Parables In Zaabalawi

Those who have read the short story “Zaabalawi” written by Naguib Mahfouz may feel as if it is meant to be read as a parable while some don’t. The objective of a parable is to help readers comprehend philosophical issues or life lessons with an easier way of understanding the message and using it throughout their everyday lives (Wellman, 2014). According to pathos, “a parable is often a significant comparison between two objects that may be used as a mirror image of a comparable object to teach a single concept or teaching” (Wellman, 2014). Parables also have a connection with the Bible, and religious texts in general. Parables have something to do with a higher power and have lessons that could be life changing. There are many examples throughout

This man that he finds himself looking for this very well-known person that many in this town look to when they need his assistance. Parables often find a way to have a connection with God, followed with a strong lesson for the reader to learn at the end regarding faith or spirituality. The young boy found himself severely ill going throughout his town speaking and meeting different people who may have a connection with this man leading the young boy to meet this well-known man that everyone praised, known as Zaabalawi. As he goes from person to person he finds himself getting closer to finding what he’s been looking for this whole time, little does he know he’s going to get what it is he is looking for but not the way he is expecting it to. Here is a great example of an internal conflict, the boy finds himself going crazy looking for something that was never thoroughly explain to him, resulting in him getting what he wanted but being confused and lost when the time came. Those around the town who were known to have wealth or considered upper class or even those Zaabalawi may have once helped were those who knew very little about his whereabouts and where to go look for