In Naguib Mahfouz's poignant novel, 'The Quail and Autumn,' a former high-ranking official, Issa El-Dabbagh, grapples with a profound sense of disillusionment and moral decay in the aftermath of the 1952 Egyptian Revolution. Stripped of his power and status, Issa retreats into a life of self-pity and aimless wandering, haunted by his past and struggling to find meaning in a transformed society. His relationships, particularly with a young, uneducated woman, reflect his crumbling values and the spiritual emptiness pervading the new era. Mahfouz masterfully portrays the psychological toll of political upheaval on the individual soul, examining themes of identity, betrayal, and the loss of ideals in a rapidly changing world. This compelling narrative offers a stark commentary on human vulnerability and the enduring search for purpose amidst societal shifts.