Transformative Intellectual Journeys: Confronting Colonial Logic in Children of the Alley

Abstract

Naguib Mahfouz’s Children of the Alley (1959) has been extensively studied, often as a critique of religion. However, this analysis argues that its enduring relevance lies in its exploration of power, oppression, and intellectual resistance—issues that remain urgent in contemporary discourse. Rather than reinforcing colonial binaries of self/other, Mahfouz exposes how such divisions sustain hierarchies of gender, race, and class. This study offers a fresh perspective by examining Gabal as a prototypical organic intellectual (as defined by Antonio Gramsci) who challenges these structures. By applying postcolonial theory, particularly Gramsci’s concept of organic intellectuals and Edward Said’s analysis of power, this research uncovers overlooked tensions within resistance movements, including class and gender conflicts. Ultimately, the study advances debates on intellectual resistance by arguing that solidarity with all marginalized groups—not just one’s own—can serve as the foundation for radical intellectual engagement.