Palace Walk

This section of the novel reflects many shifts in the family dynamics, reflecting myriad versions of The Struggle for Independence that each family member undergoes. For example, after Aisha’s marriage, the family is permitted to make occasional trips to visit her, and with al-Sayyid Ahmad’s permission, Amina is allowed to travel with her family. These suggest a loosening of the rigid rules in the household, though The Toxic Effects of Patriarchal Authority are still prominent in al-Sayyid Ahmad’s demand that any requests be submitted to him before the group leaves the house. Additionally, he works hard to indoctrinate Yamin’s wife, Zaynab, into his restrictive household rules, even going so far as to rebuke his son for treating Zaynab to an evening outing. It is notable that Yamin’s most reprehensible behaviors occur only after his father severely restricts the ways in which he can engage with his wife.

As the family adjusts to the absence of the oldest daughters despite the visits to Aisha’s new household, these trips also serve to confuse Kamal. As the youngest and most naïve member of the family, he resents the disruption of the routine that has been such an important part of his early life. For this reason, he views Aisha’s new home as an affront to the settled lifestyle that he once enjoyed, and his youth prevents him from understanding the reasons for these shifts in the family dynamics. Kamal’s loud criticisms of the disruption of the coffee hour, particularly in Aisha’s new home, are not unique, however. The sentiment is shared by other members of the family, though their manners and etiquette prevent them from vocalizing such resentments. In this way, Kamal functions as the unrepressed voice of criticism in the household. Since he is just a child, he can get away with saying the things which others feel they should keep to themselves. While his older siblings may mock him, they share many of his beliefs.

As the narrative progresses, the characters can no longer ignore the political situation in their country, and The Struggle for Independence takes on a much broader significance with the emergence of the independence movement as a vital force in Egyptian society. Within the novel, this larger shift is demonstrated through the increasing references to Sa’d Zaghul Pasha, the Egyptian leader at the head of the movement. When he is arrested by the British colonial forces and sent into exile, this development has a particularly pronounced effect on Fahmy, who relates to the political situation on a personal level. He has grown up in a household where his own independence has been curtailed, and as a result, the country’s bid for independence mirrors his own personal struggle in that regard. He has also seen firsthand the ways in which exile can be used as a punishment. For this reason, Sa’d Pasha becomes an important focal point for Fahmy’s own struggles. Fahmy comes to see himself in the country of Egypt and craves independence for his country as he craves independence for himself. By extension, his father therefore functions as an allegory for colonial Britain’s determination to unfairly impose its will on the Egyptians. Fahmy attaches himself so quickly to the political movement for Egyptian independence because he subconsciously desires his own independence and senses that a conflict with his father may be inevitable.

In addition to inciting Fahmy’s zeal, the Egyptian independence movement has a profound effect on the lives of the other characters. Kamal may not understand why people are on strike or why the British soldiers shoot at people, but he understands when he does not have to go to school and resents the presence of Umm Hanafi as she escorts him to school. As a result, Kamal experiences the fight for independence on a personal level, much like his older brother. While Fahmy empathizes with the emotional nuances of the movement for independence, Kamal recognizes that the British colonial presence indirectly creates disruptions in his life. As a child, he learns about the independence movement through his own relatively inconsequential personal experiences, even if he cannot comprehend the deeper political meaning of the events around him. Thus, even at this young age, his life is already being shaped by the nation’s drive for independence.