Narration in the Novel “A Grain of Barley”

Abstract

This research aims to explore the narrative element in the novel “A Grain of Barley” by Ahmad Al-Rawaz.Al-Rawazhas.demonstrated exceptional creativity in this work. Studies on contemporary novels that deal with narrative techniques are particularly significant in critical literary studies because they combine practical applications with scientific methods. “A Grain of Barley” was chosen as the main subject of this study due to its rich creative content and its possession of various narrative elements and potentials, especially the transformation in the narrative structure from traditional forms to modern innovations in Arabic novels, and the boldness in its themes. The narrative played a significant role in many events within the novel. A series of questions arose regarding the text, notably the reciprocal relationship between characters and narrative techniques: Did he use narrative forms and descriptive techniques, and how did he depict the characters? This study aims to investigate narrative techniques and temporal paradoxes, extract the narrative form, and uncover the creative aspects of the writer Abdul Sattar Nasser to develop an Arab theory in this art. It also seeks to understand the features of the characters depicted by the novelist in his narrative texts. The methodology adopted by the researcher is the descriptive analytical approach, as it is suitable for topics that require extensive interpretation and analysis. The findings revealed that narrative time is a fundamental component, as shown through the analysis of the novel’s texts, which disclosed how narrative techniques were employed to present and move the plot. The novel utilized the flashback technique to enhance the narrative, forming the general structure of the dialogue.