Abstract

This study explores the discursive shifts in the poetry of Ibrahim Naji using Norman Fairclough's critical discourse analysis framework. The aim is to reveal how the linguistic structure of his poetic texts interacts with the socio-cultural transformations in Egyptian society during the first half of the 20th century. Adopting Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, the study analyzes the texts at three levels: textual structure (vocabulary, syntax, rhetorical imagery), discursive practice (text production, reception, and interdiscursive relations), and the broader social context (Egypt’s political and cultural shifts).

The findings demonstrate that Naji’s language is not merely a medium for emotional expression but functions as a mechanism for constructing self-awareness and resisting prevailing social conditions. Recurring motifs of escape, death, and nostalgia carry symbolic meanings tied to collective disillusionment and modern transformations in individual and societal identity. The study concludes that Naji’s poetry represents a complex discursive practice where aesthetic dimensions intersect with socio-political factors, making it a compelling case for analyzing the interplay between language and power in literary discourse. By bridging linguistic analysis with historical context, this research underscores how poetry can serve as both a reflection of and a response to ideological and cultural change. Ultimately, Naji’s work emerges as a dynamic site where personal expression and collective consciousness converge, offering deeper insights into the role of literature in shaping and contesting dominant narratives.