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For the purposes of this book, I have divided a discussion of Islamic feminism and discourse into four subtopics of discussion, which follow each chapter. Midaq Alley focuses on sexuality as a mode of female entrapment. Likewise, Palace Walk perfectly highlights domestic servitude. Children of Gebelawi (Children of the Alley) shows the female entrapped through spirituality. Finally, in a composite of four novels, we see the female entrapped intellectually. In reading this book, the reader should consider the genius of Mahfouz in light of his award of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. At least that is my intent. The first Arab to win this prestigious prize, some critics have tried to diminish his talent by suggesting that his award was more the result of political pressure to select an Arab. In my opinion his finest work reflects those years of writing through the lens of social realism. Because of Mahfouz, novels such as Midaq Alley and The Cairo Trilogy introduce the reader to a cross section of Cairo life. While culture, religion, and political upheaval become entangled, the characters of these novels lead desperate lives in a struggle to find meaning and purpose. We discover that most never succeed in finding the ultimate goal of a better life or affirmation as individuals. That is the reality. That is the truth of Mahfouz. He offers no solution; he simply presents his truth.