Narrative Structure Analysis

Naguib Mahfouz's The Thief and the Dogs  can be described as a pioneered Arabic fiction. Throughout the novel, Mahfouz alternates between direct and indirect narration, which further provides the reader with a unique and insightful look into the character's internal thoughts from the "outside looking in." Stream of consciousness traces the musings of the character and emulates the passage of thought through the mind without any inhibitors. Furthermore, the reader is provided with direct insight into the character's thought process. 

The significance of writing a novel with a stream of consciousness technique is that it creates a gripping effect for the reader, as they feel as though they are following the character through a journey. In comparison with third person omniscient, there is more emphasis placed on the structure of the text when when the stream of consciousness technique is used. In relation to this "gripping effect", the reader becomes invested in the thought process of the character, which contributes to the development of characterization for that character in particular (usually the protagonist). The information presented is therefor from the perspective of one character, and tends to relate it's focus solely on them. Hence, an emotional literary 'bond' is formed between the reader and the novel. 
Throughout Naguib Mahfouz's novel, this technique is very significant as it is used to focus on the main protagonist, Said Mahran; a thief in search of revenge. As previously said, throughout the novel Naguib drifts in and out of Said's internal thoughts, thus creating a foundation for a connection between the reader and the novel. 
Considering the cultural context is essential when examining the author's use of stream of consciousness. The novel itself was published years after the Egyptian Revolution, overthrowing the government and establishing the new regime of Nasser. These actions evidently had a large social, political, and economical impact on the individual's that would dare to rebel against the new 'regime' or speak poorly of the government. The cultural context in this case can be directly linked with Said's struggle with the government and his rejection to express his anger. As Mahfouz allows the reader to inhabit Said's mind and thought process, they are exposed to his 'real' or internal thoughts expressed as the plot moves along. Furthermore, a prominent and unique use of emotional diction is used to control the pace of the novel based on the thoughts and motives of the characters. 
By looking at the first chapter, we are exposed to this narrative style at first glance. Throughout the first chapter, there is a common blend of direct and indirect monologue along with soliloquy and third person narration. 
Chapter 1: Indirect Narration and internal monologue
The narrator presents the internal thoughts of Said in a descriptive manner, in order to emphasize the great amount of emotion in his words. This technique in particular exposes a specific moment in the novel to the reader and serves as a foundation for the rest of the contents. Although the impact on the reader may be subtle, they are still able to connect with the author's intentions. 
"Yes, you always wanted to cause a real stir, even if you were only a clown." 
DIVERT BACK TO INDIRECT 
"He was alone in the night"
All in all, Mahfouz's use of particular literary techniques enriches the reader's understanding of context and the effect on the character by displaying what makes the character unique; their internal thoughts. 
Word count: 1183

In the first awakening moments In chapter of 1 of Naguib Mahfouz’ The Thief and the Dogs, we are exposed to the main protagonist Said who has just been released from jail. Said’s attitude towards the crime is rather interesting as he exclaims that he has committed “no crime” and that it was “partly fate and circumstances, partly my sense of duty and decency that drove me to do what I did.” From the perspective of the reader, Said is depicted as one who has been emotionally damaged and seeks revenge following the betrayal of his loved ones; his wife Nabbawiyya and Illish; “Your two names merge my mind.” The story begins with indirect narration t as the narrator describes Said’s first moments out of prison as he “breathed the air of freedom”. To further elaborate on the betrayal that Said has been faced with, Naguib contradicts the feeling of freedom with oblivion by personifying his surroundings; “As the prison gate and its unconfessable miseries receded, the world—streets belabored by the sun, careening cars, crowds of people moving or still—returned.”

Naguib consistently does this with the main protagonist Said, to the effect of providing the readers with an analytical lens into Said’s emotions. A prominent example of this is when Said’s emotions overflow when he is re-introduced with his daughter. As this is a moment of tension in the novel, shifting in and out of Said’s internal monologues adds a more dramatic effect to the text. His perception of himself and the people around him play a key asset to the novel. In this crucial moment, the pace of the narrative slows down to represent this key moment in all it’s entirety.

At the beginning of the novel, one might assume that the word “thief” relates to Said, as the one who has just been released from prison. As the text develops in the first chapter, we realize that the dogs are portrayed as villains along with themes of treachery and betrayal. Furthermore, the reader can make a significant link with the dogs and Said’s enemies. In addition to this, various examples of animal imagery are used in the first chapter to portray dogs. Illish is compared to a dog when Said asks “Have you forgotten, Ilish, how you used to rub against my legs like a dog?” This juxtaposes with the image that Said displays of himself as a man that can “dive like a fish, fly like a hawk, scale walls like a rat…”. Another example follows when Said sees his daughter for the first time. He describes her as a mouse, further affecting the reader’s sympathy for both the characters of Sana and Said.

"How will he look when he first sees you? How will his eyes meet yours? Have you forgotten, Ilish, how you used to rub against my legs like a dog? It was me, wasn't it, who taught you how to stand on your own two feet, who made a man of a cigarette butt cadger? You've forgotten, Ilish, and you're not the only one: She's forgotten, too, that woman who sprang from filth, from venom, from treachery."

Chapter Fifteen: Use of soliloquies directed towards himself 

In this particular moment, the writer uses a soliloquy to offer insight into an internal conversation that the protagonist is having with himself. This provides the reader with the opportunity to reflect on the character's words and visualize his internal thoughts. Following the soliloquy, the narration diverts back to indirect narration, allowing the reader to feel as though they are "in the moment" with the main protagonist as they watch their thoughts and the actions unravel all together;