Political and social alienation in the novel "A Mask the Color of the Sky" by Bassim khandaqchi

Abstract

This study examines the conflict of political and social identity in Basim Khandaqchi’s novel *A Mask, the Color of the Sky*, with particular focus on alienation as a central narrative and ideological structure. It argues that the novel presents alienation not as an individual or temporary experience, but as a complex condition produced by the interaction of occupation, social pressure, and the crisis of Palestinian identity. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study analyzes the representation of characters, symbols, and narrative discourse, especially the symbol of the “mask,” which functions as a sign of double identity, forced adaptation, and inner division. The findings show that political alienation is reflected in the characters’ loss of trust in political action, their sense of powerlessness under occupation, and their distance from dominant political narratives. Social alienation appears through isolation, fear of social judgment, weakened human relationships, and the difficulty of expressing the self freely within the community. The study concludes that the novel offers a critical vision of Palestinian identity by showing that the struggle is not limited to confrontation with external colonial power, but also extends to conflicts within the self and society. In this sense, the mask becomes both a strategy of survival and a symbol of internal fragmentation. The concept of alienation is one of the most prominent concepts that has preoccupied human thought in the modern era, given its widespread presence in the fields of philosophy, psychology, and literature. This concept has acquired particular importance in contemporary literature, where it has become a means of expressing the human crisis in the face of profound political and social transformations that threaten stability and identity.

In the Palestinian context, alienation takes on more complex dimensions, as it is linked to the reality of occupation, loss of sovereignty, and social fragmentation, causing individuals to experience a dual state of separation: separation from themselves and separation from their surroundings. The novel *A Mask the Color of the Sky* is a rich narrative model that embodies this condition, offering a profound portrayal of a crisis-ridden human experience where political, social, and psychological dimensions intersect.