Echoes of a Golden Age: The Representation of Arabian Civilization in Naguib Mahfouz's The Journey of Ibn Fattouma

Abstract

Emphasizing how the book portrays the complexity of Arab identity and culture through an allegorical voyage, this study critically investigates how Arabian civilization is portrayed in Naguib Mahfouz's The Voyage of Ibn Fattouma. The novel centres on Ibn Fattouma. A young man, his path across several fictitious civilizations reflects the historical development of Arabian culture and its changing interactions with modernism, tradition, and outside influences. Using the protagonist's journey, Mahfouz questions the idealization of former civilizations—especially the so-called "golden age" of Arabian culture—while simultaneously exploring the difficulties of modern Arab nations. The study looks at the symbols, metaphors, and cultural allusions Mahfouz used to craft a story challenging the idea of a single Arab identity and the demands it encounters in contemporary society. The study also examines Mahfouz's subdued critique of modern society concerns and historical romanticism. Ibn Fattouma journey reflects the Arab world’s post-colonial struggle to reconcile its past with modernity. This study clarifies the several representations of Arabian civilization in Mahfouz's works and their relevance in modern literary and cultural debate using this examination. Finally, this study provides a thorough analysis of The Journey of Ibn Fattouma as a critical book that reflects the inconsistencies in the portrayal of Arabian civilization and provides a great understanding of the continuous intellectual and cultural discussions inside the Arab world.