‘Mi:ra:ma:r’ by Naguib Mahfouz and the post-revolutionary social life in Egypt

Abstract

This dissertation starts with a social and political description of Egypt: two factors which play a very important part in the novel and are also discussed in the present analysis. Reference is made to some historical facts preceding or following the 1952 July Revolution, to be followed by a critical analysis of the novel. These aspects are fundamental in the search for a theory to explain the production of Mi:ra:ma:r. The validity of any such theory is also assessed. Further attempts are made in interpretations regarding linguistic patterns and other literary characterisation and symbolism. It is hoped that this dissertation shows how Naguib Mahfouz has projected Mi:ra:ma:r as the show-piece of his literary and linguistic achievements. This survey leads to the fact that Mi:ra:ma:r shows that Egyptian life and history are basically cyclic to the extent that real progress can never be reached.