Naguib Mahfouz's "Sugar Street" explores a society where the norms are fundamentally disordered. In such a dysfunctional environment, individuals who exhibit mental or moral strength may be perceived as troubled, while those who are truly unwell, in terms of ethics or behavior, are often celebrated or deemed acceptable. This inversion of values highlights the confusion and deterioration within the social structure.
The quote underscores the irony of a world where clarity...