Employing the Miraculous Characters of One Thousand and

One Nights in the Arabic Novel

Dr. Sarwa Younis Ahmed (pp. 120–142)

Abstract

The miraculous (al-ajabi) has a significant presence in modern Arabic literature, particularly in the novel. It appears in various fictional texts, often drawing on Arab heritage, especially the tales from One Thousand and One Nights. Its use in novelistic projects provides a distinct element or structure that blends heritage with contemporary narrative techniques, creating a new method to explore a vision of the world intertwined with the past, the supernatural, dignity, and miracles. Through this employment, writers aim to renew and transform traditional forms, seeking new narrative laws connected to a wondrous and irregular world that captivates readers. This study examines the concept of the miraculous through the works of three novelists—Naguib Mahfouz, Hani Al-Raheb, and Wasini Al-Araj—highlighting how they effectively integrate these miraculous characters into their novels.

Keywords: Employment, characters, night, wonders, novel