The Existential Philosophical Self in the Fictional Discourse of Saad Mohammed Rahim

Abstract

Philosophy, in its various forms and diverse approaches, is prominently and intensely present in postmodern novels, with existentialism being among its most notable manifestations. This philosophy appears on the lips of intellectually engaged and insightful characters, aware of their own nature, the world, and society. These characters reflect a profound understanding of the transformations that have occurred in humanity, the universe, and social structures in the postmodern era. These transformations have contributed to the emergence of numerous philosophical ideas and concepts, foremost among them existential questions, which have become an integral part of the narrative discourse of these characters. This reflects the novelist's conscious endeavor to crystallize and artistically represent these ideas within the text.

Based on this premise, this study examines existential philosophical questions and ideas in the novels of the Iraqi novelist Saad Muhammad Rahim. These novels are characterized, on the one hand, by the striking presence of intellectually engaged characters, and on the other hand, by these characters' preoccupation with posing and raising existential questions. The nature of the study necessitated that the research plan be structured into two main sections: the first section was dedicated to the theoretical aspect, focusing on relevant concepts and cognitive frameworks, while the second section dealt with applying those hypotheses and questions to the narrative text of the studied author. This was followed by a conclusion that included the most prominent findings of the research, and then a list of sources and references.