A Sociological Analysis of the Novel ‘The Fourth Man’ by Mohamed bin Saif Al-Rahbi Based on the Theory of Symbolic Interactionism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, shahid Chmran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Master student in Department of Arabic language and literature, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran,

10.22091/npa.2026.15636.1053

Abstract

Symbolic interaction theory, as one of the prominent frameworks of sociology, focuses on how meaning is formed in the context of human interactions. According to this perspective, individuals, when faced with persons, objects, and situations, act based on their own interpretation of them. Georg Simmel should be regarded as the first thinker who addressed this interaction from the perspective of meaning; hence, meaning is not fixed but emerges through the ongoing process of interaction, interpretation, and reflection. The aim of this research is to analyze the sociological components in the novel “The Fourth Man” by Mohamed bin Saif Al-Rahbi based on the theory of Symbolic Interactionism. This study has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The findings indicate that the novel is structured around four main components: self, other, meaning, and symbol. The ‘self’ is considered a dynamic identity, redefined through emotional experiences and social situations. The ‘other’ plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ identities and perceptions, serving as a central axis for emotional experience. ‘Meaning’ arises from diverse interpretations of memory, love, language, and place, and is viewed as a variable and continuous phenomenon. ‘Symbol’ is represented through elements such as silence, the sea, distance, flight, and music, revealing the hidden layers of characters’ emotions and inner states. Through linguistic and non-linguistic cues, the characters achieve a shared understanding of situations, an understanding that emerges from the process of mutual interpretation.

Keywords

Article Title [العربیة]

تحلیل سوسیولوجی لروایة «الرجل الرابع» لمحمد بن سیف الرحبی بناءً على النظریة الأدبیة للتفاعل الرمزی

Abstract [العربیة]

نظریة التفاعل الرمزی إحدى الأطر البارزة فی علم الاجتماع، ترکز على کیفیة تشکیل المعنى فی سیاق التفاعلات البشریة. وفقاً لهذه الرؤیة، یتصرف الأفراد عند مواجهة الأشخاص أو الأشیاء أو المواقف بناءً على تفسیرهم الخاص لها. یُعد جورج زیمل أول مفکر تناول هذا التفاعل من منظور المعنى؛ وبناءً على ذلک، فالمعنى لیس ثابتاً، بل یتشکل عبر عملیة مستمرة من التفاعل والتأویل وإعادة التفکیر. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحلیل المکونات السوسیولوجیة فی روایة "الرجل الرابع" لمحمد بن سیف الرحبی، بناءً على نظریة التفاعل الرمزی. وقد أُجری هذا البحث بالمنهج الوصفی - التحلیلی. وتشیر النتائج إلى أن هذه الروایة تتشکل على أساس أربعة مکونات رئیسیة، وهی: الذات، والآخر، والمعنى، والرمز. فـ "الذات" فی هذا العمل تُعتبر هویة دینامیکیة تعید تعریف نفسها فی التجارب العاطفیة والمواقف الاجتماعیة. کما یلعب "الآخر"، بوصفه أحد المحاور الرئیسیة للتجربة العاطفیة فی الروایة، دوراً مهماً فی هویة الشخصیات وإدراکها. ویتشکل "المعنى" من خلال التفسیرات المتنوعة للذاکرة والحب واللغة والمکان، ویُعتبر أمراً متغیراً ومستمراً. أما "الرمز" فیمثل من خلال عناصر مثل الصمت والبحر والمسافة والطیران والموسیقى، الطبقات الخفیة للمشاعر والحالات الداخلیة للشخصیات. وقد توصلت الشخصیات إلى فهم مشترک للمواقف من خلال الإشارات اللغویة وغیر اللغویة، وهذا الفهم نتج عن عملیة التفسیر المتبادل.

Keywords [العربیة]

  • سوسیولوجیا الأدب
  • التفاعل الرمزی
  • محمد بن سیف الرحبی
  • الرجل الرابع

References

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 23 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 February 2026
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026

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