The Thief and the Dogs

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“1952 and 2011: Notable Revolutions in Egyptian History”

In this activity, students will research the differences between the 1952 coup d’etat and the 2011 Arab Uprising in Egypt, create a research product summarizing the comparison, and connect characterization details from the novel.

Mahfouz’s novel, which was published almost 10 years after the 1952 coup d’etat of the Egyptian monarchy, expresses concern for the values of the Egyptian Republic. In 2011, Egyptian society rose up against the government once again, demanding a series of political changes that were largely influential on the rest of the Middle East. In this Activity, research the similarities and differences between the 1952 coup d’etat and the 2011 uprisings in Egypt and summarize your findings in a research product such as a slideshow, series of visual aids, or brief paper. Then, consider the ways in which the characters in the novel represent an evaluation of the Egyptian Republic. Use the following questions to shape your research:

• What was the background and historical context for the 1952 coup d’etat?
• What was the background and historical context for the 2011 uprisings?
• Who were the notable leaders of each of these movements of change?
• What were the main demands for change? Were they “top-down” or “bottom-up” demands?
• What were the results of the movements for change?
• How were these two movements viewed in their relative historical contexts? What about in contemporary society?

Summarize your responses in a research product to display and share. In your notes, a reading journal, or class discussion, address these points: How do Said and other characters represent concern for the values of the Egyptian Republic in the setting of the novel? How might Said, had he survived and lived to 2011, react to the political events of the Arab uprising? Do the themes of Existentialism and Individual Identity, Paranoia as Narcissism, and The Benefits and Limitations of Religious Meaning appear in your and your classmates’ research? If so, how?

Teaching Suggestion: This Activity invites students to explore political leadership, corruption, and social values in Egypt through research. For students who are new to the research process, it may be beneficial to review steps such as initial research, annotated bibliography, thesis statement, outline, drafting, peer review, revision, and abstract.

Differentiation Suggestion: For a research process that also explores postcolonial independence and corruption in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, students might instead select one country in the MENA region to compare to Egypt in terms of postcolonial independence and response to the 2011 Arab uprisings. Based on research, would Said’s concerns about the Egyptian state be applicable in the chosen country? Why or why not?

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Mahfouz wrote his novel during a period of increased Egyptian and Arab nationalist movements.

• In what ways do nationalism and national identity inform the characters’ decisions in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Consider 3 characters whose actions support your topic sentence. Analyze and discuss these 3 characters and their decisions through this lens.
• In your concluding sentences, evaluate with rationale the extent to which nationalism intersects with the novel’s theme of Existentialism and Individual Identity.

2. Consider the role of the media in the novel, especially the newspapers.

• How do the newspapers’ portrayals of Said’s crimes contribute to his delusional state? (topic sentence)
• Identify 3 strong instances in the text that support this idea and analyze the ways in which these examples develop or reveal the intersection between the media and opinion.
• In your concluding sentences, summarize the ways in which the role of the media connects to the novel’s larger theme of Paranoia as Narcissism.

3. At several moments in the novel, Said returns to the Sheikh for solace and safety.

• What is the purpose of including a religious figure like the Sheikh in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Analyze and discuss at least 3 examples from the text to justify your topic sentence. Ultimately, does the inclusion of the Sheikh indicate that this text can or should be considered a religious novel? Why or why not?
• In your concluding sentences, briefly evaluate whether the character of the Sheikh develops or defies the novel’s larger theme of The Benefits and Limitations of Religious Meaning.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Examine Mahfouz’s use of animal imagery to communicate moral implications, real or imagined. Which animals are referenced? Are they referred to with largely positive or negative attributes? How does this animal imagery connect with the title of the novel?

2. Consider Nur and Said’s relationship. How is her character represented? How does her work juxtapose her feelings for Said? In what ways do her feelings connect with his actions, as well as his feelings for her? What does Mahfouz suggest about the role of love and companionship in living a meaningful life?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following characteristics is associated with the type of language the Sheikh uses when he speaks?

A) Atheistic

B) Unclear

C) Poignant

D) Uneducated

2. Which of the following emotions cloud Said’s thinking and well-being throughout the novel?

A) Revenge

B) Grief

C) Harmony

D) Apathy

3. Which phrase best describes the early part of the story for Said?

A) A desperate attempt to reconnect with his former wife

B) A strong desire to kill his daughter and wife

C) A re-acclimatization to life after prison

D) A new journey in the path to absolve his sins

4. Which word best indicates the biggest difference between Rauf and the Sheikh in the novel?

A) Wealth

B) Religion

C) Language

D) Ethnicity

5. To whom does Said compare himself at the time of Ilish’s murderer?

A) God

B) The Devil

C) An angel

D) A demon

6. In Chapter 8, after his dream, Said awakes: “[W]hen he opened his eyes the whole world looked red, empty and meaningless.” Which of the following philosophies does this quote provide evidence of?

A) Existentialism

B) Modernism

C) Absurdism

D) Nationalism

7. Which of the following story elements changes significantly in Chapters 10 and 11 after Said returns to Nur’s residence?

A) The setting

B) The narrative voice

C) The protagonist

D) The chronology

8. How does Said generally feel with regard to the female sex?

A) Deluded

B) Pleased

C) Mistrusting

D) Excited

9. On which setting does Said continually reflect in the novel?

A) The graveyard

B) The Nile river

C) The local cafe

D) The family home

10. Based on Said’s memories, which statement is most likely true about his mother prior to her death?

A) She was able to receive the best medical care in the public state hospital.

B) She was limited in receiving proper care due to poverty.

C) She was strong until the end, having raised Said as a single mother.

D) She was determined to ensure that Said would inherit all of her fortune.

11. Which entity fuels unsafe conditions for Said in the wake of the murder?

A) The neighbors

B) The newspapers

C) The detectives

D) The parliament

12. Which item allows Said to walk freely in the public sphere unnoticed?

A) His false glasses

B) His imam’s outfit

C) His makeshift uniform

D) His prosthetic nose

13. According to the news outlets, how has Rauf treated Said throughout the course of their relationship?

A) With empathy

B) With hatred

C) With pejoration

D) With amusement

14. In which act do Nur and Said engage together frequently throughout the novel?

A) Stealing from neighbors

B) Singing national anthems

C) Dancing traditional dances

D) Drinking alcoholic beverages

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What is the narration style of the novel? How does this narration style connect to the protagonist’s wellbeing and overall character arc?

2. What is the setting of the novel? How does this connect with Mahfouz’s interests as a writer?