A Re-reading of the Two Novels Kafka on the Bank by Murakami and Shagarat al-Abid by Ammar Ali from the Point of View of Magical Realism Propositions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Ilam, Ilam, Iran.

2 MA in Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Ilam, Ilam, Iran.

Abstract

Basically, real symbols are unimaginative, and abstract concepts and forms are not fundamentally connected to realist symbols. However, literature carries a tradition that creates an inseparable connection between these two heterogeneous aspects of illogical thought, so that sometimes the boundary between them becomes indistinguishable. The political and social conditions in the world's troubled societies have likely inspired writers to adopt this style, prompting them to depict societal realities through a mysterious language and a symbolic combination of reality and imagination. This research has analyzed the components of magical realism in the two novels "The Tree of Al-Abid" by Ammar Ali and Kafka on the Bank by Murakami using a descriptive-analytical method. In both novels, elements such as fantasy and imagination, loneliness, socio-political situation, silence and voluntary boycott, the presence of extrasensory beings, disguise, and absurdity are prominently featured. Elements such as metamorphosis and Sufism appear exclusively in Shagarat al-Abid's novel, while absurdism and a stifling atmosphere were used only in Kafka's novel. The most prominent of these components in Shagarat al-Abid is the depiction of a stinky atmosphere and a mystical themes, whereas Kafka's novel is characterized by contrast, absurdity, and diversity. Ammar Ali addresses societal disorder, social problems, and mystical concerns, while Murakami focuses on human issues in his society, including loneliness, emptiness and death, and cultural issues. 
Introduction:
Magical realism is a branch of literary realism in which transformed realities coexist with the real world, connected through cause-and-effect relationships. On one hand, mental or metaphysical elements are portrayed as stable, eternal, and immortal elements, and they are fundamentally distant from the materialistic and tangible elements that can be measured and seen in the real world. Therefore, the mixture, combination, or application of the deep structural components of these two disparate, and sometimes contradictory, literary types requires a conscious approach and the use of precise, purposeful tools and measures. This ensures that, while preserving the originality and literary nature of each type and maintaining a clear and distinct orientation to the dramatic requirements of both genres, they provide a uniform and symmetrical texture from the combination of the heterogeneous components of these two styles, in such a way that mental emanations, fantasy imaginations, and sometimes unbelievable ideas. The author, in the framework of this school, the author integrates objective and quantitative elements in a balanced and non-institutional manner. These elements appear as imaginary or illusory sentences, phrases, or metaphysical predictions—though grounded in real facts—to express societal issues and problems.
Method:
The method of conducting this research is descriptive-analytic, which is carried out by referring to textual and citation sources in the context of library evidence, and through a comparative process with the analysis of existing data and confrontational inference. Therefore, the necessity of reaching the implementation mechanisms of such a scheme that presents asymmetrical manifestations of narrative methods in the form of integrated and valuable intellectual components - and that in two completely different literary fields (Japanese and Arabic) - clearly demonstrates the necessity of presenting such a research.
Results and Discussion:
The final and crucial point in this case is the secular, absurdist, and irreligious perspective prevalent in much of Japanese society. This worldview compels Murakami to become trapped in the abyss of nihilism during difficult periods. Through the fusion of some deviant Shinto beliefs such as the pursuit of transcendental concepts and extreme self-surrender, etc., as well as the inability to acquire epistemology and divine intuition, nihilistic propositions are manifested in the mind and language of Murakami's elements, while Ammar Ali is free from deviation in such an abyss. Finally, given the completely different intellectual and cultural atmospheres of the two novels, there is a clear difference and common view among the two authors on this basis, which has been discussed.
Conclusion:
The elements used in the two novels mentioned, from the perspective of magical realism—both common and distinct—can be summarized as follows: the intertwining of reality and fantasy, opposition, loneliness, voluntary silence, extrasensory beings, socio-political issues, mystery, myth, and defamiliarization. Some of these components appear in one story, while others appear in the other. The elements unique to the novel Shajarat al-Abid include transformation and metamorphosis, and a mystic-centered perspective. In contrast, Kafka's novel features elements such as nihilism and a hallucination, and a fetid atmosphere. In both works, the intertwining of reality and fantasy is so skillfully executed that the boundary between the two becomes indistinguishable. Murakami has created an imaginative atmosphere by introducing surreal elements such as a rain of fish and talking cats. The presence of magical and extrasensory beings in both novels is evident and contributes to the enchanting, otherworldly atmosphere of the stories. These elements create a magical ambiance that captivates the reader. The inclusion of these metaphysical beings within the materialistic world serves to bring resolution to the characters' actions.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

Article Title [العربیة]

الجدل التآزری للأخیلة الواقعیة؛ دراسة لمقولات الواقعیة السحریة فی روایتی کافکا على الشاطئ لموراکامی و شجرة العابد لعمار علی حسن

Abstract [العربیة]

فی المنظور العجائبی تکون الرموز الحقیقیة بحیث لا یمکن تخیُّلُها أو تکون مُجـانِبةً للصور الخیالیة أساسًا، والمفاهیم والأشکال المجردة لا ترتبط جوهریًا بالرموز الواقعیة، لکن وسیط الأدب هو المکان الذی یجعل هذین الجانبین المتباینین من التأملات غیر المنطقیة مرتبطین بعضهما ببعض ارتباطًا وثیقًا، بطریقة لا یمکن أحیانًا تمییز الحدود بینهما، وخاصة فی بعض المکونات مثل الغموض والعبث والأجواء الوهمیة والاستحالة والتشویه، وإلى حد ما التصوف. ولعل الظروف السیاسیة والاجتماعیة فی مجتمعات العالم المضطربة هی التی دعت الکُتّاب إلى هذا الأسلوب وجعلتهم یصورون واقع المجتمع بلغة غامضة ومزیج رمزی من الواقع والخیال. وقد درس هذا البحث، باستخدام المنهج الوصفی-التحلیلی، مکوّناتِ الواقعیة السحریة فی روایتین هما: شجرة العابد لعمار علی وکافکا على الشاطئ لموراکامی. وقد تُظهر نتائج هذه الدراسة أن عناصر الوهم والوحدة والأوضاع الاجتماعیة والسیاسیة والصمت والمقاطعة الطوعیة ووجود کائنات فوق حسیة والغموض والعبثیة تُستخدم فی هاتین الروایتین. فقد تُستخدم بعض العناصر مثل الاستحالة والمسخ والتصوف فقط فی روایة شجرة العابد، کما تستخدم مکونات أخری مثل العبثیة والفضاء النتن فقط فی روایة کافکا. ویکون أبرز هذه المکونات فی شجرة العابد هو تصویر الفضاء النتن والجانب الصوفی، والمکونات البارزة فی روایة کافکا هی المعارضة والعبثیة والغموض. إضافة إلی أنّ عمار علی تناول الأوضاع الفوضویة للمجتمع والقضایا الاجتماعیة والرموز الصوفیة، لکنّ موراکامی اعتمد علی القضایا الإنسانیة فی مجتمعه، بما فی ذلک الوحدة والفراغ والموت والقضایا الثقافیة. وفی بعض الأحیان کانت إشارات موراکامی السریالیة قسریة، ومقیدة، وانعزالیة، ومبنیة على الثقة فی العناصر المادیة، فی حین کانت النظرة السائدة فی أعمال عمار علی بشکل عام متوسعة، وعفویة، وغیر مادیة، وموجهة نحو العاطفة.

Keywords [العربیة]

  • الواقعیة السحریة
  • هاروکی موراکامی
  • روایة کافکا علی الشاطی
  • عمار علی حسن
  • روایة شجرة العابد

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Research in Comparative Literature
Volume 15, Issue 3 - Serial Number 59
September 2025
Pages 69-94

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 25 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 June 2025

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