The Poetics of Narrative Discourse in Azher Jerjis’ Sleeping in the Cherry Field

Abstract

Abstract   

      A key characteristic of any given literary work, be poem or fiction, is the linguistic and aesthetic fabric. Such fabric can express life experiences and emotional feelings, translating thoughts and feelings into touching, self-expressing images. This paper, therefore, draws on this premise by unfolding the narrative discourse in the Poker-winning Sleeping in the Cherry Field by the Iraqi diasorized writer Azher Jerjis. This is achieved by uncovering the poetic imagery and the metaphorical patterns suggested by that novel. To understand how figures are manipulated to serve hidden intention in this novel, an image analysis is conducted where the respective elements and references are identified. The narrative stream has been used in Sleeping in the Cherry Field to highlight characters, lead events, and construct a story-like presentation. As for metaphors, these figures have been used in this novel to communicate certain messages. The author’s contextualization of metaphors is worth an in-depth analysis. For the events of the story to proceed, meanings had to be diversified so that the discourse of relating or narrating can realize ends. The paper finds that Jerjis employed various themes and images throughout the course of that novel, including torture, violence, extramarital sex, death, and other sensitive themes. The writer vocalized the silent, society-banned topics, ones which are traditionally rejectable in most oriental communities. A literary work can offer more to readers than mere lines or events.