the immoral one

10

to stand in his way and must obey him, so long as she is adequately provided for. He could get rid of her, but she looks after him and he wants her as his wife.

Both fly into rages about how “sensible” people behave. She demands he repent before God before it is too late. Kirsha pretends not to understand, which infuriates his wife all the more. He claims hashish is his life and only passion, and he smokes it wherever he wishes. He refuses to be put on trial in his own home. Umm Hussain demands to know who the “shameless youth” is who is causing him to leave his home. Again, Kirsha plays dumb. She specifies “the immoral one”, the only customer he serves personally. Invoking the Prophet’s grandson Hussain, Kirsha calls his wife stupid and raving. She threatens to go public with the scandal tomorrow. He declares he will smash her silly head in, but she says scornfully that hashish has robbed him of the ability. As he slams his way out of the flat, Umm Hussain warns he will see the results of his filthy behavior and calls him a pig. Her heart is overflowing with desire for revenge.

Chapters 6-9 Analysis A major conflict is introduced and Kirsha’s two obsessions begin to illustrate how hashish and homosexuality are viewed in mid-20th-century Egypt. Much more will be said from several angles. At this point, his spoiled, westernized son says simply that men will be men. Umm Hussain declares it sinful and wants revenge. How Muslims view women is characterized and the possibility of divorce initiated by either party is shown. A strange new character is introduced: filthy, sadistic Zaita, who appears to be in league with Booshy. Their connection proves critical later in the story. Rich, middle-aged Alwan is fleshed out: he is a workaholic and sexaholic. Through Alwan, the legality and practicality of polygamy is considered, as is his desire to be called “Bey”. Bey is an Ottoman Turkish title that survives in Egypt as an honorific, a step down from “pasha”.