Document Type : Research paper
Authors
Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Language and Literature, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Totalitarian regimes represent a type of political structure characterized by extensive control, restriction of individual freedoms, and elimination of ideological diversity, recognized primarily in the twentieth century and beyond. Zakaria Tamer’s short story collection Al-Hasram offers a literary reflection of the mechanisms and consequences of such regimes, portraying various dimensions of domination through concise narratives. This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach grounded in Hannah Arendt’s theoretical framework to interrogates the manifestations of totalitarianism and its social repercussions within the work. The findings elucidate that the most prominent features of totalitarian rule in Al-Hasram include forced exile, the proliferation of political refugees, restrictions on freedom of expression, ideological and economic control, suppression of minority and political party rights, and the use of organized violence. Furthermore, the social and psychological impacts of these structures—such as fear, distrust, social disintegration, isolation, and widespread despair—are vividly reflected in the narratives. Regarding the political dimensions and socio-political consequences of totalitarianism on citizens’ lives, the character analysis reveals three primary patterns of response to domination: passive compliance, conscious resistance, and direct victimization
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