Narrative: Stream of Consciousness

Naguib Mahfouz approached narration uniquely in his novel, The Thief and the Dogs. Throughout the book, Mahfouz continuously shifts between third-person narration and a first-person narration, however, the first-person narration links more specifically to the stream of consciousness narrative technique. In using this technique, Mahfouz is developing the characterization of the protagonist, Said Mahran, providing the readers with clearer understandings.

The stream of consciousness narrative is a technique that describes the flow of what is happening through the mind of the character. It provides insight on their thoughts, opinions and ideas on events and conflicts occurring throughout the plot. In the Thief and the Dogs, it can clearly be seen when Mahfouz switches between the two narrative techniques of third-person and stream of consciousness as he changes the font of the writing. Whenever readers are inside Mahran's mind, the words will be italicized. This provides a clear distinction. This style of narration can also be classified as an internal monologue that exhibits the chaotic thoughts and emotions the character is going through giving the audience a sense of realism.

In the Thief and the Dogs, readers are reading events from a third-person perspective, and only after read about how the event impacted Mahran through reading his thoughts. Mahfouz wants the readers to form their own ideas and assumptions about the events happening in the plot before reading Mahran's point of view. After reading Mahran's point of view, reader's ideas of what had happened could potentially change. In chapters two and three, Mahfouz gives the readers a bit of insight into Said's thoughts on whether Rauf Ilwan has changed much since he has seen him last. At this point in the plot, the readers do not know much about Rauf other than the fact that he works for a newspaper. Through the stream of consciousness narrative, Mahfouz creates assumptions and slightly foreshadows the possibilities of what Rauf has become during the time period that Mahran has been in jail in stating things such as, “I wonder what you’re like now, Rauf? Will he have changed, like you, Nabawiyya?”, and “I’ll have to look in the telephone directory and find your home address.” By only knowing this limited knowledge of Rauf’s character, readers are given the opportunity to construct their own ideas on Rauf.

After their encounter, readers enter Said’s mind once again where he reflects on the man Rauf has become, “So this is the real Rauf Ilwan, the naked reality”. Later in this narration, Mahran thinks “You made me, and now you reject me” and “I wonder if you ever admit, even to yourself, that you betrayed me”. Mahfouz uses this event to characterize Said in a manner that shows the readers how much hurt and betrayal his character has gone through.