Power and Communication in La Maison de Cicine by Mohamed Nedali

Abstract

This study examines the intricate dynamics of power and communication in Mohamed Nedali's novel La Maison de Cicine, exploring how fundamentalist ideologies operate through sophisticated mechanisms of control and manipulation. Utilizing Michel Foucault's theoretical framework of power relations, the research investigates the microcosm of Dar Louriki, a shared living space in Marrakech that serves as a rich analytical site for understanding complex social interactions. The analysis focuses on Sheikh Ocean of Knowledge, a central character who exemplifies how power is exercised through nuanced communicative strategies. The research reveals two primary modes of communication: intimate "fraternal conversations" and public sermons, which function as sophisticated instruments of psychological manipulation and social control. Through these communicative techniques, the Sheikh establishes a comprehensive system of domination that penetrates the psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of the house's inhabitants. By employing cognitive theories such as cognitive dissonance and protection motivation theory, the study deconstructs the Sheikh's rhetorical approaches. These strategies involve creating psychological discomfort, leveraging fear-based persuasion, and exploiting religious discourse to maintain authority. The research demonstrates how communication becomes a double-edged sword—simultaneously reinforcing power structures while revealing their inherent vulnerabilities. The characters of Leïla and Idar emerge as critical sites of resistance, challenging the Sheikh's oppressive system through their individual agency. Their tragic narrative illustrates the persistent tension between systemic power and individual freedom, transcending the specific Moroccan context to explore universal themes of domination, communication, and human dignity. Ultimately, the study offers a critical examination of how radical ideologies construct and sustain their dominance through complex communicative strategies. By mapping the intricate power dynamics within Dar Louriki, the research uncovers the sophisticated mechanisms through which fundamentalist narratives seek to control individual identities and suppress alternative perspectives.