Village Space in Abdo Khal’s Novel Death Passes Here

Abstract

This study explores the depiction of village space in Abdo Khal’s novel Death Passes Here. A leading figure in contemporary Saudi and Arab literature, Abdo Khal’s works remain underexplored in academic studies, particularly regarding the theme of village space. This research addresses this gap by employing a structural approach to examine Khal’s narrative techniques, including description, characterization, and the construction of time and events. The research is structured into an introduction, a preface, two sections, and a conclusion. The preface outlines Khal’s artistic style, his focus on village spaces, a brief overview of the novel, and an explanation of narrative space as understood by key critics. The first section, "Description of the Village," analyzes the village’s portrayal, while the second section, "The Village and the Formation of Space," investigates its connection to other narrative elements, highlighting its structural and symbolic significance. The study finds that the village in Death Passes Here is depicted through various spatial elements, such as the castle, the well, the hut, the market, and the grave, along with smaller formations like doors and streets. Each element carries unique visual aesthetics and serves a distinct narrative function within the story’s context.