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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the story Judar And His Brethren, what is the name of the lake where Judar goes fishing?

2. What is Khalifah's first catch in Khalifah The Fisherman of Baghdad?

3. In the story of The Lady And Her Five Suitors, what do the men do after being freed?

4. When Fatimah strikes her husband, what does it do to his face?

5. For how long was Abu Hasan a bodyguard for the foreign king in the story of How Abu Hasan Broke Wind?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Abu Kir's life like his business in Abu Kir The Dyer And Abu Sir The Barber?

2. What moral does Shahrazad imply through her story in the story Julnar The Sea-Born And Her Son King Badr Basim of Persia?

3. In the Conclusion, King Shahryar's legacy began bloody and ended in peace and prosperity thanks to the gifted storyteller, Shahrazad. Through her stories and her love she changes the heart of the king and her stories live on through the generations. What kind of a reminder can this conclusion offer to humanity on the whole?

4. Why might it be in Shahrazad's interests to decide to tell this story to the king in The City of Brass?

5. In Judar And His Brethren, how does Judar portray his greed?

6. How does the constant questioning of Sindbad the Seaman's identity throughout Sindbad The Seaman And Sindbad The Lands change the view of the nature of his character to listeners?

7. What is the relationship between the Allah and the Caliph in regards to which has the most power in Khalifah The Fisherman of Baghdad?

8. What does Shahrazad reinforce to her king through The Sleeper And The Waker?

9. How is justice served through the story of Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves?

10. Consider the saying "One cannot fully escape the past." How is this saying proven in Ma'aruf The Cobbler And His Wife Fatimah?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Tale of Ma'an Son of Zaidah and The Badawi is an especially poignant tale in which Shahrazad seems to be asking her king, "What do your people think of you? Are you sure you want to continue doing this?" In an essay, explain why this question is especially important to both Shahrazad's survival, as well as her king's development of conscience for the future.

Essay Topic 2

The Story of King Shahryar and His Brother demonstrates the good of what will come when all characters involved that are suffering turn their fates over to Allah. This is also a consistent theme seen throughout the telling of Shahrazad's tales until the end of the novel itself. Now, Arabian Nights is seen as one of the most powerful and beautiful classics of all times in the literary world. Do you feel that the historical timing of the introduction of this book to society helped its ascension to fame, or hindered it? Would another Arabian Nights be so highly lauded if offered up to the public today, despite its moral teachings?

Consider and recognize:

Islamic culture in Persia at that time.

Stances on religion and appropriateness of religious teachings in schools at this time.

Women's traditional places in the areas discussed in the book at that time.

Women's rights today.

Accepted sexual practices of the political elite at the time.

Unacceptable publicity of sexual practices of the politically elite at that time.

Essay Topic 3

Shahrazad's feminine heroism leaves for a depth of literary interpretation. Her story can be seen as a feminist critique insofar as it criticizes the weaknesses of a masculinity that is constructed on the image of power, control and domination. Yet Shahrazad's response remains within the parameters established for women by Islam.

Reviewing and referring to the tales you find most telling of her role, characterize Shahrazad's personality and critique her abilities to make her intentions a reality.

(see the answer keys)

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