Magic Realism and the Power of Supernaturalism: A Study of Selected Short Stories in Arabian Days and Nights

Abstract

This study explores the application of magic realism and supernaturalism in Naguib Mahfouz's selected short stories from Arabian Nights and Days. It examines how Mahfouz skillfully integrates fantastical elements with ordinary realities to address socio-political challenges and delve into existential and moral questions. By focusing on stories such as “the angel of death,” “the slave and the sorcerer,” and "The Revenge of the Ifrit," the research highlights how supernatural entities like angels, sorcerers, and ifrits function as allegorical tools to critique power structures, corruption, and moral dilemmas. Findings reveal that Mahfouz employs these supernatural beings to reflect psychological conflicts and engage with broader cultural and political issues. For instance, the angel in "the angel of death" symbolizes the interplay between divine justice and human limitations. At the same time, the sorcerer in "the slave and the sorcerer" represents the manipulation and exploitation prevalent in authoritarian regimes. Mahfouz's narrative approach, deeply rooted in Egypt's cultural and spiritual heritage, draws from Islamic mysticism and folklore, enabling him to craft stories that resonate with universal themes of justice, morality, and human resilience. This research concludes that Mahfouz's use of magic realism is a deliberate narrative strategy that transcends stylistic boundaries, offering a profound lens to examine the socio-political and cultural complexities of 20th-century Egypt.