Human and Social Values in the Stories of "About the Soul That Was Gradually Stolen" by the Novelist Salwa Bakr

Abstract

This study examined the stories in the Egyptian novel "About the Soul That Was Gradually Stolen" with the aim of clarifying the social concepts and values embedded within it and exploring how social conditions influence these values. The adopted methodology is the socio-thematic approach, which helps in framing the themes and uncovering the relationships between characters and societal structures, as well as between the self and social values. This approach allows for a horizontal reading of the literary work by drawing comparisons and highlighting visual constructs. The study reached several key findings, most notably: 1. Addressing individuals who have strayed from values and concepts through reform, as discussed by some thinkers in their works; 2. Revealing the truth of the human self in the Arab world; and 3. Showing how feminist novels contribute to raising national awareness by drawing on characters inspired by real life. The study recommends conducting broader analytical research that includes wider segments of society to gain a deeper understanding of social transformations and their impact on contemporary society.