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Abstract
The Egyptian author Yusuf ldris (b. 1927) is a leading short story writer in the Arab world. Whereas the first decade in his literary activity (1954-1964) is marked by social realism, the works of the later decades (1965-1982) show highly symbolic and surrealistic features. It is noteworthy that while the realistic stories have been studied by literary critics, his symbolic and surrealistic stories have not undergone careful evaluation. This is at least partly explained by the fact that they are not easily intelligible. The disguised images, the bizarre and the absurd in these stories have put them behind a veil which is difficult to penetrate. This study is intended to close that gap on Idris's writing. In exploring his symbolic and surrealistic stories, a general introduction to the artistic modes of symbolism and surrealism is first offered, followed by an examination of the reasons for their development with Idris, a comparative study of his realistic and surrealistic stories in terms of mood, outlook and themes, and an in-depth analysis of eleven representative stories (selected from various collections) with respect to their probable meanings and socio-political messages. The analysis is based on the psychological approach, which is enhanced by biographical-historical details and socio-political accounts. A special discussion is devoted to Idris unique treatment of sex in a large variety of stories. Among the major findings of this study is the author's use of symbolic and surrealistic features in order to convey his message and escape the ever-watchful eye of the censor. This appears to be part of a general trend in Egypt in the 60s, reinforced in Idris's case by his revolutionary spirit and circumstantial life. As a former physician, Idris displays a medical-diagnostic approach to the problems of his society, and his symbolic and surrealistic stories offer a rare insight into the psychological make-up of his people and the motivation which underlies their behavior.
