Cairo

Throughout the novel, Cairo is symbolic of alienation. When Noor first travels to the city, she hopes that she will find a sense of belonging she did not feel in New York. However, much like the boy, she soon discovers that she feels more detached from herself, her family, and her culture than she did in the home she left. The setting therefore inspires a sense of alienation, isolation, and loneliness for both main characters.

New York

New York is symbolic of entrapment. Throughout her time in New York, Noor constantly felt as if she did not belong. She therefore relocated to Cairo, hoping the Egyptian city would grant her a newfound sense of freedom. Throughout her first months in Cairo, she constantly compares it to New York in order to justify her move.

Balconies

The balconies in Noor's downtown Cairo apartment are symbolic of danger...