The Thief and the Dogs

The Thief and the Dogs 

• Genre: Fiction; literary
• Originally Published: 1961 
• Reading Level/Interest: College/adult 
• Structure/Length: 18 chapters; approximately 160 pages; approximately 4 hours on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Said Mahran, a recently released convict, seeks vengeance against those he believes have betrayed him, including his ex-wife and former mentor. The novel reveals Said’s inner turmoil and disillusionment as he navigates the underbelly of Cairo, struggling with his sense of justice and desire for revenge. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Betrayal and revenge; depiction of criminal activities; psychological distress; exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas; murder; gun violence

Naguib Mahfouz, Author 

• Bio: Born in Cairo in 1911; died in 2006; a leading figure in Egyptian literature and the first Arab writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988; renowned for vivid portrayals of life in Egypt that explore complex themes of tradition, modernity, and the human condition through detailed character studies and rich narratives
• Other Works: Palace Walk (1956); Palace of Desire (1957); Sugar Street (1957); Children of Gebelawi (1959) 

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Existentialism and Individual Identity
• Paranoia as Narcissism
• The Benefits and Limitations of Religious Meaning

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the historical and literary contexts related to postcolonial and existential Arab literature in the mid-20th century in order to compare Mahfouz’s framing of Said’s actions and preoccupation with justice.