Narrator's Technique in the Iraqi Narrative Theater

Abstract

This article consists of four parts. The first part tries to clarify how the Arabs know the character of the narrator. It explains the importance of this character in literary works. Thus, it views the historical development of the narrator in the Arab world since the era before Islam, then in the era of Islam, and even the modern era. The second part talks about an Iraqi play who played a major role in the development of the Iraqi narrative art. It is Baghdad of eternity between seriousness and humor of the Iraqi dramaturge Qāsim Muḥammad (1934-2009). This play was performed in Baghdad in 1974, where the narrator plays an important role in the narrative of theatrical events, as he connects the historical events that Iraq has experienced with the currently events of the Iraqi spectator. The third part views the epic features of Qāsim’s play and tries to explain why this play was considered as new form of Iraqi theater. It is also want to know why the author used the heritage as a basic material for his play. At the same time this part wants to consider this play from another aspect, and views the real structure of it as new phenomenon at that time. All these will help us to know where the name of this play came from. The fourth part refers to the epic role of the narrator in Baghdad of eternity between seriousness and humor, in order to know more about this character and to view the important role that the narrator can play in the literary work. In addition this article discusses the dramaturges intention, which helps the spectator to meditate on the past and to learn from its lessons so that he can monitor his reality and criticizes it. It will explain why this character becomes a necessary part of the foundations and components of the dramatic work, such as text, author and heritage. Moreover this article will refer to Brecht's epic theater to find similarities between Brecht's theater and Qāsim's theater. Finally, it views the importance of Qāsim's play for the Iraqi society by preserving the literary heritage.