Stream-of-Consciousness Narration

How, why, and to what effect does Mahfouz use stream-of-consciousness narration in the novel?

The stream of consciousness narrative within the technique extremely elevates the themes and characters presented as it gives to contrasting perspectives. Juxtaposing the internal thoughts of the protagonist is a calm objective third person narrative which primarily provides description of the events, surroundings and characters of the novel. This provides the readers with all the external facts and details needed to interpret the story and the actions of characters. However, its seemingly calm and monotone narrative contrasts with the internal thoughts/dialogue of Said which is in italics for ease the reading and understanding of the novel. Said's thoughts present opinion, emotion and a first person perspective which is absent from the other narrative which almost entirely characterizes Said. His bursts of thought present his internal conflicts and how they are what fuel his actions, to some extent, reasoning them to the viewer. The internal thought expresses his hubris and hamartia which develops his character as a tragic hero as well as divulging on his negative emotion like hate and his want for revenge as well as his positive ones like his love for Sana or Nur. This is constantly evident in his descriptions of the traitors within his life as they are most commonly paired with descriptions of Sana or Nur as he decided to spare Nabbawiya's life purely because of Sana. His descriptions of himself and others aid in characterization as well as foreshadowing to his tragic hero fate as he continuously describes himself as this superior thief while the third person narrator reveals all his failures. Which is highlighted in his consciousness prior his actions like breaking into Rauf's house or attempting to kill Ilish as he describes himself using animal imagery while the third person narrator describes his failure the next day. 

Information and characterization from the third person narrator and stream of consciousness narrative technique creates a three dimensional protagonist with a number of flaws and good qualities. It evokes a sense of sympathy and frustration within the audience as they want to root for Said but disagree with his actions and methods of achieving his happy ending. The third person narrative is objective giving an unbiased description of his actions and interactions which exaggerates his internal thoughts as the viewer is exposed to the multiple positive paths he could take. However, due to the corruption of his hubris and hamartia which are expressed in his consciousness, it is as if he cannot change path no matter how hard he tries. After breaking into Ruf's house, both failed attempts at murder and Nur's disappearance, Said is not discouraged or doubts his behaviour but his hamartia continuous to fuel his external conflicts due to his resistance to change and acceptance which is constantly revealed in his consciousness. 

The stream of consciousness narrative technique relates heavily to Mahfouz's context of production as he has expressed his confusion and perplexities during the events of his time through the character of Said. Said's constant struggle with his "traitors", the government and general environment mirrors Mahfouz's struggle with Nasser's changing state as certain aspects which were promised were not fulfilled. Mahfouz cultivates his frustration and opposition through the character of Said due to the censorship of that time as Nasser's rule tended to be hierarchical in adversaries and media with the censorship of both if opposition was present. This ruling power was also described between the relationship of Rauf and Said and Rauf's rebellious spirit is lost in his bureaucratic lifestyle dividing the bond between them and mirroring the separation that occurred between certain classes. This is reiterated in Nur's description of what people thought of Said as the Taxi driver believed Said highlighted justice but was mistaken in his actions while the higher clansman envisioned him as a form of entertainment for the lower class citizens.