A Study of the Narrative Elements in Hāfat al-Nisyān by Ahmad Ali al Zein

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A. Graduate in Arabic Language and Literature, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.

10.22091/npa.2026.15811.1056

Abstract

Ahmad Ali al Zein’s novel Hāfat al-Nisyān stands as one of the prominent examples of the prison novel in contemporary Arabic literature, portraying through an inner and outer journey the crises of existence, memory, and the search for meaning. This study aims to examine the main narrative elements in the novel—characterization, time, place, dialogue, plot, and point of view—and to analyze how the author employs these elements in constructing the narrative. The findings reveal that al Zein centers the structure around the protagonist, Abduljalil al Ghazal, whose inner conflict and evolving consciousness form the core of the novel, while secondary characters such as “Mustafa al Shibli” and “Huda” function to complement the intellectual and emotional dimensions of the hero. The temporality of the novel is non-linear, shifting repeatedly between past and present, making memory the primary driving force of the narrative. Place functions symbolically and dynamically: the desert prison embodies oppression and authority, whereas the open desert signifies loss, estrangement, and inner freedom. External dialogue exposes tensions between power and faith, while internal monologue reflects crises of identity and thought. Although the plot follows a causal structure, narrative twists impart a reflective and philosophical dimension. Overall, through an adept use of narrative elements, al Zein offers a multilayered portrayal of the human struggle with the self and the surrounding world.

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References

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 30 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 February 2026
  • First Publish Date: 21 March 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026

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