stream

Naguib Mahfouz follows the conventions of a psychological modernist novel. Throughout the Thief and the Dogs Mahfouz uses the technique of stream of consciousness to explore the psychological state of its main character.  This exploration of Said’s character through stream of consciousness was not only a means for deeper, more meaningful character development, but also a method for exploring deeper themes of the text as well as reflecting the political and social tone of the novel’s context of production. An example of the stream of consciousness being used as a means for characterization and understanding character motivations is at the start of the novel after Said is released from prison “Nabawiyya. Ilish. Your two names merge in my mind. For years you will have been thinking about this day, never imagining, all the while, that the gates would ever actually open. You'll be watching now, but I won't fall into the trap. At the right moment, instead, I'll strike like Fate._ _And Sana? What about Sana?”. In this passage Naguib makes the reader aware of the stream of consciousness as he uses italics, in addition Naguib uses first person narration in favour of third person narration so the audience is deeply immersed in the character of Said, in addition the audience is now more aware of the struggles of the main character. For these reasons Naguib uses stream of consciousness throughout his novels.