VOICES OF “SILENCE” IN THE SILENCE OF MAHOMET BY SALIM BACHI

Abstract

This article studies the notion of the polyphony and the means through which it appears in the novel. The principal character “Mahomet” is introduced since the title even by his silence. However, would it be like that throughout the text? No, it will not be.  He will speak and his voice will be described by all the characters, which will evoke the influence of the latter on his entourage. In fact, his life is told by four important figures of the world of Islam. The intra and homodiegetic narrators report their life with the Prophet, each one according to his point of view.  Further, they pass from their personal story to another social story where the life of the Prophet concerns the historical events of his time. However, all these voices converge to give a human and realistic image of the pivotal character. His silence is not negation but rather a mystical and crowned voice that lasts after his death.