The Effect of Semantic Deviation on the Reader's Experience in the Stories of May Beauties by Nasra Al-Zubaidi

Abstract

The research examines the impact of deviation (anomaly) on the reader’s experience in the short story collection Beautiful Women of May. The phenomenon of deviation revolves around departing from the traditional and familiar patterns in language and literary expression. It is one of the rhetorical and linguistic artistic techniques used by writers to stimulate and engage the reader’s imagination. The study explores how deviation is employed within the narrative and how it affects the reader’s experience, perception of the text, and understanding of its meaning.

It also investigates how the phenomenon of deviation influences the reader’s interaction with the text and their ability to interpret the symbols and their multiple dimensions, as well as the various connotations presented by the text. This enhances the reader’s understanding and perception of characters and events. Selected texts from the short story collection Beautiful Women of May will be analyzed to identify the aspects of semantic and structural deviation, and how they are used to create a unique, interactive reading experience. Additionally, the study will examine how deviation strengthens the reader’s role in interpreting the literary text by shaping their expectations and reshaping their experience with the narrative