Characterization in the Novel “Malek al-Hand” by Jabour Doihi based on the Theory of Abraham Maslow

Malek al-Hand is one of the most renowned works of Jabour Doihi and one of the best novels of 2020. This psychologically themed novel, through its vivid portrayal of various characters—especially Zakaria—aims to depict the deterioration of the situation in Lebanon and its people.
This essay explores the components of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory using a descriptive-analytical approach. It examines the psychological state of the story's protagonist, Zakaria, along with some of his family members, who are affected by the chaotic conditions of a colonized society during World War II. The narrative reflects themes such as identity loss and cultural disintegration, promiscuity and illicit relationships, personality conflicts, lack of commitment, instability, psychological insecurity, and concerns related to economic issues and basic life needs.
Most of the characters in the novel, such as Philomena, Yunus, and her children, remain at the lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and do not achieve self-actualization. However, Mazekaria has somewhat distanced herself from her psychological crises due to internal conflicts. Elements of self-actualization—such as understanding reality and engaging with it, fulfilling ideals, experiencing solitude, autonomy, cultural independence, simple spontaneity, and naturalness—are evident in her.
Introduction
Abraham Harold Maslow was born on April 1, 1908, in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. He was the eldest of seven children. His parents were Jewish immigrants who had left Russia to escape political turmoil. They had high expectations for him and pressured him to study law. This parental control continued until 1928, when Maslow decided to take charge of his own destiny and pursue psychology instead of law. He earned his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1934 and taught at Brooklyn College until 1951. In 1960, he gained fame by publishing his theory of the "hierarchy of human needs." In 1967, he was elected president of the American Psychological Association and became known as the father of humanistic psychology. Maslow played a significant role in developing the principles of humanism and philosophical humanism in Europe. With a philosophical approach to psychology, he became the founder of a distinct theory in the field of intellectual development in American society, achieving a unique position compared to other psychologists.
Emphasizing human-oriented psychology as a new force opposing the behaviorism of Watson and Skinner and Freud's psychoanalysis, he sought to develop experimental religion to strengthen his theory and perspective. The theory of experimental religion, proposed before Maslow by American pragmatist thinkers such as Peirce, James, and Dewey, brought him fame in European society. By writing this novel, Doihi aimed to fulfill his mission as a writer. Through his characters and narration, he portrays different facets of society, each symbolizing the real and external world. In doing so, he addresses the shadow of war and its irreparable damage to Islamic societies, including Lebanon and its people. This conflict not only caused civil war in the country but also manifested in family relationships and, beyond that, in the form of personality disorders among individuals. This novel is written in a circular style and features a puzzle-like structure. Consequently, it enables readers to engage with a series of interconnected narratives, where characters echo each other's voices, and everyone discovers their own voice reflected in others. This article aims to analyze the novel "Malek al-Hand" based on Maslow's theory to investigate the characterization in this novel, including its first character, Zakaria, and through this, the miserable situation of the Lebanese society in the historical period in which the events of the story take place. explore.
Materials and Methods
This research analyzes the main characters of the novel by analytical-descriptive method and by using psychological and literary sources related to the topic, and by using two branches of literature and psychology, it examines the novel Malek Al-Hand based on Maslow's theory.
Results and Discussion
Biological and physical needs constitute the first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These needs are more essential to address and satisfy than other human needs, as they provide the foundation for individuals to progress to the next level. When Philomena travels to France in search of her husband, she lives with an old man named Lagrange for several years after losing hope of finding food and shelter elsewhere. After settling down with Lagrange, Philomena works tirelessly to escape harmful environmental factors and the fear they cause, seeking stability through the job she has chosen. He has entered a new and unfamiliar land and space. As a lonely immigrant, he does not know the language of the people nor is he familiar with their customs, so he cannot live there like a normal citizen. Philomena seeks support and suddenly finds Lagrange.
For years, until Lagrange's death, he lived and worked beside him, providing peace of mind and physical comfort despite Lagrange's old age, considering this his most essential duty. Essentially, behind every action and behavior lies a mindset that shapes human conduct, sometimes resulting in varied or even misguided reactions. In Zakaria's life story, we observe that after ending any relationship, he secretly takes a mementos from those women. This act is sometimes interpreted as theft due to the sentimental value of these souvenirs in the novel. However, it appears that Zakaria's original intention was not theft, as evidenced by his financial stability and lack of need. Psychologically, the primary motivation for many people, including Zakaria, to secretly take these relics is that despite the apparent disconnection, they still wish to maintain a connection through nostalgia. Consequently, they cannot mentally sever the relationship, and this act of taking keeps the memories of the past alive. This behavior reflects an emotional void, which is not merely probable but certainly rooted in unresolved childhood deficiencies and conflicts within the family or society. It manifests itself in this manner.
Behaviors often reflect needs deeply rooted in human existence and reside within the subconscious mind. An examination of Zakaria's character in the novel reveals that he is respected and admired for working in various countries and across all job categories without exception. He demonstrates his worth through hard work, perseverance, and honesty, even after marrying Jain. Analyzing Zakaria's personality traits and his strong desire for women in America, Europe, and Africa—most notably Matilde and Jane—alongside his reluctance to accept the responsibility of marriage reveals that he is experiencing an identity crisis. His repeated inability to resist the opposite sex, a recurring theme in the story, portrays him as a capricious character. Keeping souvenirs from each woman highlights his intense internal conflict: a simultaneous desire for emotional stability and security, contrasted with a fear of commitment and instability. After each relationship, he experiences doubt, depression, and isolation, prompting a desire to escape.
Conclusion
By depicting the psychological states of the characters as a family unit, the author aims to illustrate broader cultural, religious, and social weaknesses, including a lack of self-confidence, instability, and psychological insecurity, as well as an emphasis on fulfilling physiological needs at a macro level. In the novel, recurring motifs such as successive kidnappings, emotional connections, sudden disconnections, and souvenirs are used repeatedly as symbolic codes and ciphers. All of these factors indicate a psychological schema within the individual’s existence, where, although the physical relationship has apparently ended, the emotional void remains connected to the mental continuation of that relationship. This connection preserves the memories of the past, driven by the need to respond to that emotional absence in various ways. According to this pyramid, every human being, after satisfying physical needs, naturally feels a tendency toward higher goals and exerts all efforts to achieve them. Therefore, in the novel mentioned, we see a character named Zakaria who responds positively to his inner call at the end. However, although some signs of self-actualization appear in Zakaria, he cannot completely shed his former nature or fully attain his human dignity and position.