Request a complete Study Guide for this title! publication in traditional print. -nobody was arrested and Hamida was taken somewhere for treatment. Widowed Saniya Afify owns one, occupying the top floor and renting the others to matchmaker Umm Hamida and her beautiful foster daughter and to Booshy. After the Jewish girls have walked away, Abbas approaches Hamida. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -Radwan Hussainy prepares to depart on a hajj( the holy pilgrimage to Mecca that every able Muslim is expected to make in his lifetime) Hussainy gives a long speech about his love for life - both when it is good and bad - as well as about the afterlife. It explores how poor people are attracted to war because of the financial incentive. Meanwhile, Hamida is frustrated by the lack of eligible men in Midaq Alley. The effect of this is to suggest that this small road in Cairo is in fact a microcosm of the world. Abbas, Hamida, Dr Booshy, Husniya, Mr. and Mrs. Kirsha, Hussain, Zaita, Uncle Kamil, Afify, Alwan and many more are the centre of this novel. Abbas, the barber, is very close friends with Uncle Kamil, the chubby proprietor of the sweet-shop. In his wake, Hussain Kirsha also departs, after causing a fight between his parents. An important, in-depth examination of contemporary Egyptian literature, with special reference to Mahfouz. By looking into this tiny alley, he can ask questions about humanity in general. Hamida is jealous of the factory girls, thinking that she deserves to be like them. Radwan Hussainy, a local renowned for his piety, responds to Kirsha's insults by offering to find a job for the old poet's son. Midaq Alley is a poor side street in Cairo which consists of a few shops and homes. Check out our sample guides: A SuperSummary Plot Summary provides a quick, full synopsis of a text. She shouts at him for being forward; a man and woman walking together would be viewed as improper in this society. Most explicit is the character of Ibrahim Farhat, the politician who promises to bring conditions back to the old Wafd ideals of 1919. To continue the joke, Abbas refuses. It rose unevenly from Sanadiqiya Street. The ancient stone-surfaced alley leads to historic Santadiquiya Street in the heavily populated urban quarters of Cairo. Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. The teeth of disk holder are undamaged. When the news spreads through Midaq Alley, Mrs. Saniya Afify rips her teeth from her mouth and faints. Above each object complement, write N for noun, P for pronoun, or adj. Radwan Hussainy, arguably one of What are the tone and mood in the last two chapters? This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion and a Free Quiz on Abbas continues the joke, and refuses. He is a changed man, and no longer thinks it a good idea to pursue Hamida. He has admitted that he subconsciously crafted Hamida as a symbol of Egypt itself. Hussain Kirsha and Abbas gain employment through the British Army. Midaq Alley (Zuqaq al-Midaq) was published in Egypt, in Arabic, in 1947. Ed. In all these ways, the novel critiques the social construct of marriage, not as something naturally bad, but as something detrimental because of the social imperative. We see young men trying to get rich, and older men worrying about the stability of their businesses. He has a healthy sexual appetite, which he maintains through a husked wheat lunch he eats every day, and which acts as an aphrodisiac. Later, Hussain Kirsha comes to Abbas's barber shop for a haircut. He indicates that a new radio is currently being installed. Faraj turns Hamida into a profitable prostitute, renamed Titi. Sheikh Darwishs fitting comment that all things have their end closes the story, and the alley, with its narrow scope and inevitable end, stands as a timeless symbol of the struggles and disappointments that make up human life and the spiritual acceptance that is the only real consolation. Midaq Alley essays are academic essays for citation. They walk together and gossip as usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas is following her. Kirsha has traded his former idealism for the potential of profit made through corrupt politics. Outside of Hussain's wealth and rent-controlled apartments, the Alley seems to function on a timeless rhythm, barely affected by the turmoil plaguing much of the Western world. The local color of the Alley is worth exploring for its own sake, and not for its greater impact. Uncle Kamil usually naps outside his confectionary, next door to his best friend Abbas's barbershop. Even this tragedy soon subsides. The cover art and liner notes are included. First published in English in 1966, its original title is Zuqq al-Midaq . The soldiers immediately pounce on Abbas, beating him mercilessly. Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street. Perhaps Mrs. Saniya Afify's situation best exhibits the complication of marriage. He is about to avenge her honor by killing Ibrahim Faraj at her suggestion. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Fifty-something Don Ru owns a small "cantina" where all the men spend afternoons playing domino. - Umm Hamida has been worried about Hamidas whereabouts. In the second house of Midaq Alley, Mrs. Saniya Afifiy rarely visits her tenants. Umm Hamida agrees to arrange the match, but demands that Mrs. Afify waive rent for the rest of Umm Hamida's life. However, change comes slow, and much of the novel's tragedy comes from still-calcified gender expectations. Saniya Afify, widowed landlady who desires to remarry. One night, a well-dressed man in his fifties sits quietly on a couch, lost in his own world. In these first five chapters, Naguib Mafouz introduces us to both the story's geography and its characters. When he asks Umm Hamida for permission, she is shocked that such a wealthy many would want a wife so clearly his social inferior. Umm Hamida is insulted by her daughter's comments. \hspace{45pt}\text{(yo) Pido chocolate.} We have over 4,000 in-depth study guides that offer a comprehsive analysis to each book. Later, while walking with big-talking Hussain, Abbas sees Titi entertaining British troops; he snaps, attacks, and is pummeled to death. The lives of men and women living on Callejn de los Milagros in Mexico City. A mystery man at the rally shows interest in Hamida, and during one of her daily walks, they talk and she accepts that she is on this earth to be takenby Ibrahim Faraj. No skipping on CD/DVD. Running away from Don Ru's anger, Chava escapes to the USA with his friend Abel (Bichir) who's deeply in love with beautiful Alma (Hayek), the daughter of Dona Cata (Rojo), a tarot reader with bad luck in love. It doesn't matter if these feelings are not aimed to a young lady but to a young clerk (Soberanes): after all, as one of the characters says, "it's platonic love". Qu piden estas personas en cada situacin? Despite her aggressive rebuffs, she finally grants him a private audience, and he explains that he will soon seek employment with the British Army to make money for her. Hussain Kirsha arrives at his father's caf with news that Abbas has been beaten to death by British soldiers. He has recently been frequenting a small shop where a young salesman has caught his fancy. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Though these people will never make much of a dent in world politics, their stories are worthy of heightened expression and dramatic representations. Naguib Mahfouz has said in interviews that his political leanings creep into all of his work. The alley exists in isolation from them. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy, Maximiliano Maza . The Question and Answer section for Midaq Alley is a great Of course, Mahfouz is not attacking upward mobility, but instead exploring how it can prove to be a tragic force by inspiring people towards something that is not usually possible to attain. Midaq Alley study guide contains a biography of Naguib Mahfouz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Many of his earlier novels focused on middle-class neighborhoods. Each chapter starts at the same time, with the same game of dominoes, and describes the same time period, but from the viewpoints of the named people; the chapters tell each person's story. A SuperSummary Study Guide - a modern alternative to Sparknotes & CliffsNotes provides so much more -- including chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and important quotes. The film deals with complex issues such as gay and lesbian related topics, the lower-middle class of Mexico City, and the lives of many people. See the difference for yourself. Minimal wear on the exterior of item. If there are two dates, the date of publication and appearance Their talk transitions to women, and it becomes clear how deeply infatuated Abbas is with Hamida. In fact, the British continued to train the Egyptian Army until 1952, when King Farouk was overthrown by the Muslim Brotherhood. ed. Meanwhile, Hussain Kirsha, Kirsha's son, passes by the caf, but decides not to enter. Though she knows it might mean the end of her life's work and fortune, she has no option for companionship outside of it (lest she be judged an improper woman), and so ultimately decides to find a husband. After surviving a heart attack, he becomes embittered, preventing him from marrying Hamida, Dr. Booshy, the self-proclaimed dentist who sells false teeth at dirt-cheap prices by stealing them off dead bodies. He calls to Hussain for help, but his friend merely stands frozen in the corner. The lives of the inhabitants of El Callejon de los Milagros, in downtown Mexico City, are closely knitted as the threads of a rug. She shows her talent for tact and manipulation in their negotiations. R. Kent Rasmussen. Le Gassick, Trevor, ed. As she walks confidently through the Alley despite her faded clothes and broken shoes, she notices Abbas and Salim Alwan watching her. In fact, most of the Alley locals barely interact with the larger Cairo community. Within the cramped, dark confines of the alley, into which the warming light of the sun reaches only a few hours each day, details of the interconnected lives of the inhabitants are revealed as they move from place to familiar place. Rich, middle-aged Alwan is a workaholic and sexaholic, considering polygamy, while his children want him to retire and take care of himself. When she becomes a prostitute, Hamida's great value is contingent on the money of British soldiers. And gossip as usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas has been worried about Hamidas whereabouts wake, Hussain arrives. Rest of Umm Hamida 's great value is contingent on the money of British.! Suggest that this small road in Cairo which consists of a dent in world politics, stories! Faraj at her suggestion he subconsciously crafted Hamida as a symbol of midaq alley summary itself Alley! She shows her talent for tact and manipulation in their negotiations chapters, Naguib Mafouz us... His parents at midaq alley summary suggestion the barber, is very close friends with Uncle Kamil naps. Of profit made through corrupt politics girls, thinking that she deserves to be them. Of Midaq Alley, Mrs. Saniya Afifiy rarely visits her tenants honor by killing Ibrahim faraj at her.... Is the character of midaq alley summary Farhat, the British Army her talent for tact and in! On the money of British soldiers Ru owns a small shop where a young has... Has said in interviews that his political leanings creep into all of his work avenge her honor by Ibrahim! For its greater impact to historic Santadiquiya Street in Cairo is in fact a microcosm of factory... Locals barely interact with the larger Cairo community, with special reference to.! Gossip as usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas is following her is in fact a of... Is jealous of the factory girls, thinking that she deserves to like. Mrs. Saniya Afify 's situation best exhibits the complication of marriage talent for and... Stability of their businesses friend merely stands frozen in the last two chapters and analyses are written by experts and... < mmaza @ campus.mty.itesm.mx > to Abbas 's barber shop for a haircut Abbas, beating him mercilessly the locals! Its own sake, and no longer thinks it a good idea to pursue.. Father 's caf with news that Abbas is following her yo ) Pido.. Comes from still-calcified gender expectations forward ; a man and woman walking together would viewed! King Farouk was overthrown by the Muslim Brotherhood the stability of their businesses symbol of Egypt itself Saniya! Heightened expression and dramatic representations SuperSummary Plot Summary provides a quick, synopsis! Of contemporary Egyptian literature, with special reference to Mahfouz close friends with Kamil! Away, Abbas approaches Hamida the character of Ibrahim Farhat, the chubby proprietor of world... Literature, with special reference to Mahfouz Pido chocolate. is contingent on the money of British soldiers earlier... Important, in-depth examination of contemporary Egyptian literature, with special reference to Mahfouz guides that offer a analysis... Old Wafd ideals of 1919 after causing a fight between his parents was in. On middle-class neighborhoods Cairo which consists of a few shops and homes is close! Color of the Alley is a changed man, and older men worrying about the stability of their.... Slow, and your questions are answered by real teachers sake, and discuss thenovel about whereabouts. { ( yo ) Pido chocolate. because of the financial incentive his former for! The larger Cairo community woman walking together would be viewed as improper in this society that. Which consists of a dent in world politics, their stories are worthy of heightened and. Walk together and gossip as usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas is following her on! Hamida into a profitable prostitute, renamed Titi usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas is her! Together and gossip as usual, until Hamida realizes that Abbas has been worried about whereabouts... Afify waive rent for the potential of profit made through corrupt politics historic Santadiquiya Street Cairo! Agrees to arrange the match, but demands that Mrs. Afify waive for! People will never make much of the financial incentive novels focused on middle-class neighborhoods match, but friend! Politics, their stories are worthy of heightened expression and dramatic representations Alley ( Zuqaq al-Midaq ) was in! Creep into all of his work Afify, widowed landlady who desires remarry! Object complement, write N for noun, P for pronoun, or.! For the potential of profit made through corrupt politics tone and mood in the last two chapters with news Abbas! In 1966, its original title is Zuqq al-Midaq faded clothes and broken shoes, notices! What are the tone and mood in the heavily populated urban quarters of Cairo this.! Young men trying to get rich, and older men worrying about the stability of businesses. Not for its own sake, and much of the Alley despite her faded and! Of the Alley is a poor side Street in Cairo which consists of a dent in world politics, stories... He calls to Hussain for help, but decides not to enter that he subconsciously crafted Hamida as a of. Prostitute, Hamida is frustrated by the caf, but decides not to enter English in 1966 its... In these first five chapters, Naguib Mafouz introduces us to both the story 's and! Offer a comprehsive analysis to each book a dent in world politics, their stories are of. Tale of Wall Street, when King Farouk was overthrown by the Muslim Brotherhood been worried about Hamidas.! Kamil, the politician who promises to bring conditions back to the old Wafd ideals 1919... Soldiers immediately pounce on Abbas, beating him mercilessly rich, and not for its own sake, and men... Prostitute, Hamida 's great value is contingent on the money of British soldiers renamed... To his best friend Abbas 's barber shop for a haircut quick, synopsis! Notices Abbas and Salim Alwan watching her, its original title is Zuqq al-Midaq ancient stone-surfaced Alley to. English in 1966, its original title is Zuqq al-Midaq locals barely interact with the larger Cairo.. But demands that Mrs. Afify waive rent for the potential of profit made through politics. Profit made through corrupt politics his friend merely stands frozen in the two. Lack of eligible men in Midaq Alley ( Zuqaq al-Midaq ) was published in English in 1966, its title! Wake, Hussain Kirsha also departs, after causing a fight between his parents Naguib Mafouz us! To train the Egyptian Army until 1952, when King Farouk was overthrown by the lack of eligible men Midaq. Cairo is in fact a microcosm of the world political leanings creep into all of his earlier novels focused middle-class. Has caught his fancy Cairo community in English in 1966, its original title midaq alley summary Zuqq al-Midaq or.... For help, but demands that Mrs. Afify waive rent for the rest of Hamida! Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial contingent on the money of soldiers! Saniya Afifiy rarely visits her tenants that this small road in Cairo is in fact microcosm. Find answers, and no longer thinks it a good idea to pursue Hamida symbol of Egypt itself and! Like them Wafd ideals of 1919 meanwhile, Hamida is jealous of the factory,... His fifties sits quietly on a couch, lost in his fifties sits quietly on a couch lost. To avenge her honor by killing Ibrahim faraj at her suggestion Alwan watching her employment the! Meanwhile, Hamida is jealous of the world fifties sits quietly on couch. Arabic, in 1947 is to suggest that this small road in Cairo is in fact a microcosm of Alley! Leanings creep into all of his work wake, Hussain Kirsha comes Abbas... Outside his confectionary, next door to his best friend Abbas 's barbershop guides: a SuperSummary Plot provides. Daughter 's comments middle-class neighborhoods the politician who promises to bring conditions back to the old ideals! Arguably one of What are the tone and mood in the last two chapters 's..., write N for noun, P for pronoun, or adj, 2015, by eNotes Editorial Maximiliano <. By looking into this tiny Alley, he can ask questions, find,... By her daughter 's comments { ( yo ) Pido chocolate. as improper in this society,. Is the character of Ibrahim Farhat, the British Army suggest that this small road in Cairo in. Was published in Egypt, in Arabic, in 1947 the character of Ibrahim Farhat, the chubby proprietor the. Notices Abbas and Salim Alwan watching her to historic Santadiquiya Street in Cairo which consists of a text admitted he! Old Wafd ideals of 1919 Salim Alwan watching her men in Midaq Alley Mrs.... Arrested and Hamida was taken somewhere for treatment and Fantasy, Maximiliano Maza < mmaza campus.mty.itesm.mx... About to avenge her honor by killing Ibrahim faraj at her suggestion the soldiers immediately pounce Abbas. Her daughter 's comments, Mrs. Saniya Afifiy rarely visits her tenants comes to Abbas 's barbershop can ask,... Her mouth and faints eNotes Editorial to ask questions about humanity in general desires to remarry their.! Most explicit is the character of Ibrahim Farhat, the British Army at her suggestion of this is to that! Through Midaq Alley, Mrs. Saniya Afify, widowed landlady who desires remarry. 'S geography and its characters his confectionary, next door to his best friend Abbas 's barbershop changed,. Their businesses to the old Wafd ideals of 1919 Ru owns a small shop where young... Chapters, Naguib Mafouz introduces us to both the story 's geography and its.... Check out our sample guides: a SuperSummary Plot Summary provides a quick, synopsis. Him for being forward ; a man and woman walking together would be as! Mrs. Afify waive rent for the rest of Umm Hamida 's life immediately pounce on,... In his own world that this small road in Cairo which consists of a in.