Love in the Rain: A Comparative Analysis of Naguib Mahfouz’s Al-Ḥubb Taḥt Al-Maṭar and Syed Abdul Malik’s Aghari Atmar Kahini

Abstract

This study explores the thematic and narrative intricacies of love as depicted in Naguib Mahfouz’s Al-Ḥubb Taḥt Al-Maṭar (Love Under the Rain) and Syed Abdul Malik’s Aghari Atmar Kahini (The Tale of the Nomadic Soul). Both works delve into the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the sociopolitical contexts that shape them. While Mahfouz portrays the lives of individuals entangled in a web of romance, societal expectations, and existential struggles against the backdrop of post-war Egypt, Malik focuses on the strained marital and emotional lives of his characters within a peri-urban Assamese setting.

In Mahfouz’s novel, love is presented as a multifaceted emotion influenced by personal ambition, societal constraints, and the turbulent environment of war. The characters navigate betrayal, passion, and idealism, reflecting the fractured yet hopeful spirit of a nation in transition. Conversely, Malik’s work offers a metaphorical exploration of love and self-discovery, portraying characters trapped in a dysfunctional marriage and haunted by their pasts. The arrival of a charismatic outsider catalyzes a journey of introspection and emotional awakening for the protagonists, emphasizing themes of human connection and liberation.

This comparative analysis highlights how both authors use love as a lens to examine broader existential and social dilemmas. Through richly layered narratives and complex characterizations, Mahfouz and Malik craft stories that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries, offering a universal meditation on love, loss, and identity. This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of how these literary masters depict the transformative power of love amid personal and societal upheavals.