The Yacoubian Building

Main Characters and Their Development

• Zaki Bey el Dessouki: An elderly aristocrat who clings to the past and tries to maintain his lifestyle despite societal changes. His life is filled with nostalgia and memories of bygone days.
• Taha el Shazli: A young man from a poor family who dreams of becoming a police officer but faces corruption and injustice. His disillusionment leads him to radicalization and joining Islamists.
• Busayna: A young woman forced to work to support her family. She encounters sexual harassment and injustice but finds ways to use her allure to achieve her goals.
• Hatim Rashid: The editor-in-chief of a newspaper and a closeted homosexual. His life is a constant struggle between his sexual orientation and societal expectations. He seeks to balance his personal life with professional duties.
• Malik: The owner of a shop on the building's ground floor, striving to improve his financial situation. He symbolizes small business and the struggle for survival amid economic hardships.