1. Background: on the Tale and Allegory The central allegorical implications of this tale are a commentary on the human condition; an entire life span is experienced as only ''half a day'' in the school of life. The story also alludes to the cycle of life, whereby the narrator passes through childhood, middle age and old age in the course of one day. The central allegorical implications of this tale are a commentary on the human condition; an entire life span is experienced as only ''half a day'' in the school of life. The story also alludes to the cycle of life, whereby the narrator passes through childhood, middle age and old age in the course of one day.

2. Background: on the Tale and Allegory It was written toward the end of his long and successful writing career, which spanned much of the twentieth century. In his fiction, both novels and short stories, Mahfouz chronicled the significant political, social, and cultural changes Egypt had experienced during his lifetime, such as the rebellion against the British colonizers and the loosening of restrictions on women. It was written toward the end of his long and successful writing career, which spanned much of the twentieth century. In his fiction, both novels and short stories, Mahfouz chronicled the significant political, social, and cultural changes Egypt had experienced during his lifetime, such as the rebellion against the British colonizers and the loosening of restrictions on women.

3. Background: on the Tale and Allegory ''Half a Day'' can only be fully understood if interpreted as an allegorical tale, in which each element is symbolic of some greater meaning. The central allegorical motif of "Half a Day'' is that a morning spent in school is symbolic of an entire lifetime spent in the school of life. ''Half a Day'' can only be fully understood if interpreted as an allegorical tale, in which each element is symbolic of some greater meaning. The central allegorical motif of "Half a Day'' is that a morning spent in school is symbolic of an entire lifetime spent in the school of life.

4. Background: on the Tale and Allegory Everything that occurs in the story represents common experiences of the human condition: birth, childhood, old age, death, the afterlife, religion, love, friendship, pain, fear, joy, learning, memory, and nostalgia, as well as the cycle of life from generation to generation.... Everything that occurs in the story represents common experiences of the human condition: birth, childhood, old age, death, the afterlife, religion, love, friendship, pain, fear, joy, learning, memory, and nostalgia, as well as the cycle of life from generation to generation....

5. Background: on the Tale and Allegory An allegory is a story with events and characters not meant to be interpreted at a literal level but at a symbolic one. An allegory is a story with events and characters not meant to be interpreted at a literal level but at a symbolic one. "Half a Day ’’ is an allegory for life and the human condition. The story is clearly not meant to be interpreted literally, since the use of time in the narrative is completely unrealistic. "Half a Day ’’ is an allegory for life and the human condition. The story is clearly not meant to be interpreted literally, since the use of time in the narrative is completely unrealistic.

6. Words, Phrases and Sentence Making clutch clutch cling to cling to convince convince give rise to give rise to hesitate hesitate resort to resort to revolve revolve sort (v.) sort (v.)

7. Words, Phrases and Sentence Making stretch stretch unclouded unclouded in vain in vain border (v.) border (v.) take over take over show off show off let up let up rivalry rivalry

8. Sentences and Paraphrasing I walked alongside my father, clutching his hand. (Why not “ holding ” ?) I walked alongside my father, clutching his hand. (Why not “ holding ” ?) They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day I was to be thrown into school for the first time. (What does that imply?) They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day I was to be thrown into school for the first time. (What does that imply?) “ Why school? ” I asked my father. “ What have I done? ” (Why does the author ask that?) “ Why school? ” I asked my father. “ What have I done? ” (Why does the author ask that?)

9. Sentences and Paraphrasing I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from my I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from my (pulling apart by force) (pulling apart by force) home and throwing me into the huge, high-walled building. (What does that remind you of?) home and throwing me into the huge, high-walled building. (What does that remind you of?)

10. Sentences and Paraphrasing Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. (worry, doubt or fear; unnecessary, no reason) Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. (worry, doubt or fear; unnecessary, no reason) Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. (carefree) Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. (carefree) It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. (behaving in a silly way) It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. (behaving in a silly way)

11. Sentences and Paraphrasing Rivalries could bring about pain and Rivalries could bring about pain and (competition) (cause) (competition) (cause) hatred or give rise to fighting. hatred or give rise to fighting. (cause) (cause) Even more frequently she would resort to physical punishment. (turn to … for help) Even more frequently she would resort to physical punishment. (turn to … for help)

12. Sentences and Paraphrasing Those who were able took advantage of the opportunities for success and happiness that presented themselves. (appear) Those who were able took advantage of the opportunities for success and happiness that presented themselves. (appear) My head spun. (unable to think or feel clearly by a blow) My head spun. (unable to think or feel clearly by a blow)

13. Discussion Questions Does school improve or weaken/estrange the relationship between you and your family? Does school improve or weaken/estrange the relationship between you and your family? Try recalling you first time stepping towards school. Try recalling you first time stepping towards school. What is the symbolized implication of this text? What is the symbolized implication of this text?