Session: May 2018
Word Count:
IB Higher Level Written Assignment
The use of Irony and its effects on the theme and events throughout Naguib Mahfouz’s Midaq Alley
In the novel Midaq Alley written by Naguib Mahfouz during the 1940’s in Egypt Alley, which explores the story of different characters living in a poor alley in Egypt during World War II, develops a time of change for Egypt when under British rule. The people that live in the alley include, shopkeepers, artisans,and bazaar merchants, on the one hand, and the poor class such as porters, peddlers, barbers, and domestic servants on the other. There are also classes that have sprung up under the influences of colonialism, such as clerks, westernized professionals, soldiers, and bureaucrats. One of the main characters which Mahfouz chooses writes about is Hamida and her actions by characterization, by contrasting Hamida to others in the alley often the older generation. Mahfouz emphasises multiple changes experienced by the arrival of foreigners to Egypt especially by the women in the alley, specifically through the life Hamida, a character who wants to break through the boundaries set by society. Throughout the novel Naguib Mahfouz has used irony to reveal the overall theme and the events which the characters go through, such as Hamida leaving the Alley, Abbas joining the war and Radwan Hussain leaving for his pilgrimage, Salim Alwan becoming ill even though he was seen as the healthiest, richest man in the alley, and Abbas was killed by British Soldiers, after returning home from the war.
First off, as Mahfouz uses irony throughout the novel, Hamida shows change in all aspects of Egyptian life including religion, monetary and traditions. Mahfouz creates Hamida to be such a rebellious and strong-willed character that he shows the changes and differences between the traditional and the new. Hamida was born in a poor alley in Cairo and has devoted her life towards two objectives, money and freedom. Hamida is a character who will do what she can to better her opportunities to be free from the traditional bonds set by the religious society in which she lives in and to gain more wealth. She has no fear in showing her aggressive behaviour and plans on marrying a successful man who can take her out of the poor alley. Hamida is not afraid to bend cultural traditions if it means making more money as is the case when she becomes a prostitute. For example, “She had anticipated this encounter, but was plagued with doubts; she neither like or disliked. Perhaps it was because he was the only young man in the alley suitable for her for her that she refrained from ignoring him or dealing with him with decisive cruelty… Abbas eyes left her emotionless.”(82) This explains how Hamida is a character who will do what she can to better her opportunities to be free from the traditional bonds set by the religious society in which she lives in and to gain more wealth. Another important technique that Mahfouz chooses in his novel is Characterization. No character stands out as much as Hamida. For instance, "when… she set her delicate lips and narrowed her eyes, she could take on an appearance of strength and determination which was most unfeminine." (24) "Perhaps the most commonly said thing about her was that she hated children and that this unnatural trait made her wild and lacking in the virtues of femininity." (40). The gender roles play an important theme in the novel. Females have the traditional roles of housekeeping and taking care of children. However Hamida wants freedom and escape from tradition because of this she is considered unfeminine.
In addition, Mahfouz uses irony to examine the theme with the use characters because Hussain Kirsha left the alley without the hope of ever returning, but once he left he returned. For example, “Hussainy would leave for Suez on his way to those holy lands, and his house was filled with well-wishers, lifelong friends and devout Muslims….Please my friend don’t remind me of my return.”(269) This suggests that Radwan is dedicated to the presence of the Holy land along with his religion to serve his time by fulfilling his hopes, but yet he still returns to egypt for his other life of working for the money. Furthermore, Salim Alwan become ill even though he was seen as the healthiest, richest man in the alley. Abbas was killed by British Soldiers, after returning home from the war. He was killed because he couldn't let his love for Hamida go.
The younger characters (Hussain Kirsha, Hamida) seek to change their destiny. Abbas accepts his destiny in the alley.
Furthermore, Mahfouz asserts the contrast between the traditional women, who often takes care of children, and Hamida who hates children. For instance Hamida exercises power over all the men she attracts, but refuses to become servile and pregnant and thinks she deserves better than getting married and having children. A main example of this includes “Had it not been for her belief in marriage as her natural destiny she would not have hesitated to reject him cruelly." (82) . This defines. .Another case is Mrs. Saniya Afify being known as a self-sufficient woman who only wants a husband for companionship. Such as "She would tell herself that any husband would be likely to plunder her funds… Despite all this, the idea of marriage had gradually taken root and all her excuses and fears had been wiped out" (19). Mrs. Afify about going to Umm Hamida to be matched. This constructs Mrs. Afify discussing about going to Umm Hamida to be matched with her husband. Moreover, as Egypt was throwing off the shackles of British rule, these characters are emerging from beneath gender roles that have stood for centuries. Most of the marriages in Midaq Alley are marriages of opportunity. Hamida is looking for such a marriage, first with Salim Alwan and then with Ibrahim Faraj.
Additionally, in the event which, Mahfouz describes Hamida realizing a humble young man due to her own greedy ambitions, ignites her natural aggressiveness and turns it into uncontrollable savagery and violence, with foreshadowing the death of Abbas and the use of irony. This consists Hamida deciding to consider his marriage offer after discovering his own plans for escaping Midaq Alley; as she tries to fend off his advances, he finally utters the magic words that open up, if not her heart, at least her coldly calculating brain. For instance, "I am going to work for the British Army and I might be as successful as your brother Hussain! " (85) As a result Abbas departs Midaq Alley to join the war and Hamida becomes a prostitute servicing the needs of the British and American troops in the waning months of WWII.
In conclusion, Hamida leaving the Alley, Abbas joining the war and Radwan Hussain leaving for his pilgrimage are various cases in the novel where Naguib Mahfouz has used irony to reveal the overall theme and the events which the characters go through.