European Academic Research ISSN 2286-4822
ISSN-L 2286-4822
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Article Details :
Article Name :
Maat vs. Isfet: A Study of Moral Dichotomy in Naguib Mahfouz’s Evil Adored
Author Name :
Dr. SUJATHA ARAVINDAKSHAN MENON
Publisher :
Bridge Center
Article URL :
Abstract :
The aim of this article is to analyse Naguib Mahfouz’s short story, Evil Adored from an ethical perspective. The story hints at a dichotomy where, human beings often make a choice between the philosophical and spiritual aspects of life on the one hand, and the physical, on the other. The narrative represents these twin aspects of life through the concepts of faith, and fear and chaos. Maat, the goddess of justice personifies faith and all positive aspects of life, whereas Isfet personifies chaos, and a strong sense of fear that arises because of it. Mahfouz hints at the fact that while faith offers scope for a Utopian society, fear is often suggestive of a dystopian set up. The significance of the narrative rests mainly on the way in which these two concepts vie with each other and how one finally manages to establish supremacy over the other in the end. Overall, the short story raises pertinent questions on the very foundations of morals in society. The crux of the story rests on the belief that whatever was created out of Chaos will eventually return to it in due course of time. What is remarkable about the story is that Mahfouz never mentions any god or goddess in particular. His approach to the twin concepts of good and evil is more philosophical and spiritual like that of the stranger in the story.
Keywords :
good, virtue, guardians, evil, Maat, Isfet, chaos, Utopia, dystopia
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