Fountain and Tomb

"Prepare for a long life of learning. You shall learn step-by-step until you become a civilized human being." (25) So the Father in this story admonishes his son and as the tales are woven we begin to see a portrait of Egyptian life in intimate detail during a trying a turbulent time. The author is speaking to the Egyptian, seeking to revive memories of the 'old ways' in a way to help them learn to be a civilized human being. Cairo in the early 20th century was experiencing a large influx of Western influence from the British Empire. Within the story, the child represents the greater Egyptian nation and its desire to grow and learn and take its place among the 'civilized' world.

Naguib Mahfouz's Fountain and Tomb takes place centered around the town Takiya. The Takiya is a monastery for a Muslim order of Sufis. For a Westerner, the best way to understand a Takiya is to think of the Monasteries of the Middle Ages. The Takiya is revered as is the monastery. It is a school for children, as was the monastery. It housed a monastic order, as did the monastery. The grounds were often manicured with beautiful gardens since the Takiya was the central refuge within the community just as the monastery proved to be. The fountain is at the Takiya.

The Takiya fountain and mulberry trees are representative of knowledge and the children's desire to eat the berries is representative of the human desire and quest for knowledge and lore. "The world is large, but only a pinhole aft

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Category: Literature - F