Arabic Literature

Investigating Structural Codes in Contemporary Lebanon Novel Case Study “Al-Khaṭāyā al-shā'i'ah”

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Ftemeh Akbarizadeh 1
Roghieh Rostampour 2

1 Assistant Professor Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jalit.2021.303388.612230
Abstract
Literary text, includes various types of signs. These signs are interweaved in various implicational layers. Barthes in his post-structural reading tries to distinguish five types of codes, among which three types of codes namely connotative code, symbolic code, and cultural code enlightens the structural implication of the text along with the hypertext elements. In this respect, analyzing these codes will indicate the meaning of the text. This article uses the Barthes' method to read contemporary Lebanese novel and in addition to representing the narrative structure, pays attention to the representation of its intellectual structures. Therefore, during this study, the novel of " Al-khaṭāyā al-shā'i'ah (Common Mistakes)" by Fattan al-Mur, with an anthropological approach toward resistance, was analyzed at three levels of connotative, symbolic, and cultural codes. Connotative code studies an implicit meaning in the characteristics of the characters and their action in the story. At the level of cultural code, the cultural and ideological space of the value system of fictional discourse, and in the symbolic code, symbols emphasized in the story were analyzed. .. The analysis of these codes using Barthes' critical approach through the descriptive-analytic method indicated that the novel, in the case of connotative codes depicts the living conditions in Lebanon in the shadow of terror, insecurity, war, and conflict. In such type of condition, a paradoxical manner is also described, full of peace and security of European life and the image of the characters of these two environments with appropriate features. Therefore, the story does not represent a black and white image of European and Lebanese characters but introduces them through aspects such as courage and patriotism as a shared aspect of the fighters. In cultural or referential codes, "martyrdom" and "martyrdom-seeking" are central values in the story, not only independent of the ideology of Muslims but beyond the religion and belief of a nation are also rooted in the culture of patriotism, the spirit of honor, and resistance. At the level of symbolic codes, the story with a realistic approach provides just one example of the character of a female fighter as the symbolic code.

Keywords

Contemporary Arabic Novel
Barthes
Structural Codes
al- Khaṭāyā al-shā'i'ah
Fattan al-Mur
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Arabic Literature
Volume 13, Issue 3
Autumn 2021
Pages 1-21

  • Receive Date 26 June 2020
  • Revise Date 25 January 2021
  • Accept Date 09 March 2021

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