The blend of East and West in Egypt is symbolized by clothing, the most striking being Darwish's golden spectacles and young Kirsha's stylish wardrobe, showing a lifestyle to which he tries to lure lifelong friend Abbas.
In Chapter 1, which sketches the café, center of Midaq Alley's social life, the theme is that times change is symbolized by a secondhand radio that replaces old fashioned recitations.
Midaq Alley