"The Narrative Structure in the Short Story: An Analytical Study of Maw‘id al-Nar Collection by Fuad al-Takarli"

Abstract

This study examines the narrative structure in Fuad Al-Takarli's short story collection Maw'id Al-Nar (Appointment with Fire), with particular focus on its technical narrative elements including characterization, temporal organization, and dramatic irony. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the research applies contemporary narratological frameworks, particularly Gérard Genette's theory of narrative time and Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan's discourse analysis.

The investigation reveals the author's sophisticated employment of complex narrative techniques, notably analepsis (flashback) and prolepsis (flashforward), which create multi-layered temporal structures and enrich textual semantics. The analysis demonstrates how primary and secondary characters function as dynamic agents in plot development, with several figures exhibiting profound psychological depth and sociocultural significance.

Notably, the narrative temporality maintains an organic connection with historical and social contexts, endowing the stories with both realistic and symbolic dimensions. The study concludes that Al-Takarli's mastery of narrative construction serves to deepen thematic resonance while offering critical perspectives on Iraqi society, thereby affirming the value of structural analysis in revealing the aesthetic and intellectual dimensions of literary fiction.