The Thief and the Dogs
Encyclopedia
The Thief and the Dogs is one of the Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz
's most celebrated works. He further developed his theme of existentialism
using stream-of-consciousness and surrealist techniques Egypt
—as Said is not only a thief, but a kind of revolutionary anarchist.
. It helped, therefore, to confirm Mahfouz's stature as a pioneer in the field of literature.
and a television series in Egypt. The film was first released in 1962, only one year after the novel was first published. The film starred Shoukry Sarhan
(Said), Kamal el-Shennawi
, and Shadia
(Nur). The television series was released in 1975, and lasted only one season (13 episodes). Although it was an Egyptian series, it was produced by a Dubai
-based television station.
Naguib Mahfouz
Naguib Mahfouz was an Egyptian writer who won the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature. He is regarded as one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature, along with Tawfiq el-Hakim, to explore themes of existentialism. He published over 50 novels, over 350 short stories, dozens of movie...
's most celebrated works. He further developed his theme of existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
using stream-of-consciousness and surrealist techniques Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
—as Said is not only a thief, but a kind of revolutionary anarchist.
Plot summary
Said's world revolves around Nabawiyya, his former wife, and Sana', his daughter. Once in love with the former, she has now betrayed him by marrying his friend 'Ilish. Central to the making of Said Mahran is also Ra'uf 'Ilwan, his one-time criminal mentor, who used the same revolutionist rhetoric, but now, being a respected journalist and businessman, is in seeming opposition to Said, whose outlook hasn't changed. These perceived betrayals throw the protagonist into the utmost confusion and his initial calculation in revenge becomes ever more a wild flailing against the whole world. Only Nur, a prostitute, and Tarzan, a café-owner, provide Said with any respite from his anger and the world at large which is closing in on him, yet in time even they cannot help him.Characters in "The Thief and the Dogs"
- Said Mahran – a thief
- Rauf Ilwan – Mahran's erstwhile mentor
- Nabawiyya – Mahran's former wife currently married to Illish
- Sana – Mahran's daughter
- Ilish – Mahran's friend until he betrays Said
- Nur – a prostitute who loves Said
- Tarzan – a café-owner
- The Sheikh - Mahran's religious and spiritual leader
Major themes
Heavily dependent on imagery, the thief, Said, will by necessity as a tragic hero be chased down by the dogs. The recurring images of prison, betrayal and darkness amongst others also permeate the text. The novel is remarkable because it is the first novel to employ the stream of consciousness style of writing in ArabicArabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
. It helped, therefore, to confirm Mahfouz's stature as a pioneer in the field of literature.
Adaptations
The novel was adapted into a filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and a television series in Egypt. The film was first released in 1962, only one year after the novel was first published. The film starred Shoukry Sarhan
Shoukry Sarhan
Mohammad Shoukry Al Husseini Sarhan , better known as Shoukry Sarhan was an Egyptian actor. He is regarded as on of the greatest Arab actors of all time.- Life and career :...
(Said), Kamal el-Shennawi
Kamal el-Shennawi
Mohammed Kamal el-Shennawi was an Egyptian film and television actor, director and producer. Maternal uncle of Egyptian American actor Haythem Noor and Amr Youssri.- Filmography :...
, and Shadia
Shadia
Fatima Ahmad Kamal , better known by her stage name Shadia , is an Egyptian actress and singer. Now retired, she is famous for her roles in light comedies and drama in the 1950s and 1960s...
(Nur). The television series was released in 1975, and lasted only one season (13 episodes). Although it was an Egyptian series, it was produced by a Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
-based television station.