61 pages 2 hours read

Naguib Mahfouz

The Thief and the Dogs

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1961

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Introduction

Teacher Introduction

The Thief and the Dogs 

  • Genre: Fiction; literary
  • Originally Published: 1961 
  • Reading Level/Interest: College/adult 
  • Structure/Length: 18 chapters; approximately 160 pages; approximately 4 hours on audio
  • Protagonist/Central Conflict: Said Mahran, a recently released convict, seeks vengeance against those he believes have betrayed him, including his ex-wife and former mentor. The novel reveals Said’s inner turmoil and disillusionment as he navigates the underbelly of Cairo, struggling with his sense of justice and desire for revenge. 
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Betrayal and revenge; depiction of criminal activities; psychological distress; exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas; murder; gun violence

Naguib Mahfouz, Author 

  • Bio: Born in Cairo in 1911; died in 2006; a leading figure in Egyptian literature and the first Arab writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988; renowned for vivid portrayals of life in Egypt that explore complex themes of tradition, modernity, and the human condition through detailed character studies and rich narratives
  • Other Works: Palace Walk (1956); Palace of Desire (1957); Sugar Street (1957); Children of Gebelawi (1959) 

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

  • Existentialism and Individual Identity
  • Paranoia as Narcissism
  • The Benefits and Limitations of Religious Meaning

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

  • Develop an understanding of the historical and literary contexts related to postcolonial and existential Arab literature in the mid-20th century in order to compare Mahfouz’s framing of Said’s actions and preoccupation with justice.

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