This thesis will provide an introductory survey of the plays, novels, short stories and other writing of Tawfiq al-Hakim, which have been translated into English. This work will be useful to English-speaking readers who are interested in learning more about Tawfiq al-Hakim and his literary works. The study will include a brief biography of al-Hakim together with an overview of the political regimes, geographical conditions, and the socio-economic environment that had an impact on the various phases of al-Hakim's life. An analysis of examples of significant publications spanning al-Hakim's writing career will be undertaken. The main focus of this thesis will be an discussion of the play Fate of a Cockroach, in particular Act One which could be read as a political allegory for the life and times of Gamal Abdul Nasir, the military conflicts during his political regime, and the rise and fall of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961). The discussion will include a synopsis of the play, a description of the characters, and a literary analysis of the play, explaining the political allegory.