The Karnak Café by Naguib Mahfouz, Essay Example

About the Author

 Noted for his capability to capture the reality of history through written prose, Naguib Mahfouz was awarded a Noble Prize for Literature in 1988. He was the first Egyptian writer who was able to win the said award. Publishing at least 34 novel and at least 350 short stories, Mahfouz was considered a great Egyptian writer who placed his nation’s name in the list of the most notable individuals in the world. Because of his good writing, several numbers of his works have been made into movies and most of them were received and appreciated very well by the public. He died in Cairo on August 30, 2006 because of a traumatic accident that made a deep blow into his head.

Although the writer already died, most of his works are still being studied by educators and scholars, trying to decipher his way of thinking and the manner by which he tries to present reality in a different aspect of the picture. What Mahfouz mostly used when he writes his works is that of the relative metaphorical use of characters to represent the overall being of the society. Being an Egyptian, he became a witness to the different issues and situations that the nation had to deal with especially in connection with the 1967 war in the country. In his book The Karnak Café, he tries his best to capture the essence of the social situation then and put it in a written narrative that would capture not only the attention of the people but would also provide an understanding among the readers with regards the emotional and psychological impact that the war has left upon the thinking, behavior and the overall being of the Egyptians.

About the Book

 The Karnak Café was first published in 1974 under the Arabic language. Back then, the message of Mahfouz could only be read by his fellow Egyptians. However, because of the deep and specifically important historical value of the reading, it was then translated and released in English during the year 2007. What constitutes the historical value of the book? It was observed by most of its Egyptian critics that the real value behind the writing of Mahfouz lay strong within the being of his characters. His thoughts and messages that were presented to the public through the characters he used in the story were strong and practical in presenting the reality behind what really happened in Egypt and its people during the war years.

This is the primary reason why even after the death of Mahfouz, his work continues to gain popularity especially among historians, educators as well as psychologists. Defining the worth of his work based on a historical approach specifically creates a notion that it is more of a revolutionary writing than a literary art. Relatively, the value that it has in relation to the assessment of the Egyptian history would basically lay on what the readers know and how much they understand about the past the enveloped Egypt in the late 1960’s.

Historical Implications of the Novel

 The 1960s presented a rather chaotic situation in Egypt. With high political tension occurring between disagreeing parties, it could be understood that the people were torn as they are forced to take sides. The war was a terrible situation that the people had to endure with. Civilian unrest was a common thing to happen in the country and the people tried their best to adjust with the occurrence of the said situation. Nevertheless, the Karnak Café, as presented in the story of Mahfouz, was more than just a place to stay in. Instead, it served as a safe place, an area where the people could still live the way they want to, to speak about anything under the sun and not be reprimanded by the authorities about it.

Relatively, it served as an escape for the people who seemingly wanted to forget about what is happening to their nation. Notably, Mahfouz establishes this idea through considering young members of the customers that usually go to the Café to spend some time there. All were happy and everyone was satisfied with the service and the ambiance that the Café provides. Owned by Qurunfula [Egypt’s epitome of hope and beauty], this café was a haven for everyone else. The regulars of the café were described by Mahfouz as somewhat carefree and specifically spirited.

However, at the turn of events, these regulars began to stop coming to the café’. The once joyful ambiance of the place was lost and the taste of the Café itself began to change. Upon return of the regulars, the situation was never the same. The people became more attentive to what they talk about [trying to stay clear of any politically-related issues and discussions]. The once spirited and carefree outlook of the young people has been changed into a tensed atmosphere that governed the whole place.

Relatively, this part of the story strongly implicates how the people of Egypt used to be carefree and specifically dependent on their dreams. They were highly spirited hoping to embrace relative implications of progress that they hope would embrace their society soon. However, because of the entrant of the war during the 1960s, it was obvious how the Egyptian society changed especially in relation to their outlook in life and the way they talk their ideas out. Politics was a certain topic that everyone stayed clear of. Only a few were bold enough to speak their minds and share a piece of their thoughts about the social issues that they are concerned about. Because of the fear of torture, the Egyptians were bounded to limit themselves into things that they thought would keep them away from trouble. Considering that Mahfouz utilized the term ‘never the same’ imposes that he never thought that the past of Egypt which was joyful and prosperous would still be restored due to the conflicts and disagreements that are happening in the field of politics. The social factions formed because of these conflicts would continue to push Egypt into the edge of trusting no one and becoming united with each other for a better and more progressive community.

Critical Analysis of Literary Value

 The use of metaphor and descriptive elements in presenting the situation suffered by the Egyptian society during the war years makes this reading specifically exceptional. Trying to capture the attention of his readers through utilizing a prose-narrative assumes the value of this literary piece that is dependent on utilizing the capacity of the readers to read between the lines and realize the messages behind all the actual forms of descriptions used by the author. What makes this reading worthwhile is the fact that it serves as a mirror to the past of Egypt through the eyes of the young generation. This setup makes it more relatable even on the part of the young generation who may have not experienced the war years and even among the individuals who may not have known about this part of Egypt’s history. The words used were clear and they convey the right assumptions of emotions they needed to impose on the readers.

Relatively, Mahfouz’s focus on the story was strong enough to create a novel-like approach to defining one of the most important marks of Egyptian history. The consideration over the need to utilize metaphor even makes the said piece a source of reader-satisfaction as they intend to see more than what is stipulated and described within the story as it is. Overall, the author’s description of the situation of the war years and how the people responded to it gives a clear distinction on how the past amalgamates with the future hence creating a new sense of understanding what the Egyptian history is made of and what its people should learn from its past.

Conclusion

 Overall, the reading on the Karnak Café provides a clear distinction on how Mahfouz realized that the 1967 Arab-Israeli war was both a defeat and victory for his government and his people. The government was clear in establishing a better sense of control while the people lost their freedom in being able to think and talk freely about their thoughts. Relatively, both outcomes is believed to have an impact to whatever future is awaiting Egypt. Ismail and Zaynab’s relationship also served as a metaphor to the connection between the government and the society as they are unified by the laws and the policies of the nation, and yet are kept apart by the same aspects of ruling. All these elements of writing and historical worth makes this written piece by Mahfouz a valuable piece of literature that serves its aim of entertaining the readers and also informing them of what happened back then in Egypt and how it is supposed to affect the future of the country at present.

True, the need to look back in one’s history is an important aspect of preparing for a brighter future. The era of the 1960s was not that easy to forget especially for those Egyptians who experienced the war and the generation that followed through who specifically experienced the results of such conflicts. No, these aspects of history should not be treated as mere memories, but should be considered as stepping-stones from where one would be able to learn valuable lessons that would equip the nation with proper understanding of what should happen in the future.

Reference:

Mahfouz, N. (2008). Karnak Café. Anchor Publishing.