The Theme of Death in the Narrative Experience of Mohammad Asiri

Abstract

This study explores the theme of death, a subject that has preoccupied humanity throughout history, as portrayed in the works of Mohammad Asiri. His literary output is distinguished by the dominance of this theme, making it a focal point for analysis. The research begins with an introduction and a theoretical foundation outlining its framework, justifications, and key terms, followed by six sections. These sections examine various aspects of death in Asiri’s narratives, including thresholds and departure semiotics, the moment of death, the duality of presence and absence, its dramatic nature, its connection to life’s details, and the strategies used to express it. Employing a semiotic approach, the study uncovers the implicit meanings and hidden significances within his language. The findings reveal Asiri’s diverse methods of addressing death, his preference for symbolism and indirect expression, and his tendency toward condensed, poetic, and symbolic formulations, particularly in the very short story form.