The Prison of Life

Description

“These pages are not merely a narrative or history of a life… they are an explanation and interpretation of a life… I am lifting the veil on my human being to examine the structure of that ‘engine’ we call nature or temperament… this engine that controls my abilities, directs my destiny…

From what was it made?… From what parts was it formed and assembled?”

Temperament is the prison of Tawfiq al-Hakim, in which he remained captive throughout his life despite his arduous attempts to break free. In this book, al-Hakim takes us on a rich journey through his life, beginning with his parents’ marriage. He elaborates on their character and how he drew his own character from them, but he doesn’t blame them for it as much as he blames himself. He also tells us about his birth in Raml Station in Alexandria, his childhood, his entry into the world of storytelling, his fascination with theater and cinema, and his travels between various Egyptian governorates due to his father’s work. Al-Hakim also recounts some of the life experiences he encountered at different stages of his life, including his time in Cairo, his enrollment in law school, his friendship with Mustafa Effendi Mumtaz, his connection to the Okasha Troupe, his beginnings in theater, and other rich details.