The Department of English Language, Faculty of Education, Al-Zahraa University for Women, in cooperation with the Department of Continuing Education, organised a scientific workshop entitled ”Inferno” by Dan Brown. The workshop was presented by Asst. Lect. Amani Abd Al-Kadhim, in one of the department’s lecture halls.

The workshop was attended by a number of academic staff members and female students. It explored the theory of autoimmunity as a medical concept applied to literary analysis, demonstrating how the theory reflects the notion of self-inflicted harm undertaken with the belief of saving others.

Drawing on examples from the novel, the workshop explained how some individuals develop distorted patterns of thinking that may drive them towards acts of violence, such as killing or terrorism, even at the expense of harming themselves or those close to them. Despite believing that their actions serve the greater good, such individuals are often influenced by deeply rooted psychological disorders that become increasingly difficult to treat once they reach advanced stages.

The workshop concluded by emphasising the importance of offering compassionate support to individuals seeking help for psychological distress. It highlighted the need to listen attentively rather than respond with hostility, as confrontational approaches may exacerbate the problem. Early psychological intervention, the workshop stressed, is essential to preventing such disorders from developing into more serious conditions.

Translated by Zahra’ Ala’