THE QUR’ÓNIC VERSION OF THE STORY OFYUSUF (JOSEPH): LABOVIAN ANALYSIS OFAZÔZ-I-MIØR EPISODE

Abstract

Qur’Énic narratives mostly show great affinities with human techniques of narration. This paper analyses the linguistic aspect of AzÊz-i-MiÎr episode, a sub-plot of the story of Yusuf (Joseph) as narrated in the Holy Qur’Én. This episode maintains minimum standard to be a complete story. To highlight structural elements of this story, Labov’s Model of Narrative Analysis has been followed. The Model gives description of a story through dividing it into six constituting parts, i.e. Abstract, Orientation, Complicating Action, Result or resolution, Evaluation, and Coda. The study confirms the presence of all elements of Labov’s linguistic model in the story. Although the model has been designed to examine the structure of the stories of personal experience, the Qur’Énic story of Yusuf (AzÊz-i-MiÎr episode) lends itself to Labov’s Model of Narrative Analysis so admirably well. In this way, the affinity and deep-rooted relation of human narrative with Qur’Énic stories is established.