The pyramid by Ismail Kadare is a political allegory set in Egypt, chronicling the construction of the Great pyramid under Pharaoh Cheops. Ismail Kadare is a well-known Albanian writer, who discusses themes like totalitarianism, oppression, history in his works.
An allegory is a story, poem etc. that contains two layers of meaning. The surface level contains what literary in the story. But on a deeper level, the work contains hidden or symbolic meaning, which usually teaches a moral lesson. The pyramid is a powerful allegory that speaks out against totalitarianism which is a type of government, where a single authority controls everything. The novel doesn’t only tell a story about ancient Egypt. It also gives readers an understanding of how dictatorship works, especially relating to the situation of Albania under Communist rule.
The novel tells the story of building a pyramid under Pharaoh Cheops but the surface level plot is only a cover. Beneath it lies in allegorical message: a symbolic representation of cruelty, control and deception of 20th century totalitarianism especially Albania. Kadare creates a big distance between the setting of the story (ancient Egypt) and the real target of his criticism (20th century Albania). After World War II, Communist party took control of Albania. Enver Hoxha the dictator turned Albania into a one party state. He controlled the life of people by allowing no free speech, no freedom of religion, secret police etc.
On the surface the readers see the rule of Pharaoh Cheops, the building of a grand pyramid and the conspiracies of the Royal Court. But beneath the surface, the reader recognise the signs of modern dictatorship-the suspicion, the propaganda, and the crushing of ordinary people for the sake of power. Even though the culture of Egypt and Albania are different, the patterns of tyranny are similar. Both societies are controlled by a small elite who use fear, surveillance and false accusations to stay in power. The Pharaoh Cheops represents Enver Hoxha and the fate of Hemiunu, the chief priest who is executed in the novel mirrors the mysterious death of Mehmet Shehu, the former prime minister of Hoxha who was declared the traitor after his death.
The novel doesn’t represent only one regime. Kadare uses the huge gap between ancient Egypt and modern Albania to make a point about tyranny in general by presenting how similar forms of control, fear and manipulation have appeared in different eras. Everyone in Egyptian society, from rulers to slaves is connected to the building of the pyramid. In a totalitarian world, what matters is how close people are to the pyramid i.e. The centre of power. Their worth is measured by their function in serving the structure. The shape of the pyramid also carries deep meaning. Its triangular form represents a rigid hierarchy. Even it’s beauty and perfect symmetry are symbols of control and oppression . It is built on fear, obedience. Kadare contrasts this with democratic societies, which are messy and uneven, but alive and free. A totalitarian regime might look orderly, but that order is artificial and brutal.