Fatma Mahmoud Analysis

This article describes a short biography of Naguib Mahfouz. Fatma Moussa Mahmoud, like Rasheed El-Enany and Roger Allen, tries to portray how Mahfouz’s novels were in fact a portrayal of real events that had occurred in Egypt. Mahmoud investigates several themes throughout Mahfouz’s writing, which assist in elucidating his works and in gaining a profound understanding of the Egyptians. In Arabian Nights (1981) she concentrates on the theme of change and suggests that change has not occurred because of modernity but because of the ongoing war in Egypt. She explores a common belief that tumultuous national activity amidst the war has led to rising prices of basic necessary commodities. Mahmoud, like El-Enany, writes this journal in a similar manner, which is

She concentrates on four novels in particular: Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street (1956–1957) and Midaq Alley (1947). This thesis criticizes Mahfouz harshly and demonstrates how he unjustifiably portrays females under a cruel patriarchal society. Oerson outlines how Egyptian women struggled to attain political and social reform for their country, which she alleges that Mahfouz wittingly forgets. She condemns Mahfouz for not staying neutral and for not criticizing the patriarchal authority appropriately. The Trilogy, which portrays in minute detail how males subjugated females in their homes, according to Oerson seems not to be enough. However, I will disagree with this criticism and demonstrate how Mahfouz writes novels in support of women and in particular those who have joined the prostitution industry in order to make a decent living. Love in the Rain (1973) and Midaq Alley (1947) are works defending females and their struggles for their country. In addition, Oerson criticizes Mahfouz and stresses that the author could have written more novels on the subject of Egyptian women being