Emotional intelligence is one of the modern concepts that has gained increasing importance in psychological and social studies, due to its role in improving human relationships, developing personal and social skills, and influencing sound decision-making and emotional control in various situations. Among theoretical approaches, Daniel Goleman’s model stands out, as he presented a comprehensive vision of emotional intelligence built on five components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, which he considered essential for success in personal, professional, and social life. This research analyzes the manifestations of emotional intelligence in the novel Fumbi by Badriya al-Badri, using Goleman’s classification, and explores how these components are reflected in the characters’ behaviors and their relation to psychological and social contexts. The study followed a descriptive-analytical method by examining the novel’s text and identifying situations that reveal elements of emotional intelligence. The findings show that the characters displayed varying levels of emotional intelligence: self-awareness appeared in recognizing their emotions, self-regulation in controlling reactions especially the heroine’s motivation in persistence against difficulties, empathy in understanding others’ feelings, and social skills in building relationships and gaining trust.
Keywords: Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence, Badriya Al-Badri, Fumbi novel.
 
Introduction
This study examines the representation of emotional intelligence (EI) in Badria Al-Badri's novel "Fombi" through Daniel Goleman's theoretical framework. Emotional intelligence, encompassing self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, significantly influences personal development and social interactions. The research aims to analyze how these EI components manifest in the novel's characters and narrative, exploring their psychological and literary significance within contemporary Arabic fiction.
Materials & Methods
The research employs qualitative textual analysis of "Fombi", focusing on key passages that exemplify Goleman's EI components. The methodology combines close reading techniques with systematic application of Goleman's framework to identify and categorize instances of emotional intelligence. Selected scenes are analyzed for their demonstration of self-awareness, emotional regulation, motivational patterns, empathetic responses, and social interactions, with particular attention to the protagonist's psychological development throughout the narrative.
Discussion & Results
The analysis reveals sophisticated portrayals of emotional intelligence in "Fombi". The protagonist demonstrates remarkable self-awareness through introspective moments and emotional honesty. Self-regulation emerges in crisis situations where characters control impulsive reactions. Motivational patterns appear in characters' perseverance despite adversity, while empathy is shown through nuanced understanding of others' emotions. Social skills manifest in complex relationship dynamics and conflict resolution. These findings validate Goleman's model while highlighting cultural specificities in EI expression within Arab literary contexts. The novel's narrative structure effectively utilizes EI components to drive character development and thematic depth
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that "Fombi" provides a compelling literary representation of Goleman's emotional intelligence framework. The novel's nuanced portrayal of EI components offers valuable insights into psychological development within Arab cultural contexts. The research establishes the effectiveness of applying psychological theories to literary analysis while revealing how emotional intelligence operates as both character trait and narrative device. These findings suggest potential for further interdisciplinary research combining psychological frameworks with literary studies, particularly in examining cultural variations in emotional intelligence representations across different literary traditions.