The Temporal Paradox in The Novel "Return of The Absent" by Munther Al-Qubbaani

Abstract

This research focuses on studying the temporal paradox in the novel "Return of the Absent" by Munther Al-Qubbaani, examining the interplay between the story's time and the narrative time. The research specifically delves into the temporal arrangement or the chronological order, encompassing retrieval and anticipation elements, creating a third type, a blend of both. It explores the aspects, temporal paradoxes, and the narrative and constructive benefits of these elements. Additionally, it delves into the narrative voice, and how these temporal shifts are presented, examining whether they are narrative events or stories told. The study also analyzes the temporal counterparts, investigating the convergence of retrievals or anticipations with the initial narrative, or the absence thereof, and the nature of these transformations—whether complementary, partial, repetitive, or reminiscent. Finally, the research explores the impact of other narrative components such as place, dialogue, and dreams, structured into three sections: Retrieval with its two branches (external and internal), Anticipation with its two branches (declarative and preliminary), and the Mixed Arrangement section, which considers both the temporal events and the types of retrievals and anticipations. The study combines the aspects of event types with the temporal aspects of retrievals and anticipations, leading to a conclusion that highlights the key findings. It concludes by consolidating the essential sources and references, utilizing the narrative science resources and critical perspectives, following the views of Gerald Prince, Todorov, and Gérard Genette.