In a dysfunctional society, the healthy appears sick and the sick appears healthy
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 is lost, leading to a distortion of what is considered healthy or sick. Mahfouz paints a vivid picture of societal collapse, prompting readers to reflect on the implications of living in a world where the lines between right and wrong blur, and true health becomes misunderstood in the midst of chaos.