The literature of environmental (ecological) discourse in the Saudi novel: A Poetic Study of the Novel (Tears of Sand) as a Case Study

Abstract

This study examines ecological themes in Saudi literature, focusing on Shutaywi Al-Ghaythi’s novel Tears of the Sand. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, it explores how the novel integrates environmental elements—nature, place, humans, and animals—through literary techniques such as the poetics of time, description, and narrative focalization.

Findings show that Al-Ghaythi skillfully merges ecological awareness with aesthetic expression, using the desert setting and historical context to enhance both narrative depth and artistic value.

The study recommends applying ecological perspectives more broadly in literary criticism of Saudi and Arab novels and encourages writers to explore the interplay between environmental content and literary form to inspire creativity and enrich literary appreciation.