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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Salim Alwan plan revenge on his wife?

2. Why does Salim Alwan curse Sheikh Darwish?

3. What has Abbas learned while he has been away from the alley?

4. How long has Hamida been missing when Abbas returns?

5. What does Ibrahim Faraj say is his true profession?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story ends as it began, with a description of the alley. Do you think that Mahfouz would agree with the statement, "The more things change, the more they remain the same?" Or would he agree with Sheikh Darwish's statement, "There's never a heart that doesn't change?" In your essay, take one side or the other and defend your position with facts from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the effects of serialization on the structure of this story. Consider elements such as repetition, cliffhangers, gossip, and "tags" at the end of each chapter in which characters explain something that has happened to someone who doesn't know it yet. Find examples of each stylistic element of serialization and explain its use.

Essay Topic 3

What effect on Mahfouz' storytelling was created by the fact that his audience had a low level of literacy and were unlikely to have ever read a novel before this one? What probable effects of those facts can you demonstrate in the text?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 319 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample