Critical Analysis of Emigration Discourse in the Novel The Baghdad Clock by Shahad al-Rawi Using Norman Fairclough’s Theory

Document Type : research article

Authors

• Somaye Nikfar ¹
• Ardeshir Sadr Al-Ddini ²
• Mustafa Yegani ³

¹ PhD Candidate in Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad Branch, Azerbaijan Gharbi, Iran

² Assistant Professor in Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad Branch, Azarbaijan Gharbi, Iran

³ Assistant Professor in Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad Branch, Azerbaijan Gharbi, Iran

10.22067/jallv15.i3.2306-1283

Abstract

Critical discourse analysis is a systematic theory developed by Norman Fairclough that is highly effective for analyzing works closely linked with the social and political conditions of society. This type of analysis is also crucial for accurately portraying what is happening in society. The theory investigates the work on three levels: description, interpretation, and explanation. In the first level, the theory examines the vocabulary used in the work, while in the interpretation level, it focuses on the discourse conduct and effects of common or hegemonic discourses. In the explanation level, the theory reflects on social behaviors and how social issues are represented in the work. Shahad al-Rawi, a young and novice Iraqi author, wrote two significant works in the second decade of the 21st century. His primary work, "The Baghdad Clock," received praise from critics and readers alike. This study utilizes descriptive-analytical methods to connect the novel with present-day social and political issues in Iraq, particularly focusing on war and occupation stories from past decades. The study aims to provide a critical discourse analysis of the novel to explore how social conditions and socially-produced discourses influence agency. The paper seeks to investigate how war and occupation are portrayed in relation to emigration as a perceived opportunity for educated Iraqi citizens despite their love for their homeland. Exploring discourses within a work is socially and literally critical, thus this paper delves into analyzing "The Baghdad Clock." Findings suggest that the author incorporates formal elements reflecting social conditions impacted by war, occupation, embargoes, etc. Additionally, the study aims to elucidate and normalize emigration discourse as a preferred narrative shaped by societal agents.

Keywords

• Discourse analysis
• Norman Fairclough
• social and discursive conducts
• Shahad Al-Rawi
• the Baghdad Clock

Main Subjects

• Literary Criticism

References

Aghagolzadeh, F. (2010). Critical discourse analysis. Ch2. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural. [In Persian].

Aghagolzadeh, F Ghiyathian, M. (2006).Dominant Approaches in Critical Discourse Analysis. Language research and linguistics. 5. 54-39. [In Persian].

Akashe, M. (2018). Discourse Analysis in the Light of Modern Linguistic Theory Cairo: Universities Publishing House. [In Arabic].

Bahrawi, H. (1990). The Structure of the Novel Form, Beirut: Arab Cultural Center. [In Arabic].

Badawi, A. (2009). Critical Discourse Analysis in the Social Sciences, Beirut: Center for Unity Studies. [In Arabic].

Campbell, J. (2011). The Power of Myth, Abbas Mokhbar, 7th edition, Tehran: Center. [In Persian].

Draper, M. (2012). Critical Stylology, Tehran: Alam. [In Persian].

Fatuhi, M. (2011). Stylistics, Tehran: Sokhon . [In Persian].

Fairclough, N.(1999). Critical analysis of discourse. Translated by Fateme Shaiste Piran and colleagues. Ch1. Tehran: Media Studies and Research Center. [In Persian].

Haddadi, E. (2012). Discursive and social issues in the novel Safar Degree based on the discourse analysis model, Literary Criticism Quarterly, 5(18). 81-109. [In Persian].

Kazemi, P. (2020). Critical analysis of the discourse of Ghada Al-Saman's collection of poems by al-Habib based on the model of Norman Farklough. journal Arabic language and literature,13(4). 63-83. [In Persian]. Doi: 10.22067/jallv13.i4.85843

Jorgensen, M. & Phillips,L. (2015). Theory and Method in discourse analysis. Translated by Hadi Jalili. Tehran: Ney Publishing.

Payandeh, H. (2002). Literary Criticism and Democracy: Essays in New Theory and Literary Criticism, Tehran: Nilofar. [In Persian].

Pahlavannejad, M. Naseri, N. (2008). Analysis of the text of a letter from Beyhaqi history with the applied.semantic approach of the "Letter of the Heads of Teginabad. journal of Persian language and literature of Khwarazmi University. 16(62).58-37. [In Persian].

Peck, J. (1986). Analyzing the Novel, Chapter 1, translated by Ahmad Tsederani, Tehran: Center. [In Persian].

Al-Ravi, S. (2012). Baghdad Clock, Baghdad: Darbabal. [In Arabic].

Yarmohammadi, L. (2002). Popular and critical discourse. Ch1. Tehran: Hermes. [In Persian].

Zare, N.Ballavi,R.Hashemi,Z. (2019). Discourse analysis of the novel al-Harb fi bar Egypt by Youssef al-Qaid (based on the theory of critical discourse analysis of Norman Fairclough). Journal of Arabic Language and Literature, 12(1). 147-160. [In Persian].

Doi:10.22067/jall.v12.i1.77205