Al-Sayyid Ahmad

As the central figure in Palace Walk, al-Sayyid Ahmad has a domineering effect on the <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Literary Device" href="https://www.supersummary.com/narrative/">narrative</a> and on his family. He is a cruelly authoritarian figure who demands that everyone who lives under his roof must adhere to his strict rules. As a result, nearly all of the events in the novel are either directly or indirectly influenced by his family’s attempts to either adhere to or circumvent <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Themes" href="https://www.supersummary.com/palace-walk/themes/#556413">The Toxic Effects of Patriarchal Authority</a> that he wields. Whether Amina disobeys him by sneaking out of the house or Yasin embarrasses him by repeatedly causing scandals, al-Sayyid Ahmad is surrounded on all sides by people who deeply desire greater freedom from his tyranny. Each member of the family is keenly aware of al-Sayyid Ahmad’s need for respect and obedience. They may not always provide this obedience, but they always offer their respect. Even on the rare occasions when they disobey or disappoint the family patriarch, they live in constant fear of his reaction and potential punishment. The pattern of the story is therefore predicated on how closely the family members can adhere to his demands, and he dictates the course of their lives through sheer force of will.

Amina

Yasin

Fahmy

Literary Area of Study

African Literature

Gender

Books that Feature the Theme of Femininity

Values & Ideas

Challenging Authority

Historic & Literary Period

Colonialism & Postcolonialism

Relationships

Family

Fathers

Marriage

Society

Nation & Nationalism

Awards

Nobel Laureates in Literature

Power

Naguib Mahfouz

Adult

Novel

The Cairo Trilogy

Fiction

Guide

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About Palace Walk

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Palace Walk Summary

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Chapters 1-14

Palace Walk Chapters 1-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-28

Palace Walk Chapters 15-28 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 29-42

Palace Walk Chapters 29-42 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 43-56

Palace Walk Chapters 43-56 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 57-71

Palace Walk Chapters 57-71 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Palace Walk Character Analysis

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Palace Walk Symbols & Motifs

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