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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. Where does Zaynab sleep after catching Yasin with Nur?

2. Who does the person who visits Ahmad in Chapter 36 wish for her son to marry?

3. What does the author say Fahmy is obsessed with in Chapter 52?

4. What is the name of Yasin's new bride?

5. What does Iffat demand of Ahmad when he visits him in Chapter 60?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Fahmy's views on nationalism, as described in Chapter 52?

2. What is the nature of Fahmy and Yasin's conversation in Chapter 41?

3. How is Yasin's last meeting with his mother described?

4. What does Jalia confront Ahmad about when she joins the men's party during Aisha's marriage celebration?

5. What do Kamal and Umm Hanafi tell the others happened when they were chased by British troops?

6. How does Fahmy react when the first martyrs start dying in the revolution?

7. How does Kamal tell Ahmad that he wants Amina back in their house?

8. How is Umm Maryam's visit to Ahmad's store described in Chapter 35?

9. What is the nature of Iffat's visit to Ahmad's store in Chapter 60?

10. What does Ahmad tell Khadija just before she is married?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early in the book, it becomes clear that there is a pointed difference in the way the men and women of Ahmad's family are treated.

Part 1.) What can we learn about the difference between men and women in Ahmad's household based on the morning rituals of each in his house?

Part 2.) What is telling about the time period of the book based on the treatment of men and women in the book?

Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Ahmad's character based on his treatment of men and women in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolism of author's use of religious and political figures in the book, notably Martyr al-Husayn and Sa'd Zaghlul. What tone might the author be trying to set to describe the impact these figures had on Egyptian culture?

Essay Topic 3

The underlying theme throughout the entire book has been Ahmad's tyranny over his family, with little explanation for what motivates his actions towards others.

Part 1.) What is Ahmad's nature based on his need to be a tyrant over his household?

Part 2.) How does Ahmad's tyranny parallel similar political actions going on in Egypt at the time?

Part 3.) Does Ahmad's ponderings after Fahmy's funeral suggest that he may have had a change of heart regarding his tyrannous treatment of his family?

(see the answer keys)

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