Naguib Mahfouz, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, revolutionized the world of Arabic fiction. Neither the novel nor the short story were common forms of expression until Mahfouz's works became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. His writing is unique, both in Arab culture and in the broader world of fiction, in that it often has no definable protagonist and reads as a series of short stories that come together to form the work as a whole. Midaq Alley, translated into English for a 1966 release date, is a phenomenal example of these writing styles; each character has equal importance, and the reader is introduced to them gradually, in soap opera fashion, through myriad perspectives on their individual lives, dialogue, and interactions. Midaq Alley, an alley hidden among the busy streets of Cairo, functions as a microcosm of Egyptian society. In much the same way that some soap opera actors get more screen time than their colleagues, so Mahfouz chooses which characters to write more frequently with deep intent. Due to their short vignettes, the "secondary" characters are created very purposefully through the use of tight diction and varied syntax. A prime example of this is Zaita, resident of the alley, who Mahfouz reveals sporadically and impulsively. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayZaita is one of the most intriguing members of the alley, as it is incredibly difficult to discern his purpose in the alley at first, or even at second glance. It is only through careful observation and analysis that its role is revealed. Naguib Mahfouz, in his novel Midaq Alley, describes the character of Zaita as a representation of “Id”. The “Id” is a concept coined by Sigmund Freud (The Encyclopedia Britannica). The psychoanalytic theory behind the id states that the human psyche can be divided into three distinct parts, where the id is the section responsible for people's most primitive and instinctive actions, and is often repressed in favor of the ego and the super. -I (the two most “civilized” aspects of the human psyche). Naguib Mahfouz explores this theory through his character Zaita, and uses this expression of the primordial and intuitive to subtly critique the general perception of what civilization is and should be, while simultaneously demonstrating the vitality of the id as a human characteristic and as a component of society as a whole. In most progressive civilizations there is an unexpressed repression of the original. Modern civilization is built on the concept of retreating from instinctive and selfish behaviors; Midaq Alley comments on the importance of civilization and the individuals that make up a society. Mahfouz creates the character of Zaita as a masterful personification of this animalistic element of society. Zaita makes his first appearance seven chapters into the novel, when Mahfouz writes; “On the floor, almost directly under the little window, something is piled up, no different from the floor of the room in color, dirt and smell, but endowed with limbs, flesh and blood, and which therefore, despite everything, deserves to be called a human being.” By using sensory imagery, appealing to the olfactory and visual senses, Mahfouz creates a sense of revulsion in the reader. He directly addresses his need with the final sentence: his diction with words like “deserves” and “despite” shows the message that, although the Id is abominable in every sense, it is still a crucial aspect of humanity. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes the id as “the psychic realm containing contents related to the body's primitive instincts, especially sex and aggression.” Mahfouz chooses to show very little ofZaita, his limited appearances reflect the reluctance of the society of the alley to confront this part of themselves. In his few passages, however, Zaita is described as reeking of lust, selfishness and unpredictability. For example, in a conversation with Husniya, the owner of the house where Zaita resides, she says: "How can you expect a bastard to guard against those sins [casual sexual intercourse] of his unknown father?" Here Mahfouz's message is clear: Zaita lives on impulse, seeking pleasure as his ancestors did before him, unabashedly following the course that nature has charted for him. Husniya then threatens to break his neck, to which Zaita responds: “Maybe that would be delicious too.” The id is concerned with the beauty of violence, finding pleasure in the most abominable acts. Following this exchange, a “fit of violent passion” grips Zaita, and he is said to take off his dirty clothes to seduce Husniya. Mahfouz writes: “He felt he had what he wanted and that Husniya would do what he wanted.” This impulsive behavior characterizes Zaita, showing an animalistic side to humanity that few are willing to acknowledge. Although Husniya had been more than happy to go along with Zaita's flirtation up to that point ("her pleasure and the way she listened delighted him"), when all niceties are removed and his true intentions are revealed, she is disgusted and throws a cup at Zaita, injuring him. Mahfouz wishes to demonstrate to the reader the allure of the id and the simultaneous rejection of its desires by human society. One of the most intriguing aspects of Zaita's character is his attitude towards his surroundings. Mahfouz writes: “It had almost nothing to do with the alley where he lived. He didn't need anyone, nor anyone of him." This line in itself is fascinating because it demonstrates Zaita's detachment: he physically exists in the alley, but dwells in his own reality; does not contribute to the community, but still reaps the benefits of their civilization. The following line, however, is extremely indicative of its function: “Except, that is, for fathers who resorted to scaring their children with its image.” In the same way that parents warn against pursuing pleasures exclusively (giving in to the id), so alley parents use Zaita's example to dissuade their children from a life like hers. Despite the revolting picture Mahfouz paints of Zaita's lifestyle, there is a certain charm in his face. Of all the characters in the alley, Zaita is the only one to achieve a true form of happiness. Other characters, like Hamida and Kirsha, have high expectations and extravagant lifestyles that ultimately lead to their downfall. Zaita's life, although used as a warning and condemned by those who believe themselves superior to him, is the most fulfilled. Mahfouz uses Zaita to occasionally present the audience with a digression, such as the line in which he says, “Who among us is not initially welcomed into the world as a kind of genus, only to be carried wherever misfortune decrees? This is one of nature's wisest betrayals. If he were to show us first what is in store for us, we would all refuse to leave the womb.” These brief but touching remarks show the importance that Mahfouz places on the id: the deep sense of respect he has for human nature, despite all its repugnant and disgusting qualities. Zaita is ignored by the rest of society, yet he has wisdom to offer. The Id is repressed at every turn imaginable, as Zaita is shunned by the people of the alleys. Zaita's final quality that solidifies his purpose as an id in the alley is the alternate reality he lives in. The id is completely unaware of the external world and the passage of time; he lives only for the moment and the impulse. The perspective of.