Half a Day provides an allegory of one’s journey of life and changes that occur within a person while in this world. It reflects how life starts and ends. It is a story that is filled with symbolism that one has to be able to comprehend and interpret. To paint a clear picture, the author uses a lot of figurative languages such that the reader lives the moment. Every part of this story has a hidden meaning and shows the different stages of life.
Mahfouz introduces his parents, the mother is full of admiration for him and the father provides him with manly advice. One time as a child, as Mahfouz goes to school he questions his father why he has to go to school. He thinks school is a punishment but as his father tells him, school is what makes men out of boys. Mahfouz also wonders why children have to grow and leave their parents’ homes but he later understands it is the way of life. He realizes he has to attend school so he can become a man just like the father and brothers. He wants to make his father proud. As he waves goodbye he gets into the school’s gate ready to learn.
As the day starts he tells of the fun times he was having and the lessons he has learned. He makes friends and girlfriends. As the day progresses he discovers that life is not always good times but rather other times challenges arise. He has to persevere and endure struggles to be able to do things that his friends cannot do as this will make him grab more opportunities in life.
