Under the Sun of Thought

Author: Tawfiq al-Hakim

Within a creative literary climate, Tawfiq al-Hakim attempts to present topics that are examples of research and discussion, not only in his time but throughout time to this day. In his book, he spoke about religion, literature, art, culture, politics, society, and women. Regarding religion, he wrote about the realm of faith, defended Islam, wrote about the secret of the greatness of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and spoke about the essence of religion. In literature and art, his discussion covered creation and criticism, the purpose of literature and art, art and reform, and he shed light on the sources of Egyptian art, Eastern culture, and the essence of the Eastern spirit. He then addressed the revival of Arab culture, the impact of Europe on modern literature, and Arab literature in the past and present, among other topics. In politics and society, he spoke about the hysteria of politics, the excesses of democracy, belief in ideals, war with all its weapons, and the bliss of elections. He also wrote about spinsters, beggars, parties, the people, Egypt, and the Russian slogan. Regarding women, his discussions covered women and society, art and the artist, greatness, the human meaning of uniform dress, the state of the blind, freedom and the home, and finally, the nature of women. Tawfiq al-Hakim's discussions are never tiresome, and his articles, which carried in their phrases, style, and meanings the characteristics of renewed, sophisticated literature and sound discourse, are articles that do not die through time.