Escape from the Self and Psychological Conflict in the Novel a Critical Relationship by Aisha Al-Asfar

Abstract

This study aims to explore the themes of self-search and psychological conflict as manifested in the protagonist of the novel A Critical Relationship by the Libyan novelist Aisha Al-Asfar, and to examine their impact on the novel’s artistic construction. It also seeks to assess the novel’s ability to embody the psychological state of the main character and to reveal her relationship with place and society. The protagonist suffers from a psychological crisis resulting from familial and broader social pressures, all of which profoundly shape her character. This, in turn, prompts the author to focus on unveiling the character’s psychological dimensions through artistic techniques that enable a deep exploration of her inner world.

The study arrives at several findings, most notably that place plays a significant role in influencing the fictional character. Moreover, despite the multiplicity and complexity of events, the author successfully interweaves them while maintaining suspense, rendering the narrative non-traditional in form and structure