The Image of Camels in the Arabic Novel: The Novel of A Good Camel by Saud Alsanousi as a Model - A Descriptive and Analytical Study

This paper deals with the image of camels in the Arabic novel, focusing on the novel A Good Camel by Saud Alsanousi as an analytical model. It explores the use of camels and their artistic connotations in the novel, and how they interact with the narrative structure, relying on a descriptive and analytical approach to uncover the dimensions of this use and connotation. One of the most notable findings was that camels in the novel transcend being merely animals or means of transportation, becoming a central character with profound dimensions, symbolizing patience, endurance, and resistance-values inherent in the desert environment and Bedouin life. These values are embodied in this novel in the character of the camel "Wadha," which, in turn, signifies the resilience of Bedouins and their ability to overcome adversity. It also symbolizes authenticity, travel, and challenge, along with other symbolic themes such as motherhood, femininity, the power of giving, and the ability to sacrifice. The paper also showed Alsanousi's mastery of sensory and moral description, metaphor, color, sound, and movement to depict camels, imbuing them with symbolic, psychological, and emotional dimensions that reflect meanings of sadness, pain, longing, and resistance. In addition, the paper revealed the close relationship between the image of camels and other narrative elements, as they interacted with the setting, characters, and events, forming a narrative fabric rich in connotations and shaping and developing events.