Based on Egypt’s history, it had been founded and united by the Namer dynasty on 3100-2890 B.C. For several centuries, Egypt continued to flourish in terms of architecture and infrastructure. Thus, Egypt was known as the “Mother of Civilization” for its great landmarks and great hold of culture and tradition. Unfortunately, on 332-323 B.C., the misfortunes of Egypt under the influence of colonization started with Alexander the Great leading the colonization. Egypt endured different periods of colonization with different colonizers, such colonizers were the Greek-Roman colonizers, Islamic Arabs, Turks, French and British Empires. Due to this several periods of colonization, Egypt had withstood all of this but it left a great impact on the mentality and personality of the Egyptians.
These different effects of colonization are symbolically represented in Naguid Mafouz’s The Beginning and The End through the bereaved family of Effendi Kamel Ali. The different members of the family represent the colonial mentality of the Egyptians as a whole. Such representations, though meager as the members are, are still a good way of opening the eyes of the readers on the current state of the Egyptians after the different colonial powers in their mother country.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Different Faces of Egypt's Postcolonial Struggles Represented in Kamel Ali's Family
- Effendi Kamel Ali's Death as a Symbol of Colonial Power
- Samira, the Widow, as a Symbol of Egypt's Strength
- Hassan, the Rebellious Son, Representing Native Egyptians
- Hussein, the Sacrificing Son, Representing Egypt's Glorious Men
- Hassanein, the Selfish Son, Representing the Clash of Social Classes
- Nefisa, the Daughter, Representing Women in Times of Colonialism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The paper examines the various facets of Egypt's postcolonial struggles as depicted in Naguib Mahfouz's "The Beginning and The End." It explores how the different members of Effendi Kamel Ali's family symbolize the colonial mentality of the Egyptians, providing insights into the aftermath of colonial rule.
- The impact of colonial power on the colonized country and its people
- The resilience and strength of the colonized nation in the face of adversity
- The struggle of different social classes in postcolonial Egypt
- The complexities of navigating identity and belonging in a postcolonial society
- The lasting effects of colonial mentality and its influence on individuals
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper analyzes the symbolic representations of postcolonial struggles within the Kamel Ali family. It examines how Effendi Kamel Ali's death symbolizes the departure of colonial power, leaving the family, representing Egypt, to grapple with the consequences. Samira, the widow, embodies the strength and resilience of Egypt, forced to navigate the hardships and uncertainties of independence. Hassan, the rebellious son, represents the native Egyptians who resist colonial influence and embrace self-reliance. Hussein's sacrifices epitomize the dedication and heroism of Egyptians who endure hardships for the greater good. Finally, Hassanein's selfish ambition reflects the clash of social classes and the desire to reclaim lost prestige, highlighting the lingering effects of colonial mentality.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Postcolonialism, Egypt, colonialism, identity, social class, family, resilience, colonial mentality, Naguib Mahfouz, "The Beginning and The End."
- Citation du texte
- Carmela Magbanua (Auteur), 2010, An Analysis of "The Beginning and The End" by Naguib Mafouz, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/162591
