ENL 423 – MODERN AFRICAN PROSE

GROUP FOUR PRESENTATION

THE THIEF AND THE DOGS by Naguib Mahfouz

Overview
The year is 1961, and Egypt's revolutionary fervor has morphed into disillusionment. The
shadows of betrayal and unfulfilled promises cast a long shadow over the nation, a palpable
reality that permeates every aspect of Said's life. Released from prison after four years, he
finds himself a stranger in his own world. His wife, the embodiment of trust, has married his
accomplice, and his mentor, a source of guidance, has abandoned him. This sense of
dislocation, of being adrift in a sea of societal upheaval, serves as the foundation upon which
Said's tragic narrative unfolds.
Said Mahran, a skilled thief, returns from prison after four years seeking revenge against
those who betrayed him - his wife, Nabawiyya, and his accomplice, Ilish Sidra, who are now
married, and his mentor, Rauf Ilwan who does not accept him at his return. He tries to kill his
‘enemies’ as a way of revenge but ends up killing two innocent people and keeping the
community in a state of unrest. He is killed by the police while he tries to escape.

Historical Significance

Published in 1961, the novella reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of Egypt after the 1952
revolution. The characters' struggles embody the clash between traditional values and
revolutionary ideals, highlighting the socio-political complexities of the era. Mahfouz's
critique of social injustice and political corruption resonated with a generation grappling with
change.

The Egyptian Revolution had overthrown the Monarchy and installed the Egyptian Republic
with the natives expecting a change but the revolution had not brought forth any change.
Rather, the gap between the rich and the poor seemed to get wider.

THEORY
The situations in the novel exemplify class struggle therefore, we can criticize this novel
using the Marxist theory. Marxism classifies society into two: the Bourgeoisie (the upper
class) and the Proletariat (the lower class).
The novel tells us that Said started stealing from the rich because he considered it as justice to
steal from the elite who stole from the government and distribute it to the poor. His guiding
principle was that stealing from the rich in an unjust society is an act of justice. This principle
was upheld by Said and his ‘enemies’ prior to his imprisonment but Said realizes after his
release that they no longer reason the same way since Ilish and Rauf have now become
members of the Upper class. This realization fuels Said’s hatred and desire for revenge.
The novel engages with Marxist theory to examine socio-economic disparities and power
dynamics within Egyptian society. Mahfouz critiques the class structure, corruption, and
inequality that shape Said's life and choices, reflecting Marxist concepts of exploitation and
class struggle.

WHY THE CHARACTERS ACT THE WAY THEY DO.

The main character, Said Mahran, is driven by a deep desire to take revenge on his ‘enemies’
for betraying him. His closest accomplice had turned him in for arrest, married his wife and
taken custody of his daughter, Sana. His mentor, Rauf Ilwan, a former revolutionary writer
that now owns a newspaper column does not agree want Said around him anymore as he no
longer supports the ‘justice’ in theft.
Said considers the actions of the aforementioned people as betrayal, he even calls Rauf a
traitor. This makes him seek revenge on them. He decides to burgle Rauf’s house but is
caught midway. Rauf threatens to send him back to prison and sends him away.
The depth of the betrayal is what makes Said decide to punish his enemies by killing them.
He unintentionally kills two innocent people at Ilish and Rauf’s houses respectively. The
reception and popularity of the news of Said’s murder makes him feel like a hero since every
person, policeman and newspaper are in search of him.
Said’s attitude throughout the novel is one bent on revenge. He is consumed with thoughts on
how to punish his ex-wife, Nabawiyyah, his former friend, Ilish, and his former mentor Rauf
Ilwan, as well as get his young daughter back. In many parts of the novel, Said’s tone and
mood is enraged, hostile and gloomy. The only time Said acts differently is when he is
around Nur or Tarzan who are both warm and welcoming towards him.
As a result of his anger and desire for revenge, Said becomes increasingly reckless and
impulsive hoping to regain some of the power and control that he has lost. He also becomes
increasingly paranoid and suspicious of those around him, believing that everyone is out to
get him.
The consequences of every action is dependent on the recipient and a person’s level of
acceptance to life perception. The writer tries to use the characters in the novella to decipher
the reaction for every good and bad deal that happens in the journey of life. Said Mahran the
protagonist is a perfect example of one who has a reason for everything he does.
Said is driven by a combination of personal vendetta, a search for justice, and a longing for a
life that has slipped away from him. His actions can be seen as a deliberate attempt to reclaim
what he believes is rightfully his and to confront those who have wronged him. However, it is
also worth noting that Said's actions can be interpreted as being influenced by external forces
such as societal constraints, his own past, and the circumstances he finds himself in.
The characters in the novel are not fully developed but all other characters act in accordance
to the changing times and seasons. They act out of a need for survival and conformity to
societal expectations, highlighting the impact of external pressures on individual behaviour.

THEMES AND HOW THEY ARE REALIZED

Betrayal births revenge: Said is pushed by a force of vengeance and revenge because of the
betrayal from the people he loves. His four year jail term was orchestrated by his former
friend Ilish who turns Said into the hands of the police for theft. The impact of the betrayal
worsens when he discovers that Ilish is now married to his ex-wife, Nabawiyyah who
divorced him while serving his jail term. His daughter Sana is also isolated from him and
lives with Nabawiyyah and Ilish. Said is also betrayed by Rauf, his former mentor, who
encouraged him to steal in the past. During Said’s internal monologue, he mentions Rauf
Ilwan multiple times, citing the instances that he had helped Said and how true his values
were. “Isn’t it justice,” he’d shouted, “that what is taken by theft should be retrieved by
theft?” (Mahfouz 232). Said then likens Rauf’s change of ideology to his wife’s betrayal.
“Where have all your principles gone now, Rauf? Dead… like my wife’s fidelity.” (Mahfouz
232). However, Said feels betrayed by Rauf for refusing to offer him a job in his newspaper
company.
These different instances of betrayal births a revengeful Said whose only life goal is to make
his ‘enemies’ pay for their acts of treason. He becomes so hardened that he is happy to be
called a murderer in addition to being a thief.

The failure of revolution: The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 is referred to only obliquely,
but Mahfouz comments on the various disappointments that resulted. The revolution allowed
men like Ilish and especially Rauf to flourish, men whose revolutionary ideals were easily
corrupted by power and privilege. Those who could not parlay their military experience into
something lucrative languished, their service forgotten. The ubiquity is also a comment on
the post-revolutionary period, which became authoritarian in a way the revolutionaries either
did not expect.

The impact of society: The story also explores the impact of society on the characters. Said
is a product of his environment, and his life of crime is a result of the poverty and desperation
that he has experienced. The other characters in the story are also shaped by their experiences
and the social and economic conditions that they live in.

IDEOLOGIES AND THE MESSAGE TO AFRICANS

While set in a specific historical context, "The Thieves and the Dogs" resonates far beyond its
temporal setting. The novel's enduring message lies in its exploration of timeless human
struggles including:

● The dangers of unchecked anger and the destructive nature of revenge.

 ● The corrosive effects of betrayal and the importance of trust in human relationships.

● The search for identity and meaning in a constantly changing world.

● The yearning for connection and the challenges of overcoming alienation.

Mahfouz masterfully casts a discerning eye on the idealized revolution and its subsequent
disillusionment, exposing the flaws in both. He showcases the initial hope and promise
dashed by unfulfilled expectations and societal decay, prompting readers to question the
efficacy of revolutionary ideals. He compels us to question authority figures, societal norms,
and the very motivations that drive our actions. By presenting morally ambiguous characters
and their choices, Mahfouz urges us to critically examine the power structures and societal
norms that influence our behaviour.

Mahfouz critiques the corrupting influence of power, showcasing how it can distort
individuals and societal structures. The novel communicates a message about the importance
of self-reflection and the potential for redemption, offering hope even in the face of societal
challenges.

While set in Egypt, the themes resonate more with a broader African audience facing similar
socio-political issues making the novel relevant and relatable across borders. In essence, the
thief and the dogs masterfully weaves together personal and societal struggles presenting a
thought-provoking narrative that transcends its specific historical and cultural context.

The novel also exemplifies that change is constant and individuals have to grow with it. Ilish
and Rauf understood this and grew with the systems but Said is unwilling to change which is
why he considered their actions as treason.

CONCLUSION

Through the novel, we are able to see that it was the societal conditions that pushed Said into
becoming the pessimistic and cynical character that he is.
The reflections of Egyptian culture derived from the novel can be applicable to other cultures
too. The social alienation that drove Said to be marked by hatred, to steal, and to continue
looking for the dogs despite being searched for the police, being talked about in the press, and
accidently killing two innocent people, is not an experience exclusive to him, or to one
conditioned in a post-revolutionary Egypt.

It has to do with countering a sense of powerlessness, these individuals attempt to overcome

agents that are beyond their control in order to exert their freedom and will to mend
impracticalities in their favor, in the same way that Said attempted to take justice into his own
hands. This was an occurrence in which the theme of existentialism was expressed in the
novel. It is in this manner that Mahfouz was able to humanize his characters and their state of
affairs in Egypt.