Abstract
Textual thresholds are the textual elements surrounding the central text, playing a crucial role in guiding the reader and preparing them mentally and aesthetically to interact with the narrative. These thresholds include important components that pave the way for the text and illuminate the horizons of reading, most notably the main title which forms the first gateway to enter the world of the text; the subheadings, which organize the content and reveal its axes in addition to the dedication which reflects emotional and personal dimensions and the foreword which is a reflective and intellectual introduction that sheds light on some of the problems raised in the text. Examining these thresholds has garnered the attention of critics, especially in the field of semiotics. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method and based on Peirce's semiotic theory examines the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day" by Falah Rahim. The research concludes that the title in this novel is a symbolic sign that holds deep meanings and is a key to understanding the content and dimensions of the novel. The dedication of the novel to the martyr "Kamel Shayea" is a symbolic sign that refers to the values of resistance, national consciousness, and the experience of exile and return in the shadow of political challenges. The prefaces used in the novel vary between symbolic and iconic signs, indicating a lack of national unity and deepening feelings of alienation and separation in the homeland and in exile.
Keywords: semiotics, textual thresholds, Peirce, Falah Rahim, Hedgehogs on a Hot Day.
Extended summary
Introduction
Textual thresholds are fundamental concepts in modern literary criticism, playing a pivotal role in interpreting and guiding the reader toward a deeper understanding of the semantic dimensions of literary texts, especially novels. These thresholds encompass a range of elements that contribute to reader guidance, such as the title, dedication, epigraph, and other components that form an initial entry point to the text. Textual thresholds raise numerous questions about their role in shaping the first reading of a text and directing it toward its inherent meanings. These thresholds represent a signal to a deeper level of reading that transcends the text itself, including the interaction between the reader and the text, and its cultural and social context. In this research, the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day" by Iraqi novelist Falah Rahim was selected as a model for studying textual thresholds. The article aims to analyze these thresholds and examine their symbolic meanings in light of Charles Peirce's semiotic theory. The study also addresses the impact of these thresholds on the overall understanding of the novel and their contribution to interpreting its deep structure.
Materials & Methods
This study relied on a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the textual thresholds in the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day," using semiotic analysis tools based on Charles Peirce's theory of dividing signs into symbolic, iconic, and indexical. This theory is considered one of the most prominent theories contributing to the unveiling of symbolic and underlying meanings in literary texts, and it is very useful in analyzing the textual thresholds that contribute to the formation and reading of the text. The research addressed the title as the most important of the textual thresholds, as it is considered a primary entry point for understanding the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day." The dedication, which represents an appreciation for specific cultural and political figures, was also analyzed, as well as the epigraphs that shed light on the novel's problems and enhance the philosophical and existential understanding of social and political conflict. Through the analysis of these thresholds, an attempt was made to reveal their symbolic dimensions that affect the narrative and guide readers towards new interpretations. Critical and literary references supporting the semiotic analysis were used, making these thresholds effective analytical tools.
Research findings
The research results showed that the textual thresholds in the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day" are not merely superficial introductory elements, but rather vital tools that contribute to preparing the reader for a deeper understanding of the text's meaning. Through the analysis of the title, profound symbolic meanings were revealed, as the title "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day" reflects a state of social alienation and constant tension in society, which is considered an embodiment of the Iraqi social reality suffering from wars and conflicts. The dedication in the novel, which was dedicated to the martyr Kamil Shiyaa, carries a symbolic dimension that reflects appreciation for the martyrs and national resistance, and also refers to the national tragedy experienced by the Iraqi character between alienation and return. The epigraphs that were used served as symbolic and iconic signs revealing the philosophical values expressed by the text, such as the concept of social distancing as a psychological and social condition resulting from wars and conflicts. These thresholds contribute to creating a rich interpretive space, guiding the reader to contemplate the social and political conflicts that affect Iraqi society and shape its features.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
The study reveals the vital role that textual thresholds play in shaping literary interpretations. It has become clear that the thresholds in the novel "Hedgehogs on a Hot Day" go beyond their traditional role as introductory elements to become crucial keys for understanding the deep meanings that the novelist aims to convey. The title, which includes symbolic connotations about social alienation and political tension, reflects the torn Iraqi reality, where individuals face social and psychological challenges associated with civil conflicts and alienation. Through the dedication, the values of martyrdom and national consciousness are emphasized, while the epigraphs showcase the gap between the self and society, and between exile and return, reflecting a state of deep internal alienation. In this context, the hedgehog dilemma stands out as a reference to the need for isolation in order to survive, but this isolation ultimately becomes a social and cultural burden. Through these thresholds, we find that the novel raises complex social issues, opening the door to multiple readings. In conclusion, it can be said that textual thresholds are not just an introduction for readers, but are essentially guiding tools that involve profound connotations that contribute to building the cognitive and symbolic structure of the text, thereby deepening the reader's understanding and expanding the horizon of multiple interpretations.
Main Subjects
The Sources and References
First: Arabic Sources and References
Books
Magazines
Websites
Second: Persian Sources and References
Books
Magazines
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