Said as a Tragic Hero

What is Said's tragic flaw?

Throughout "The Thief and the Dogs", Said's inability to acknowledge his own flaws fails him. To elaborate on this point, Said's fatal flaw appears to be his unwillingness to forgive those who have done him wrong and his unwillingness to move forward and let go of the past. As all tragic heroes do, their demise is met ironically. Said's long awaited quest for revenge fails him when he meets his own demise. His angry and troubled personality is evident throughout the first chapter as Said's inner monologues reveal his personal thoughts that guides the reader throughout the novel. 

How does he display excessive pride?

As Said is fueled with a troubled reality, he is quick to critique those around him but is unable to recognize fault in himself and his presents life. A prominent example of this is evident when Said is re-acquainted with Rauf for the first time since his release. Rauf's newly found success angers Said as he is unable to accept change. 

When is his reversal of fortunes?

When we are first introduced to Said, he is presented as a thief that seeks revenge for his betrayal; one that the readers can't help but feel sympathy for. As his character's emotional journeys are revealed through his inner monologues, there are many events throughout the novel that could be considered as moments of "reversal" of his fortunes. For example, when Said commits his first murder. From this point onwards, Said's trail of fortune is reversed and rapidly continues to lead him into a final downward spiral.

The Thief and The Dogs - Chapter 12 passage analysis

"Rauf Ilwan," Said pleaded aloud, "tell me how it is that time can bring such terrible changes to people!"Not just a revolutionary student, but revolution personified as a student. Your stirring voice, pitching itself downward towards my ears as I sat at my father's feet in the courtyard of the building, with a force to awaken the very soul. And you'd talk about princes and pashas, transforming those fine gentlemen with your magic into mere thieves. And to see you on the Mudiriyya Road, striding out amidst your men you called your equal as they munched their sugar cane in their flowing galabiyyas, when your voice would reach such a pitch that it seemed to flow right over the field and make the palm tree bow before it--unforgettable.

Yes, there was a strange power in you that I found nowhere else, not even in Sheikh Ali al-Junaydi.

That's how you were, Rauf. To you alone goes the credit for my father enrolling me in school. You'd roar with delighted laugher at my success. "Do you see now?" you'd say to my father, "You didn't even want him to get an education. Just you look at those eyes of his; he's going to shake things to their foundations!" You taught me to love reading. You discussed everything with me, as If I were your equal. I was one of your listeners--at the foot of the same tree where the history of my love began--and the times themselves were listening to you too: "The people! Theft The holy fire! The rich! Hunger! Justice!" 

Analysis

The passage above reveals Said Mahran's growing anger towards his ex-accomplice Rauf, who's current success and personal growth disappoints him. Mahfouz depicts Said's emotional pain by delving deeper into the protagonist's stream of consciousness as he tumbles over his disturbing thoughts. This sentiment resonates throughout the rest of the text as Said continues to reminisce over old memories of his past that now anger him in the present.

Through the use of both indirect and direct monologue Mahfouz, Said expresses his inner thoughts as he contemplates how "time can bring such terrible changes to people." This bold statement emphasizes the significance of examining Said's relationship with Rauf in both the past and the present. Said's internal monologues allows the reader to  gain access into Said's past and present as his story reveals itself progressively throughout the novel through the use of flashbacks and his internal monologues. For example, in this particular passage we learn more about the relationship that Said used to have with Rauf 4 years ago before he was imprisoned. We learn that Said looked up to Rauf as a father, as he appeared as a teacher, a parent, and a devoted friend to Said. "You discussed everything with me, as If I were your equal." This empathetic bond between the reader and the characters is amplified when Mahfouz uses a metaphor to describe Said's devotion to Rauf.

The experience of peering into Said's deeper thoughts, especially at this moment in time in the novel, allows the reader to truly understand the meaning of his past and make relevant observations. When Said is released from prison after 4 years, he is exposed to the evident changes that the Egyptian revolution has brought amongst him. The changes that he sees are "not just a revolutionary student , but revolution personified as a student." Mahfouz's use of personification further emphasizes the intensity of Said's conceptual thoughts and emotions. As he is exposed to the realities of treachery, the reader can only question what is to come.

Ultimately, the final line of the passage reinforces the significance of Said's anger and thoughts of betrayal against Rauf. Again, Said shares his underlying pain as he exaggerates the "history of their love". Mahfouz use of concise yet powerful wording adds a dramatic end to the passage as Said somewhat exclaims the main themes of the novel, "the people! Thef! The holy fire! The rich! Hunger! Justice!". Henceforth, Said's societal placement is clearly represented as he exclaims fury towards the upper class.

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; 

The Value of Studying Literature in Translation

So what is it all about? The study of literature is a new opened lens that allows us to explore other areas of life that we are not yet familiar with, forcing us to expand our thoughts and minds. When studying this, it is not only beneficial to us as language and literature students but is also something that can be recognized by a larger audience.

 Literature is literature. Whether a novel be written in English, Spanish, or French the works of author appeal to their audience. When a text is translated, the context of the story is transformed into a medium where English speakers like us can understand them. But what is so valuable about this? When the author transforms a story by translating it, the study becomes more enriching from the point of view of the translator. Stories being read by different cultures broadens the lens for interpretation and perspectives. Although literature in translation may be seen as beneficial to a larger field of literature, challenges are bound to occur when "transferring" a piece of work into someone else's hands for translation. Although translated works will never fully conform to the original piece of work, a strong appreciation for literature remains to be prominent by showing the evident necessity to share pieces of writing throughout the world.

 As a language and literature student, focusing on understanding the background of the author and the setting of the story allows us to understand the struggles and differences of the culture. Furthermore, literature in translation can be seen as a medium for communication done through different unique cultural lenses.

Paper 2 Outline Practice

1. In Things Fall Apart, to what extent has an awareness of context enriched or enhanced your understanding?

- Nigerian independence in 1958

- The vision of Africa prior 

Hence, it can be said that Achebe challenges the portrayal of Africa from European literature by creating a novel that establishes traditional Igbo culture with specificity and sympathy and examines the effects of European colonialism from an African perspective.

Topic Sentence 1

The cultural context in which the plot is set is prominent through the series of events that occur along with the consistent use of characterization throughout the novel.

Topic Sentence 2

Throughout the novel, an awareness of the Igbo tradition versus hegemony serves as a foundation for many of the arising conflicts.

Topic Sentence 3

The conflict between generations is portrayed through the development of complex characters and their involvement in presenting the power of colonial influence.

2. How do the conflicts between characters in TFA reflect the kinds of conflicts from the time and place in which the text was written?

Both the conflicts between power and colonial influence are implemented into the text through Achebe’s complex characters to serve as a lens into the cultural conflicts that the characters face as the plot develops. Hence, it can be said that the development of characters serve as an insightful viewpoint into the struggles of the European colonial movement and an ever-changing Igbo society. 

Topic Sentence 1 

The idea presented of "tradition VS change" presents itself as one of the most prominent and significant conflicts throughout the novel.

Topic Sentence 2

Although major conflicts arise around the idea of change, the complexity of the characters causes major conflicts between generations.

Topic Sentence 3

- Village VS the missionaries 

- The power of the colonizers 

- They are seen as oppressors 

- When Okonkwo returns and Nyoye is being educated in the church 

Paper 1 Intro

Comparing Two text types

The texts, "The Great White Fleet" and “Squatters take on developers" are two different text types with the intention to inform their audience on the general subject of tourism. The first text,  is an advertisement for the cruise company, “The Great White Fleet” published in the early 1900’s; post war years before WWII. This text's sensational tone and aesthetically appealing structure conforms to its informative nature.The audience of high class are  persuaded through the advert’s use of an exotic mood, superlative statements, and strategic structure of persuasive and appealing images. In addition to this, the second text, the article "Squatters take on developers" projects a rather moralistic and concerned tone as the article addresses corporate social injustice within the tourism industry. While both texts revolve around a central theme of expansion and development in South America, the value and style of each is grounded in the intended purpose, target audience and overall differing style found in both texts.

The common theme of tourism and expansion prominent in of both text A and text B is evident in their similar choice of target audience. The first text, “The Great White Fleet” is evidently aimed towards middle to high class aristocrats. This is evident in terms of the use of language used within the advertisement in order to convince the audience of the cruise’s benefits which carried “only first class passengers” to “resorts up north”, clearly identifying the target audience as particularly young and wealthy individuals. Likewise, text B “Squatters take on developers” is aimed towards large group of investors who are considering investing in property in the Caribbean due to their “tremendous lust for the coastline”.

Although there is a notable comparison between the two in terms of their target audience, the purpose of the two are entirely contrasted. In the advertisement “The Great White Fleet”, the intended purpose is to ultimately appeal to the higher standing social class through the use of the company’s new “reduced rates for summer cruises”. In comparison to the positive connotations presented in text 1, text 2 presents a rather negative purpose. While the text “Squatters take on developers” is targeted towards a higher social class similar to text 1, the writer’s purpose is to inform investors whom may not be aware of the impact of their actions within the tourism industry. Hence, in comparison to text 1, this text is rather negative and serves as a call for action instead of a call for tourism.

When analyzing both texts, it is important to consider the fact that they were both published during different time periods, evidently affecting the content. As previously mentioned, text 1 is an advertisement for the cruise company “The Great White Fleet” that travels around Central America and the Caribbean. The ad itself was published in 1922, the post war years prior to WWII. Essentially, the fact that the advertisement is aimed towards high class wealthy individuals further supports the fact that the text was published during a time of economic boom and surplus prior to the Great Depression, hence allowing people to travel. When comparing this content with text 2, it is a statement of corporate social injustice within the tourism industry in Panama published in 2007. As previously said, while both texts surround the same central theme of expansion within the Caribbean, they both present very different ideologies.

Conversely, both texts present contrasting tone and moods which aid in differing their content from another. Throughout the advertisement, “The Great White Fleet” the author presents a rather pretentious tone as a way of targeting the appropriate “first class” audience. In addition to this, the text is read in a very casual and comfortable tone allowing the audience to fully embrace themselves in the aim of the advertisement; appealing to their desires of an affordable cruise. This pretentious tone further supports the exotic mood that the text delivers. On the other hand in text 2, the tone and mood is rather moralistic and concerned as a means of presenting the seriousness of the content in the text. While the cruise is “much cooler than summer resorts” the fact that investors are thinking of spending their money on property in the Caribbean means that “developers have targeted an emerging demographic”.

Regardless of their similar theme, text A and text B are comparable in their style and structure that ultimately conform to their text type. In the advertisement (text A), the audience’s eye is particularly drawn to the descriptive graphics at the top and bottom of the page, drawing attention to the text at the center of the advertisement. Knowing that was published in the post WWI years, we can’t help but notice that the “WHITE” in the title is on a black background, used to emphasize the connection between race and social class. Furthermore, this caters to the mentality at the time of what was considered “high class”, white people being superior. To the contrary, while text A’s text is kept simple and concise, text B is composed of 9 short paragraphs, keeping the audience alert through the use of a traditional article style that captures the gist. There are no images presented, which contributes to the fact that the article takes on serious and concerned tone, further emphasizing its core purpose.

In conclusion, both texts are comparable in the ideologies that they shape and express towards their audience regarding the central theme of expansion and “colonization” of exotic islands in the Caribbean. While both texts differ the most in their ultimate purpose, overall context and style, both bring attention to different subject matters. All in all, both texts are effective in pursuing their main purpose to their specific target audience through the use of stylistic elements, writing techniques, and clever use of tone and mood.

Be a Thinker!

The above is a propaganda poster targeted towards the general public as a means of delivering an empowering message about the power that true “thinkers” have over the world. Throughout the poster I have used several efficient propaganda techniques that further support my intended purpose. Firstly, to the far right of the poster an outstanding picture of Steve Jobs along with a quote alongside him. This effective use of a picture of someone that was influential in the world and well respected clearly displays this piece of propaganda as a testimonial. Ultimately, by displaying an image of an inspirational figure such as Jobs will further encourage people to perform in a particular fashion. In addition to this, I think that it is important to point out the strategic use of language used in this piece of propaganda along with it’s effect. By using inclusive language such as “We” and “together” evokes a sense of belonging to the audience, hence emphasizing the main message highlighted in the poster; founding a bandwagon effect. 

In terms of the style and structure of the poster, both the use of text and image is equally proportionate to one another. As seen above, the words highlighted in yellow are used to stand out to the audience. The display itself is minimalistic in terms of images used, in order to emphasize the text found on the poster such as the image of Steve Jobs. In addition to this, the words highlighted in yellow are also enlarged as a means of standing out to the audience; they have a deeper effect on them.