The novel Barīd al-Layl by Hoda Barakat is considered one of the most prominent works of contemporary Arabic literature. Through the epistolary structure, it presents a striking portrayal of loneliness, loss of identity, disorientation, and the fragmentation of modern human existence. Each of the novel’s characters, burdened with a painful past and a wounded psyche, turns to writing unanswered letters as a means of searching for meaning in their shattered lives.

The present study aims to conduct a psychological critique of the main characters of this novel, employing a descriptive–analytical approach based on Karen Horney’s theory of neurotic trends. This theory identifies three fundamental tendencies—“moving toward people,” “moving against people,” and “moving away from people”—as maladaptive responses to basic anxiety.

The analysis seeks to demonstrate how Barakat, through her damaged characters, depicts an image of contemporary humanity that resorts to maladaptive personality patterns in response to sociocultural pressures and psychological wounds. In doing so, the study not only analyzes the characters but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the novel’s social and philosophical message.