ABSTRACT
This article examines poverty, family disintegration, and the violation of societal norms in Abdo Khal's novel Tarmi Bi Sharar, focusing on how marginalised communities in Saudi Arabia respond to government policies affecting natural resources. Using qualitative methods and Alan Swingewood's sociological framework, the study uncovers the resistance of marginalised characters, particularly Hameed and Salem, to government actions that restrict access to natural resources and eliminate vital income opportunities. The article highlights the Saudi Arabian government's tendency to employ the death penalty as retaliation for acts of disobedience. Policies limiting access to the sea in impoverished areas have intensified poverty, family breakdown, prostitution, theft, alcoholism, and environmental degradation. This research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policies prioritising social welfare and expanding economic opportunities, particularly for marginalised communities in Jeddah. Implementing policies that support the poor and disenfranchised can foster greater security and social harmony in Saudi Arabia while reducing the risk of political unrest resulting from oppressive and inhumane policies.
