he local café owners
19
Chapters 19-22 Chapters 19-22 Summary One morning, Midaq Alley awakens to find a pavilion being set up on adjacent Sanadiqiya Street. Kamil suspects it is for a funeral, but it is instead for a political rally. Kamil knows nothing about politics beyond a few names. Loudspeakers are hung on street corners and the stage is decorated with pictures of Prime Minister Mustafa al- Nahas and the local Wafd candidate: Ibrahim Farhat, a merchant on Nahasin Street. Calm returns as construction ends and lasts until late afternoon when short, husky, round-faced Farhat arrives with a retinue. His walk betrays self-confidence and his eyes “honest simplicity”. Everyone expects to benefit from his bounty. He makes his way from door to door, greeting people. People stream into Kirsha’s Café and the candidate orders a round of tea for all.
Farhat notices that Kirsha is aloof, having earlier declined an offer of £15 for his support, since another café owner has received £20. Farhat cannot afford to number among the “politicos” that Kirsha despises. Kirsha comes alive during campaigns, having in his youth taken part in the Rebellion of 1919 and vandalism and warring against Armenians and Jews. In 1924-25, he accepts bribes from the government candidate while supporting the Wafd Party, and in 1936 is prevented from supporting it. Thereafter, Kirsha supports whoever pays best, arguing that poor voters deserve to share all the money being spread around. The revolutionary spirit is gone, as is the respectable life, as Kirsha cares only about pleasures of the flesh. He hates no one, including the British. In the present war, he once sides with the Germans and admires Hitler’s cruelty and barbarity. The Führer is a hero like the mythical Antar and Abu Zaid.
As the leader of the local café owners, Kirsha has political influence and Farhat cultivates his friendship. Kirsha piously hopes not to be disappointed and promises to deliver the votes. Farhat proclaims himself an independent, adhering to the principles of Saad Zaghlul, but finds party spirit disruptive, and he intends in Parliament to promote the people’s practical needs. If he wins, people will see “miracle after miracle”. When Farhat asks to see people’s voting cards, Kamil refuses, saying he has never voted and does not know his birthplace. Farhat joins in the general laughter. When a boy enters carrying a pile of posters, all assume they are for the election, but they advertise a government-approved aphrodisiac. Farhat moves on to the next establishment. When Farhat asks Darwish for his blessing, the sheik intones, “May the devil take you!”
The pavilion fills before sunset, for it is rumored that not only will politicians speak incomprehensibly, but Qur’an reciters and comedians will also appear. A monologue reciter in village costume and a half-naked woman dancer follow. Hamida returns from her customary walk and is overcome by it all. Suddenly, she feels a compulsion to look over her shoulder, and her eyes meet an intense, insolent stare, which breaks her attention. The odd smile infuriates her and she wants to dig her fingernails into the owner’s neck. The man, tall, lean, broad-shouldered, and bareheaded, with almond-
