Lovers as Siblings in al-Manfalūṭī's Adaptations

Muṣṭafā Luṭfī al-Manfalūṭī (1876-1924) has been widely published during the twentieth century. The significance and success of his works lie in his encouragement of good morals and behavior as a reformer. This article argues that this intent instigated al-Manfalūṭī to represent love relations in his novels as ones between siblings. It shows how al-Manfalūṭī’s works portray this ideal bond, and how his protagonists, although unrelated biologically, behave and act as siblings. In order to trace this moralizing venture, the article closely analyzes the relationship between brothers and sisters in four of al-Man- falūṭī’s adaptations.