The Study of Narrative Time in the Novel: " Zakirat -al-Jasad " by Ahlam Mostaghnami (Based on Gerard Genette's Narrative Theory)

Zakirat-al-Jasad (Memory of the Flesh)، written by AhlamMostaqanemi is a sociopolitical romantic novel that has won Noor award as the best feminine work in the Arab world. Among narration structures، the time element is very significant in this novel. Various theories are presented about narrative time. The most complete theory about time element in novel is Gerard Genette’s theory which has presented an independent theory about narrative time. According to Genette، narration time is formed by considering three time elements: order، duration and frequency. By studying order، time duration compared with calendar time، position of time becomes understandable in the process of forming plot. Using a descriptive-analytical method، in this paper، the author tries to study the dimensions and different narrative time elements in Zakirat-al-Jasad novel based on Gerard Genette''s theory. The study of narration time in this novel shows that the narrative is based on time break method and discrete non-linear movements. Narration form has a circular loop in such a way that the end of novel is directly related to its beginning. By this aesthetic technique، Mostaqanemi has selected different options and presented retrospective and introspective narrations. Because of the descriptive delays and frequent use of description، poetic style، mental action، verbs and social commitment of writer، narration speed is low.