Naguib Mahfouz’s Palace Walk allows us, as readers, to delve into the minds of each and every character rather than only providing us with the opinions of one. By writing the novel in third person, Mahfouz is able to give us snippets of how each character feels and the way they view a certain situation or conflict that is presented in the novel. This allows us to see the effects that it has on each of the characters and how this, in turn, defines them as a person. The novel becomes the way they see it rather than the way one character sees it. This is what makes every character in the novel essential: the fact that they all have a say, even if they are not allowed to speak it aloud.
At the beginning of the novel, we are given a look into Amina’s daily routine. She appears to be a submissive wife whose views are suppressed, and as we are Westerners, we would assume that she is unhappy. We also assume that her husband, al-Sayyid Ahmad, is the leading cause of Amina’s unhappiness. However, when Mahfouz allows us the pleasure of viewing Amina’s thoughts on the matter, we see that Amina is very happy and feels very fortunate to have Ahmad as a husband. We also come to realize how much of an impact Ahmad has on his children. In this case, it is the women who hold him in high esteem.
The mother and her two girls went at once to the balcony. They stood at the window overlooking al-Nahhasin street to observe through the holes of its wodden grille the men of the family on the street. The father could be seen moving in a slow and dignified fashion. He projected an aura of grandeur and good looks, raising his hands in greeting from time to time. Uncle Hasanayn, the barber, Hajj Darwish, who sold beans, al-Fuli, the milkman, and al-Bayumi, the drinks vendor, all rose to greet him. The women watched him with eyes filled with love and pride... This moment was one of the happiest of the mother’s day (23).
In this passage, it is obvious that the women are proud to have such a well respected head of the house. His rough demeanor must be attributed to his willingness to gain respect in the household and amongst his peers. That does not mean, however that he is an uncaring man.
Although his family both fears and respects him, we are able to see a side of Ahmad that his family never sees because he keeps up a façade at home, but when in public, for some reason he is able to be himself.
The truth was that he was dreaded and feared only in his own family. With everyone else—friends, acquaintances, and customers—he was a different person. He received his share of respect and esteem but above all else was loved. He was loved for the charm of his personality more than for any of his many other fine characteristics. His acquaintances did not know what he was like at home. The members of his family did not know him as others did (36).
Because Mahfouz gives us the different perspectives of each character, we are able to see a character for who they really are. Our initial, hateful thoughts toward Ahmad can now be replaced with a sense of understanding. He has to be harsh at home in order to gain respect within the family. Getting his family to respect his is all he’s ever known; it was the way he was raised. This does not mean that he is incapable of loving them, he just happens to show it in a different way.
Seeing the way each character views a situation enlightens a reader. We are able to see the truth instead of just getting one character’s view. If Mahfouz had not written the novel in third person, we would never know who Ahmad was outside of the house. We would only see the way Amina and the children viewed him. By writing the novel in third person, we are able to sympathize with and understand Ahmad better. It is a way for him to get his say.
Work Cited
Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk. Toronto: First American Edition, 1991. Print.
