Magical Realism in Al-Marḥūm by Hassan Kamal and Fear and Trembling by Gholamhossein Saedi with an Emphasis on the Grotesque and Symbolism

Abstract

Magical realism is among the literary modes in which elements of reality and imagination are so intricately interwoven that all imaginary events appear entirely natural and real, allowing the audience to readily accept these supernatural occurrences. Hassan Kamal, an Egyptian contemporary writer, and Gholamhossein Saedi, an Iranian contemporary writer, were both inclined toward this style, and Kamal’s Al-Marḥūm and Saedi’s Fear and Trembling were composed within this framework. In both narratives, key components of magical realism—such as the grotesque and symbolism—are prominently employed. The interplay between the imaginary and the real worlds is evident throughout both works. At the same time, other defining elements of this literary mode cannot be overlooked. Both authors have employed magical realist techniques primarily in the service of humanistic concerns. Kamal endeavors to affirm and explore Egyptian identity, whereas Saedi, through his depiction of popular superstitions in parts of southern regions, reveals the authentic identity of those communities. In this study, after examining the characteristics and historical background of magical realism, along with a brief overview of the biographies of the two aforementioned authors, the elements of magical realism—particularly the grotesque and symbolism—in their works are analyzed. Using a descriptive–analytical method, the narrative techniques employed by these writers are elucidated for the audience.