The Elements of Postmodernism in The Day of the Assassination of the President by Naguib Mahfouz

Postmodernism refers to a wide range of opinions that emerged in the second half of the twentieth century. The Day of the Assassination of the President by Naguib Mahfouz, a contemporary Egyptian novelist, is an example of a postmodernist novel and a metanarrative that seeks to encompass the historical atmosphere of Egypt in its story. In spite of containing manifestations of realism and reflecting some contemporary Egyptian realities, this novel is imaginative in essence. Thus, the purpose of this study is to study the novel as postmodernist fiction and a metanarrative. The findings of the research indicate that, influenced by the school of postmodernism, Naguib Mahfouz seeks to describe the anxieties and bewilderment of contemporary man and his civil disobedience against the current conditions, so that others hear his voice through his fiction. Among the various components of postmodernism, he makes use of paradox, uncertainty, intertextuality, and short circuit more frequently. Intertextuality is particularly evident in the eloquent speech of Mohtashami Zayed because of his exemplary faith. Short circuit is another significant component that is used by Mahfouz when narrating historical events. And incoherence and uncertainty can be seen in every part of the novel. Naguib Mahfouz’s works are the mirror of the Egyptian society since time, place, and historical characters in his story are more eminent compared to fictional characters. Using various postmodern components, he attempts to describe and criticize the inappropriate social, economic, and political conditions of the Egyptian society indirectly, and consequently depicts the organic connection between literature and society and crystallizes social disorders through this genre. By selecting postmodern components, he can illustrate the incompetency of the rulers and the unpleasant socio-economic conditions of Egypt, specifically the issue of poverty.