In the novel, The Journey of Ibn Fattouma by Naguib Mahfouz, the cycle of life is explained through the metaphor of the land of Gebel. Gebel represents the cycles of life and the perfection many aim to achieve before the clock runs out. Qindil, the main character, leaves his motherland in search of wisdom to aid his land that betrayed him. Throughout his journey he experiences the nakedness of life, injustice, and freedom. At the young age of 20 years old, Qindil leaves his homeland on a journey to find true Islam to save his home. As he enters the first land Qindil notes that, “The people, women and men alike, were as naked as the day they were born” (23). The second that humans enter this world, they are vulnerable. The nakedness that is
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Aman claimed to be “the land of total justice” (114) but was truly not. Fluka,Qindil’s guide, explained that “Every individual is trained for a job and then works. Every individual gets an appropriate wage. It is the sole land that does not know rich and poor. Here there is a justice that no other land can attain even a measure of” (118). Aman’s reasoning for this was that everyone is considered equal because the people have the same jobs, homes, and wages. This is communism. Though communism is not entirely negative, the terms of which the people of Aman live in is restricting. It should be noted that the president of Aman was “of medium height, excessively fat, and with coarsely noted distinct features” (127). The leaders were fat while the citizens were skinny due to consuming a small but equal portion of food. This is clearly not fair. It is unfair in the eyes of Qindil because people have the chance to work for their own dreams and not live to work for someone else’s dream. He notes that like Gebel, the people are striving for …show more content…
Personally, this had been my goal for a very long time. From both my mother’s and father’s side mental illness is prevalent and runs through all the generations. It was no surprise that it got to me as well. What was a surprise, was how hard it hit me. From a young age, I knew something was not right. It was hard to handle and for a very long time I was in a dark place. I fought tooth and nail to be where I am today. The second I felt the breeze of freedom I felt I was ready for the next step in my life which was peace. Qindil experiences something similar when he is imprisoned for life. “I gave myself over to my fate. I buried my hopes. I bade farewell to my past, my present, and my future” (71). During the 20 years in jail Qindil lost all hope in his journey. He gave up on ever completing life’s cycles and finding perfection. After he is released he finds that hope again and is determined to finish his journey. Qindil stated that he “started as a traveler and as a traveler I would continue on my way”. The freedom of physically and mentally escaping the darkness allowed Qindil to continue his way to Gebel despite his
Aman claimed to be “the land of total justice” (114) but was truly not. Fluka,Qindil’s guide, explained that “Every individual is trained for a job and then works. Every individual gets an appropriate wage. It is the sole land that does not know rich and poor. Here there is a justice that no other land can attain even a measure of” (118). Aman’s reasoning for this was that everyone is considered equal because the people have the same jobs, homes, and wages. This is communism. Though communism is not entirely negative, the terms of which the people of Aman live in is restricting. It should be noted that the president of Aman was “of medium height, excessively fat, and with coarsely noted distinct features” (127). The leaders were fat while the citizens were skinny due to consuming a small but equal portion of food. This is clearly not fair. It is unfair in the eyes of Qindil because people have the chance to work for their own dreams and not live to work for someone else’s dream. He notes that like Gebel, the people are striving for …show more content…
Personally, this had been my goal for a very long time. From both my mother’s and father’s side mental illness is prevalent and runs through all the generations. It was no surprise that it got to me as well. What was a surprise, was how hard it hit me. From a young age, I knew something was not right. It was hard to handle and for a very long time I was in a dark place. I fought tooth and nail to be where I am today. The second I felt the breeze of freedom I felt I was ready for the next step in my life which was peace. Qindil experiences something similar when he is imprisoned for life. “I gave myself over to my fate. I buried my hopes. I bade farewell to my past, my present, and my future” (71). During the 20 years in jail Qindil lost all hope in his journey. He gave up on ever completing life’s cycles and finding perfection. After he is released he finds that hope again and is determined to finish his journey. Qindil stated that he “started as a traveler and as a traveler I would continue on my way”. The freedom of physically and mentally escaping the darkness allowed Qindil to continue his way to Gebel despite his