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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. What is the main characteristic Sarhan observes about Mansour?

2. What does Sarhan do to later explain the sudden fortune he expects?

3. What does Zohra say about her and Sarhan?

4. What does Ali point out to Sarhan about Sarhan working within the system?

5. Where does Sarhan first see Zohra?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Mansour and Amer discuss one night?

2. Describe the fight with Safeya, Zohra and Sarhan from Sarhan's perspective.

3. What does Sarhan do the first time Zohra delivers tea to his room and how do the two interact over the next several days?

4. What are Mansour's first impressions of some of the boarders at the Miramar?

5. Describe Mansour's version of the altercation in the hallway between an unknown woman, Zohra and Sarhan.

6. What does Sarhan say about Mariana when he asks to rent a room and how does Zohra act when she sees him at the Miramar?

7. Why does Doreya say Mansour is four years too late and what is his response?

8. How does Mahmoud inadvertently give Sarhan an excuse to move out of living with Safeya, and what does he say about marriage?

9. What does Mansour do when he learns of Fawzi's arrest?

10. What is Mansour's further impression of Zohra and how does he feel towards her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to The Awakening:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Hosny Allam. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either man's beliefs more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Mansour Bahy. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how two of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Naguib Mahfouz has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Miramar" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. What surprises you about the culture of late 1960s Egypt?

Essay Topic 3

"Miramar" ends on an unhappy or seemingly morbid note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Miramar" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Miramar" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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