Satire In Naguib Mahfouz's Midaq Alley

“Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own” (Jonathan Swift). From literary works to social media; irony and sarcasm are particularly common but rarely recognized, mentioned devices don’t only criticize others but expose their stupidities as well. In Midaq Alley, Naguib Mahfouz uses satire to express his own disdain and judgment for social groups he encounters. Moreover, he shows and criticizes the use of satire by other characters revealing the flaws of the ones who judge. Indeed, he reminds the reader of the flaws of his and their society, showing this device as a weapon not only to the weak but also to others weaknesses. The author uses satire expose and criticize different social groups

In particular, he uses Sheik Darwish as he is often ridiculing others. Portrayed as an admirable character due to his high devotion to religion, Sheik Darwish current use of ridicule shows how he is not as excellent as various might think. For instance, besides ridiculing Krisha and his homosexuality he is constantly ridiculing illiterate people. He ridicules illiterates as he is constantly spelling all the words he says, with this action he oppresses minorities without education, using satire and knowledge as his weapon. Therefore, he becomes more powerful. As Darwish utilizes this ridicule, the reader encounters it interesting or even amusing, but as the reader analyzes it, Sheik Darwish losses his little charming. In addition to this ridicule, Sheik Darwish ridicules Kirsha when he says, “Oh Kirsha, your wife is a strong woman. Indeed, she has masculinity which many men lack. She is really a male, not a female. Why don't you love her, then?" (Naguib Mahfouz 103). Darwish ridicules Kirsha and makes others follow his lead, this way Kirsha becomes oppressed. This example of ‘dark-satire’ causes others laugh giving credit to the critiquer, but in reality, it offends many. Thus, the reader laughs, but also feels guilty about mocking at Kirsha and starts questioning the Darwish and his power.

Specifically, Mahfouz uses the irony of the British army expressing his own disdain and criticism of this upper power and how it oppresses the poor even when is formed by it. Abbas and Hussainy suffer both the consequences of the British. The first one is Hussainy who despite helping in the army, ends in poverty; secondly, Abbas whose violent death by the British in a bar ends the novel. The ironic end of both characters shows the consequences of the British influences in the Egyptians. As the British influenced both men, rather than only criticizing the British, Mahfouz criticizes their influence and how bigger and powerful masses control small ones. The irony of this is not only the one that Mahfouz states but also how common is this still nowadays and how society keeps falling into this trap. When, in reference to the British, Hussainy says “ Who can expect any justice for them?”(Mahfouz 283) after killing Abbas, Mahfouz tries to explain the unfairness of this unbalance of power as the British are never responsible for what they did. The reader feels connected to this topic as this often happens no matter the place, bigger masses take control and influence small ones, damaging and changing