“She frequently heard their whispers. Time and again she was awakened by their warm breathe. When she was left alone, her only line of defense was reciting the opening prayer of the Qur’an…She began with the first floor and continued with the upper story, reciting the Qur’an suras to ward off demon.” (3). I was not sure if when I read this line, I was convinced that actual demons were inhabiting the house. Spirits is more of a phenomenon that is believable in my eyes, but demons? that is just plain disturbing. It wasn't like I got chills immediately after reading this passage from the novel. It was unexpected; one instance I am reading about the mother's routine prepping of the home and the other second she is reciting suras from the Qura'n to ward off demonds. Mrs. Susan Davis, our AP English teacher, showed us a two minute video of the Walt Disney movie about Moses, and in it entailed Mose's journey through Egypt. The setting of the novel takes place in Egypt. In the short clip, two EEgyptian men mysteriously show their talents, which consist of mystical potions, spells, and the excessive spread of dark smoke. Their eyes encircled with dark make-up, their body movement swaying evil, and their features, sharp. The stereotype of Egyptians, or better said the Western World's view on Egyptians was certainly shown in the Walt Disney movie. And in this novel, certain aspects of that stereotype are also given; the mother warding off demons with Qura'n Suras can be translated as mystical, the reciting of the suras can be interpreted as spells.
Whether it be the Egyptian culture that keeps reoccurring or a connection of a higher power (Spiritual), mysterious wandering is always an attracting tale to a novel rich in history and culture.
1. Mahfouz, Naguib. Palace Walk. New York: Anchor, 1990
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Why do you think the author includes this supernatural aspect in the novel?
ReplyDeleteInteresting analysis of that passage. Are you saying that Mahfouz is trying to connect this more modern tale to the ancient Egyptians? If not, do you think it's just a coincedence?
ReplyDeleteIt might help to know what Disney movie this came from and make a deeper connection between the mystical Egyptian men in the movie and whichever character you want to write about. I also saw the clip and to me those men look evil. Are you saying that Amina is evil? If she is, why would she recite something so holy as the Koran?