Naguib Mahfouz, considered to be one of Egypt’s finest writers, utilizes his ability to skillfully compose his works, which illustrate the issues plaguing his nation. Such cleverness can be observed in his novel Midaq Alley. As stated by the title, Mahfouz focuses on the turmoil surfacing in an alley in Cairo. Through the development and digression of his characters, Mahfouz highlights the toll which circumstantial poverty can have on a closed-off society. A revolutionary period for Egypt led the creation of quick jobs and the breakdown of secrecy amongst the partitions of Cairo. As morals conflicted with the western influences, which found their way into Egypt, the inhabitants of Midaq Alley found themselves being pushed and pulled against
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While some inhabitants resorted to “maiming” themselves for morsels of food, other such as Salim Alwan basked in their own pride. His insatiable nature led to his objectification of Hamida, as he reduced her to being nothing more than something he could have at the “click of his fingers,” in a visual image representing his degrading views. Alwan believed his monetary success placed him in a position where he deserved anything he asked for, corrupt and belittling thoughts increasing into his mind as his digression continued. His scathing referral to Abbas Hilu as a “simpleton barber” further illustrates his egotism, through his disparaging diction. Alwan embodied the gap between Egypt’s classes; his sons were “a judge, an attorney, and the third a doctor,” their success being a result of the privileges they were handed, such as an education. Education was accessible to them, giving them a platform to better their lives. But if education was not available to a character, they made use of other factors in order to grasp a better life. Hussain Kirsha’s eyes were opened to the “undreamed-of luxuries” which became accessible to him after he got a job in the army, his hyperbolized diction representing the disparity between the rich and poor in Egypt. Mahfouz utilized irony heavily in his novel to exemplify how the …show more content…
Sheikh Darwish was one of the more highly educated inhabitants of the alley, but even his job was diluted down to a lower position because he “lacked high qualifications,” during a difficult, war-riddled time. In an ironic visual image, the knowledge that set him apart from the others in the alley held little value in another perspective; despite being educated enough to have a teaching position, Darwish was disadvantaged compared to those who could afford a better education, receiving better qualifications. Darwish was trapped in the same cycle of deficiency as the old man who frequented the café to make money for his son; the old man’s conflicted internal monologue defined a scared man who could not “provide for his son,” allowing for his son to lead a better life than he did. If people were lucky enough to provide for themselves during this time, the ignorance that riddled every inhabitant in the alley bound them to their circumstances. Hussain was adamant that he could “make double” after the war was over, yet his downfall ironically contradicted his boastful tone. He did not save any money and had to return to depending on his parents, in the wretched alley that he despised. But despite their ignorance, inhabitants often had moments of realization.
While some inhabitants resorted to “maiming” themselves for morsels of food, other such as Salim Alwan basked in their own pride. His insatiable nature led to his objectification of Hamida, as he reduced her to being nothing more than something he could have at the “click of his fingers,” in a visual image representing his degrading views. Alwan believed his monetary success placed him in a position where he deserved anything he asked for, corrupt and belittling thoughts increasing into his mind as his digression continued. His scathing referral to Abbas Hilu as a “simpleton barber” further illustrates his egotism, through his disparaging diction. Alwan embodied the gap between Egypt’s classes; his sons were “a judge, an attorney, and the third a doctor,” their success being a result of the privileges they were handed, such as an education. Education was accessible to them, giving them a platform to better their lives. But if education was not available to a character, they made use of other factors in order to grasp a better life. Hussain Kirsha’s eyes were opened to the “undreamed-of luxuries” which became accessible to him after he got a job in the army, his hyperbolized diction representing the disparity between the rich and poor in Egypt. Mahfouz utilized irony heavily in his novel to exemplify how the …show more content…
Sheikh Darwish was one of the more highly educated inhabitants of the alley, but even his job was diluted down to a lower position because he “lacked high qualifications,” during a difficult, war-riddled time. In an ironic visual image, the knowledge that set him apart from the others in the alley held little value in another perspective; despite being educated enough to have a teaching position, Darwish was disadvantaged compared to those who could afford a better education, receiving better qualifications. Darwish was trapped in the same cycle of deficiency as the old man who frequented the café to make money for his son; the old man’s conflicted internal monologue defined a scared man who could not “provide for his son,” allowing for his son to lead a better life than he did. If people were lucky enough to provide for themselves during this time, the ignorance that riddled every inhabitant in the alley bound them to their circumstances. Hussain was adamant that he could “make double” after the war was over, yet his downfall ironically contradicted his boastful tone. He did not save any money and had to return to depending on his parents, in the wretched alley that he despised. But despite their ignorance, inhabitants often had moments of realization.