The Semiotics of Character Dimensions in Coronavirus Stories

Abstract

This study investigates the semiotic dimensions of characters in Arabic short stories written during the Coronavirus pandemic, approaching the narrative character as both a structural element and a semiotic sign within the broader narrative system. In the context of the pandemic, characters move beyond their conventional narrative roles to become symbolic representations of human fragility, existential anxiety, and social disintegration. Using a semiotic analytical framework, the research examines the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of both major and minor characters in selected pandemic narratives. The study also explores the narrative strategies through which writers depict the transformative effects of the crisis on individuals and communities. Organized into two main sections devoted to major and minor characters, the research demonstrates that the Arabic short story effectively engaged with the historical reality of the pandemic while simultaneously offering deeper existential and symbolic interpretations of human suffering. The findings reveal that these stories function not merely as records of crisis, but as artistic expressions oscillating between documentation and symbolism, personal confession and philosophical reflection. The study concludes that pandemic narratives enriched the Arabic short story by expanding its ability to portray psychological trauma, social fragmentation, and the complexities of human existence through semiotically charged characterization.