Analysis Of Half A Day By Naguib Mahfouz

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Recommended: Individuality and conformity in schools

The story “Half a Day” by Naguib Mahfouz is a mystical tale that cannot be taken literally, but in my opinion has a very powerful message. This story brings up the ideals of conformism in society and also what is the purpose of education? The protagonist of this story does not like the idea of education for the simple reason that he states that the school is a “factory that makes men”. Mahfouz 's use of different elements of tone throughout this story pave the way for a story that is questioning the purpose of education in society. Throughout this story different examples will be brought to light how the purpose of education may not be as important as it preached to children in their everyday lives. Different elements of fiction in this story such …show more content…

I challenged my father openly I shall never do anything to you” (Mahfouz, Half a Day).To this the Narrator’s father responds that the purpose of this school was not to punish his son, but the purpose of the school is to make children into men. The father also asks the narrator doesn’t he want to be like his father and brothers. This is the first time that the idea of education turning children into men throughout the story “Half a Day”. The narrator goes into this walk to school with doubt in his mind stating “I was not convinced. I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from the intimacy of my home and throwing me into this building that stood at the end of the road like some huge, high-walled fortress, exceedingly stern and grim” (Mahfouz, Half a Day). The first immediate impression is that the Narrator doesn’t like the idea of going to school and being changed into a man. An intriguing section of the story reveals how that school could prepare the Narrator and the other individuals in the most unlikely way possible. “As our path revealed itself to us however we did not find it as totally sweet and unclouded as we had presumed.

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