilty verdict. You are sure of what you say. And apart from that, they will believe, deep down, that your profession is lawful, a profession of gentlemen at all times”. This furthers Said's inner conflict as he is driven more into madness. Additionally, it provides an element of characterization as the reader sees Said's delusion of his actions and his senseless flawed moral code backed by his belief in revenge. 

Lastly, Naguib uses a third person narration to further characterize Said’s Hubris. “Then the verdict came down: that he was a great man, truly great in every sense of the word. His greatness might be momentarily shrouded in black”. Naguib shows how Said has slowly descended into a state of madness. He sees himself as a great man for his actions which contradicts his actions of killing. Naguib comments on though he is somewhat morally justified for the actions of which he has committed, he is still lead down a tragic hero path for his inability to recognize his moral flaw.

Stream of Consciousness

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

• the stream of consciousness narrative technique and how it is used to characterize Said Mahran 
• specific elements of language and style and its effect  
• Mahfouz’s context of production 
• Mahfouz’s literary context 

• “The thief and the dogs” by Naguib Mahfouz is an Egyptian modernism novel, following the tragic hero of Said Mahran and his inability to change. Naguib's novel employs the style of stream of consciousness narration in the novel. This narrative style creates a unique piece of psychological realis, which taps into the protagonist unfiltered thoughts and motivations. Highlighted in Italics, stream of consciousness is a structural shift from a third person omniscient narration to a first-person recollection of thoughts. The unfiltered thoughts primarily allow for significant characterization as well as revealing events that are still undisclosed to the reader. Additionally, the styles provide clues to the character’s mental condition, intellect, and emotional stability. An example of the use of this technique is from the very beginning of the book in chapter one. Just getting released from jail, Said’s reactions and initial responses to being released are revealed. His betrayal and resentment towards Ilish and Nabawiyya are reveal through these streams of consciousness. Thus, provides an effective exposition into the story, while at the same time revealing Said’s motivations as a characterization of his overall character. Another significant event of this use of style comes in chapter 17, where Said is contemplating his actions after he killed an innocent man. The stream of consciousness used provides further characterization for Said Mahran. It expresses Said's feeling of guilt for the killing of an innocent man. He also is shown to be somewhat even more critical about his own future, worrying about his fate. Surprisingly he doesn't worry about how he is prosecution, but rather he is more concerned with how he will deal with Ilwan. Lastly, Said still sees he actions as being justified and necessary in his own flawed moral code. The shifting between stream of conscious and third person narrative create a portrayal of the madness which Said is being driven into. He is described as talking to himself and playing out his trial within his head. The tone of his inner consciousness is that of a vindictive tone, reflecting Said's clear motivation of revenge against his perpetrators. The trial imagery can reflect how Mahfouz himself feels like he is being treated with injustices. Lastly, in terms of context the stream of consciousness is a reflection of the suppression of intellectuals by Nasser’s domestic policies. Mahfouz said in an interview that “A simple crime tale became a philosophical meditation on the times! I subjected the main character, Sayyid Mahran, to all my confusion, my perplexities.” Thus, the stream of consciousness is reflective of Mahfouz’s own suppression under the Nasser regime, and how he uses the stream of consciousness. All in all, Mahfouz utilizes streams of consciousness to allows for further characterization, effective exposition, and to reflect the contextual suppression of Mahfouz in the time writing the book.