Introduction -- The use of archetypal symbolism. The use of archetypal symbolism in the novels of Tawfiq Al-Hakim: case studies of Return of the spirit and The sacred bond -- The use of archetypal symbolism in the novels of V.S. Naipaul: case studies of A bend in the river and Mr. Stone and the knights companion -- Tawfiq Al-Hakim and V.S. Naipaul's autobiographical novels as socio-political allegories. Tawfiq Al-Hakim's Diary of a country prosecutor -- V.S. Naipaul's A house for Mr. Biswas and the mimic men -- Symbolism of the narrative structure and technique of Tawfiq Al-Hakim and V.S. Naipaul's novels. Symbolism of the narrative structure and technique of Tawfiq Al-Hakim's Bird of the east, with references to The sacred bond and Hakim's donkey -- Symbolism of the narrative structure and technique of Naipaul's novels: a case study of The enigma of arrival -- Conclusion
This book compares the literary styles of two authors from vastly different cultural and national heritages. Tawfiq Al-Hakim is an Egyptian and V.S. Naipaul is from Trinidad. The cultures are different but their literary techniques bear an affinity to one another. The author showcases how cultural differences are depicted in these novels, while also revealing a shared set of literary conventions utilized by these talented authors. Both draw on mythology and Jungian archetypes which are fertile ground for critical analysis that juxtapose them
