Worldview and the Problematic Hero in the Novel Al-Tūt al-Murr by Muhammad al-Arusi al-Matwi Based on Lucien Goldmann’s Theory of Genetic Structuralism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Akram Moradmand ¹

Roghayeh Rostampour Maleki ²

¹ Ph.D Candidate, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

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

https://doi.org/10.22067/jall.2026.93877.1550

Abstract

The sociology of literature, an interdisciplinary field, aims to offer social criticism of literary works and illuminate the dynamic relationship between literature and society. A core concept within this critical approach is the notion of worldview, particularly as embodied by the ‘problematic hero’ in the novel, a concept initially introduced by Hungarian critic Georg Lukács. Lucien Goldmann expanded upon Lukács’ ideas, integrating them into his critical analyses and developing his theory of genetic structuralism. Muhammad al-‘Arusi al-Matwi’s contemporary Tunisian novel, Al-Tūt al-Murr, is recognized as a social novel that scrutinizes specific societal issues in Tunisia during the colonial era. This study seeks to provide a sociological critique of Al-Tūt al-Murr using a descriptive-analytical method based on Lucien Goldmann’s genetic structuralism, as sociological criticism is vital for understanding Tunisian society. The worldview of the novel’s problematic hero, Abdullah, is evident in his protest against prevailing conditions and his resistance to colonialism, demonstrated through his efforts to eliminate drug consumption in his village. These efforts include confronting the societal culture of submission and compromise, attempting to transform existing conditions, raising awareness among the youth, and establishing a purposeful group called the ‘Association for the Rescue of Youth’ (Jam‘iyyat Inqādh al-Shabāb). The findings suggest that while the hero achieves partial success, his loss of consciousness at the story’s conclusion and the author’s deliberate omission of his ultimate fate can be interpreted as symbolizing the hero’s inability to fully realize his goals
 
 

Keywords

Social Criticism

Genetic Structuralism

Lucien Goldmann

Problematic Hero

Contemporary Arabic Novel

Muhammad al-‘Arusi al-Matwi

Al-Tūt al-Murr

Subjects

• Literary Criticism

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