The Power of Manipulation In Naguib Mahfouz’s Arabian Nights & Days he addresses the dark shadow of one’s self. In the novel, Mahfouz uses the influence of evil genies to show that a man can be manipulated into corruption. He expresses this through multiple characters that all have the same influence and the same outcome. The result is an exploration of the dark side of identity focusing on the corrupt nature of all mankind. This is shown through characters such as Sanaan al- Gamali, Gamasa al- Bulti and Fadil Sanaan.
Sanaan al- Gamali’s will is manipulated into corruption by the power of an evil genie names QumQam. The genie told al-Gamali that he must kill Ali al- Salouli, who is the governor of the quarter, or be killed himself. Al-Gamali agrees out of fear not knowing what he is getting himself into. By agreeing to commit such a crime he reveals his dark side in which cannot be handled. “He went deeper and deeper into a state that became difficult to control” (Mahfouz 17). The mind state that he remains in is almost unrecognizable because it is the opposite of what Sanaan’s usual persona is. “His nature deteriorated as though he were being created anew in a form that was at variance with his old deep-rooted gentleness” (Mahfouz 15). Mahfouz uses the work “anew” to express the extent of the change in Sanaan’s life and “his old deep rooted gentleness” to explain his transformation from his normal self. The new Sanaan is portrayed as the dark and evil side and to what extent his mind produces evil thoughts. “He felt desire to destroy everything that existed. Unable to control himself he pierced her with a glance filled with hatred and resentment, as though it were she who was responsible for his plight.” (Mahfouz 15) Sanaan then rapes and killed a 10 year-old girl which clearly shows that Sanaan is at his low point and to what extent manipulation of evil corrupts a man. It all started with killing the governor which didn’t end there it only led to more horrific acts.
Once Mahfouz expresses the dark side of al-Gamali, he then began to question who was responsible for the actions. “Was it the genie? Was it the dope he swallowed? Or was it Sanaan al-Gamali?” (Mahfouz 19). The genie stated that it was only al-Gamali’s fault and said the actions were performed due to one’s own decisions and which he shall be held responsible. “Instead of attaining the visible target, your whole structure collapsed and you commit this repugnant crime” (Mahfouz 23). This shows that the presence of evil has a reasoning also showing his belief that a man can be manipulated without direct reason of corruption.
The length to which a man can be manipulated by evil is also strongly shown by the quick downfall of Fadil Sanaan. Throughout a good chunk of the novel Fadil is portrayed as a normal human, a person who lives life according to priorities. He doesn’t show clear signs of evil or corrupt tendencies. In fact, the two genies in the novel discuss his “goodness” and how it gets in the way of their plan of corruption. “He is a living epitome of work that spoils our intentions and plans” (Mahfouz 179). In result of that the genie gives Fadil temptation to bring out the corrupt side of him by giving him a cap which allows him to be invisible. “Do anything except what your conscience dictates” (Mahfouz 181). The genie intentionally gave Fadil the cap to make him invisible which would allow him to do anything good or evil that he could ever think of without being seen. His first move with the cap is going into a shop and taking money which isn’t socially acceptable. He then recognizes the danger of the gift. “You are punishing me towards evil, you knave” (Mahfouz 181). The genie then replied “My condition is clear- don’t do what your conscience dictates to you. You must also not commit any evil” (Mahfouz 181). The genie makes it clear that he tells him not to commit sins but Fadil did anyways therefore it is his fault. This proves that it is in man’s nature to act out of line and unlawful. The temptation of the cap was too strong for Sanaan to refuse just like al- Gamali agreed to kill the governor. This shows that Fadil Sanaan has given into the manipulation and by agreeing he set up his own corruption.
The police chief Gamasa al-Bulti is remarkably different from al-Gamali and Fadil. Al-Gamali and Fadil Sanaan are both manipulated by evil a genie which leads to their destruction. The genie named Singam exposes al-Bulti and makes him change his evil ways and instigates a series of crimes in the city. When he was unable to come to a conclusion of a crime people would start to question his capabilities. “He was angry about being insulted and his strong and defiant nature took control of him. His tendencies towards good became submerged and disappeared to faraway depths” (Mahfouz 40). Singam is easily able to bring out the dark side by disrupting his vulnerability and his pride. Mahfouz creates a character who failed which brought out the real qualities of al-Bulti. It caused al-Bulti to act unlawful and do whatever it takes to not make himself look weak. “Whenever a new incident took place he arrested tens of people and tortured them unmercifully” (Mahfouz 40). Here he reaches the same corruption as al-Gamali and Sanaan Fadil, but unlike the other two men his corruption wasn’t seen by himself. He is convinced that he is still on the good side but in reality was not, but to him he was only doing his job. Singam points out that he has been “pursued by the curse of protecting criminals and persecuting respectable people” (Mahfouz 42). Al-Bulti unlike Fadil and al- Gamali he gets the chance to stop his evil acts while the other two are too far in and they have no chance for redemption. This is a clear example of how a man can be manipulated to become corrupt not only by threat but disruption of one’s self-image to the rest of people.
Mahfouz uses evil genies to bring out their dark desires and illustrates his belief that man can be manipulated into corruption by evil forces. He uses a number of characters such as Sanaan al- Gamali, Gamasa al- Bulti and Fadil Sanaan to prove his point and shows how each character has the same weaknesses, temptation and corrupt nature.