Dystopian reality in Frankenstein in Baghdad a novel by Ahmed Saadawi

Abstract EN

Dystopian literature is important in old and modern literature.

It depicts a world in which everything is imperfect, chaotic and distorted.

It shows a nightmarish image yet it is true in some afflicted communities.

It mainly deals with war, oppression and disastrous situations.

Almost all the characteristics of dystopian literature are real in Ahmed Saadawi’s novel Frankenstein in Baghdad.

These characteristics are real and tangible in the place where the events of the novel occurred.

These characteristics are manifested in people’s fear from the government, the American troops and terrorism attacks.

Also the unstable life that they are forced to adapt.

In addition, the lack of freedom and independence create a huge gap between citizens and the government.

Baghdad was devastated by many oppressive factors like: American annoying troops, terrorists’ explosions attacks, incompetent government highly officials, and militias’ sectarian attacks.

The only imaginative tool of dystopia that Saadawi use is the creation of Whatsitsname.

Saadawi tries to drag his readers’ attention to a magical-realistic world.

All the other incidents are real and present in everyday life in Baghdad in 2005; like the unsafe capital, the disintegration of family members, the separated limps of victims.

Saadawi virtually described the dark era in Baghdad at that time.

The bloodshed, the torture and massive killing was overwhelming the city.

Dystopian fiction links elements of truth that is specific to the time in which it is written in with science or imaginary elements that represent the terrifying direction we are winding to.

Frankenstein in Baghdad converses this classic formula: the dystopian fundamentals of the novel are not engrained in its hypothetical and mythical elements but rather in the very real, frightening violence that Baghdad witnessed in 2005.