The character in "Midaq Alley" by Naguib Mahfouz experiences a decline as he confronts the difficulties in his life. The metaphor of the cloudy sky symbolizes his pervasive problems, which seem to hang over him, creating a sense of gloom and despair. This imagery conveys how overwhelmed he feels by unresolved issues that cloud his outlook on life.

Despite recognizing the need for solutions to his problems, he struggles to muster the willpower required to address them. This internal conflict highlights the tension between awareness of one's challenges and the motivation to confront them, illustrating a common human experience of feeling trapped by circumstances beyond one's control.