As time changes, people, societal norms and taboos change along with it. What was once in vogue one day, can be viewed as old fashioned or absurd the next. Both "Palace Walk," by Naguib Mahfouz And and "Layla and Majnun," by Nizami depict very distinctive times in the Middle East where societal acceptance can make or break a person. These different times create varying societal codes in pre-Islamic and Islamic cultures and determine the ways the characters should conduct themselves in their respective societies. Because of these differences in time eras, the characters and the way they participate in their communities are vastly different. The characters in Palace Walk are more reserved with their feelings and actions because of Islamic law, which is contrasted to the way the characters in Layla and Majnun act in pre-Islamic times. The authors illuminate these contrastive elements through how the characters interact with other individuals in the novels, mainly between their loved ones. Not only does it illuminate the culture of the times, but it also shows how the societal values influence the characters' lives. .
Islamic law and the lack of it directly affect the characters in the two novels, which is shown strongly between Ahmed and Majnun. Ahmad is regarded very highly in his society and is a person other people in his society admire. People in his community see him as a witty, intelligent man who has a stable, law-abiding family, but he is a very Jekyll and Hyde character at his core. When viewed from outside of society, he is a familial tyrant who requires nothing less than obedience from his family and is hypocritical in regards to his devotion to his religion. One of his lovers states that on the outside he portrays his devotion to Islam, but in secret he goes against Islamic law, alluding to his sexual promiscuity and alcoholism. He creates a very strict household, demanding his children stay in line with Islamic law.