A Structural Study of

Working within a descriptive-analytical framework, the present study examines the structure of "Al-Haraam" novel by Yusuf Idris. Structuralist theorists have always tried to establish a set of comprehensive rules which are generalizeable enough to be applied for all story types and can offer a framework for analyzing literary works specially novels. These theories began from Vladimir Prop and then developed by other theorists like Grimas, Teodorov, and Philip Hamon. Due to the fact that Yusuf Idris used to put special emphasis on the structure of the story, he had a beautiful style in his works. The most prominent structural features of his works are imagery, flashback, and interference story. Moreover, the author employs modern techniques in composing his novels. The major themes of his stories are the social problems of contemporary Arab world, particularly Egypt. Following the methods suggested by fiction theorists, the present research is an attempt to explore the content of "Al-Haraam" novel by Yusuf Idris through an investigation of the elements of structure in the story. The findings of the study show that the structure of the novel serves its realistic content. In other words, every structural element of the novel including plot, atmosphere, tone, and place, present its realistic content to the reader. Moreover, the novelist has paid special attention to structure throughout the story so that he has been able to employ all story elements in a coherent and consistent manner.