A Million Possibilities

In his novel, Palace Walk, Naguib Mahfouz writes in a descriptive but un-revealing manner, which leaves things up for numerous, strange, interpretations. Of course, if the reader is following the book, it isn't very hard to interpret. If the reader sets the novel down and later continues reading from where he left off, he might be a little disoriented by what he is reading. Even though this appears to take away from the novel's meaning, the reader can enjoy this experience and actually grasp the author's point.

One such passage where the reader can step into a world not related to the book's meaning is in chapter ten when Mahfouz writes,

Fahmy watched her appear and disappear until no clothes were left to separate them. She faced him, her small hands rising and falling, her fingers slowly and deliberately grasping and releasing what she held, as though she was dragging out her work on purpose. His heart guessed it was on purpose, although he was torn between doubt and hope. He did not fight his feeling of being liberated to the farthest horizons by his happiness. He was conscious of nothing but dancing melodies. Although she did not glance up at him, her demeanor, the blush on her cheeks, and her avoidance of looking at him all betrayed how intensely conscious she was of his presence, or the impact he had made on her feelings. (59)

What he is describing is Maryam doing laundry. But for the reader that set down the novel, went grocery shopping, and then once again engaged in reading, this could mean a ton of things.
The first thought that comes to mind is that Maryam is doing magic. With her disappearance and reappearance, she reminds the reader of a Harry Houdini, and with the grasping and releasing of objects, she reminds the reader of Carrot Top. And even though it is far fetched because of his age, Fahmy could really be enjoying this magic show. Another thought that can go through the reader's mind is that Maryam was in the fitting room trying on dresses. This is less of the possibility especially once the time period and location are taken into account. But when the reader is discombobulated, anything can happen. And even though the list goes on and on, the most obvious one is sexual intercourse (I won't go into details).

This possibility makes the most sense and it is so plausible, that it can be the hidden message. The statement previous to this passage says, “No fear is able to spoil love's development or keep it from dreaming of its appointed hour.” (59) This says that love has no barriers and no matter what is in the way, love, especially young love, will always prevail. How can you jump from love, or making love, to doing the laundry? Mahfouz, intentionally included this sexual allusion to keep the reader on his toes and ready for what lies ahead.

This goes to show that not just this passage but every other in this novel, and in every other novel, can have a double meaning, you just have to be distracted enough to catch it.