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.