Yasins' life was changed from this moment,
Sitting next to her was her father, not someone else. When he saw him, his heart pounded harder. His father had removed his cloak and rolled up his sleeves. He was shaking the tambourine and gazing at the performer with a face brimming joy with joy and happiness. The door was open only so long as Zanuba was in the room, one or two minutes, but during that time he witnessed an amazing sight: a secret life, a long story with many ramifications. He awoke like a person emerging a long dream, deep sleep to the convulsions of a violent earthquake. (P. 249)
This part of the paragraph is extremely powerful where Mahfouz conveys the importance of having Yasin see his fathers' other life. Yasin has never seen his father drinking, singing, playing instruments, or even being relaxed in anyway. Yasin's heart pounds hard when he sees that his father is sitting next to a woman and not only that he is the complete stranger to him. Mahfouz not only lets Yasin in on Ahmad secret it seems that he is letting the reader have a look over Yasin's shoulder. Mahfouz uses the methapor of the earthquake to show this revelation to Yasin, "He awoke like a person from a long dream, deep sleep to the convulsions of a violent earthquake (249)" A dormant earthquake erupts without mercy when the time comes and nothing in the world can ever be hidden forever. Yasin was amazed at the sight he saw of the father he never really knew. So many things ran through Yasin's mind and he probably wanted to know about this made who smiled with such happiness.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Al-Sayyid Ahmad Holds His Own
"It was based most of all on his innate desire to continue to be loved and enjoy a fine reputation." On page 223 in the last two paragraphs of the page, Naguib Mahfouz displays the books moral theme: reputation and order. In this section of the book, the children were getting close friends of the family to convince Ahmad to bring back Amina. While doing so he believes that his neighbor, Umm Maryam, tries to hit on him. Though he fights temptation, he doesn't give in but instead chooses his fine reputation to uphold.
Throughout the book, Ahmad's reputation and order/place within his community and household, comes up frequently with precise illustrations displayed in order to get the theme across like on page 223. "Umm Maryam represented nothing more to him than a delicious kind of food, which threatened his digestion, he could easily turn down in favor of some of the other tasty but wholesome dishes that covered the table." This example of illustration is exact in portraying the them of reputation and order. Ahmad referring to Maryam as a food that would "threaten his digestion," meant that she would threaten his reputation, and he'd rather not go for that "dish."
Throughout the book, Ahmad's reputation and order/place within his community and household, comes up frequently with precise illustrations displayed in order to get the theme across like on page 223. "Umm Maryam represented nothing more to him than a delicious kind of food, which threatened his digestion, he could easily turn down in favor of some of the other tasty but wholesome dishes that covered the table." This example of illustration is exact in portraying the them of reputation and order. Ahmad referring to Maryam as a food that would "threaten his digestion," meant that she would threaten his reputation, and he'd rather not go for that "dish."
In the Dark
"He awoke like a person emerging from a long, deep sleep to the convulsions of a violent earthquake. In those two minutes he saw a whole life summed up by one image, like a brief scene in a dream that brings together diverse events that would take years in the real world.He saw his father the way he truly was- his father, not some other man, but not as he was accustomed to seeing him." (Pg. 249)
Naguib Mahfouz uses illustration effectively by presenting us with the unusual joyous character of Yasins' father. The secrecy behind his father's affair brings about the bigger issue in this book of oppression in a culture. The struggle to express ideas within a family is rejected by the presence of the father. Though its not seen in this way by the culture, we see it by knowing the characters thoughts. Fear and courage play a big part in whether this ever changes. This passage represents this by finally seeing the father for who he was, but the point is that he did it behind an ungrateful act.
Naguib Mahfouz uses illustration effectively by presenting us with the unusual joyous character of Yasins' father. The secrecy behind his father's affair brings about the bigger issue in this book of oppression in a culture. The struggle to express ideas within a family is rejected by the presence of the father. Though its not seen in this way by the culture, we see it by knowing the characters thoughts. Fear and courage play a big part in whether this ever changes. This passage represents this by finally seeing the father for who he was, but the point is that he did it behind an ungrateful act.
Kamal's Hatred
"He greeted Khadija and Kamal and sat down-as Kamal put it later-as though he were one of them. The boy seized the opportunity presented by the bridegroom's conversation with the others to scrutinize his face for a long time. It was a stranger's face that had suddenly appeared in their lives, where it occupied a prominent position that entitled the man to be one of their closest relatives-in fact, Aisha's husband. Whenever Kamal thought of this new relationship, he remembered the loss of Aisha, just as surely as the thought of white brings to mind the color black"(291). Mahfouz talks about description in this passage by the way he brings forth the character in our minds. We get the sense that Kamal doesn't like Khalil because of the way Kamal described him. Kamal doesn't like that Khalil feels like he is one of them and the author emphasizes this point by giving us Kamal's description of him. The author also uses color at the end of this passage to convey how Kamal doesn't enjoy the change of Aisha's marriage has brought to the family. Kamal misses aisha and blames Khalil for her departure. I can really imagine the face Kamal has when he is thinking about Aisha's leaving because of the way the author uses his words correctly. He uses words like "scrutinize" to let us know that Kamal doesn't approve of Khalil. The author could have used "notices" or "pays attention to", but instead he uses "scrutinize". It gives us a mental picture of how Kamal is reacting to the situation.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Khadija's Good Nature
Khadija’s latent good nature came to the surface like a green plant emerging from a seed hidden beneath the mud once sweet water has been provided. She did not suspect the motives of this interest in her the way she had previously. She knew this was genuine and directed at her unquestionable skill. It constituted a general admission of her importance and significance. Although happiness was not hers to enjoy, it would not be fully realized until she contributed to it. She set about this new project with a heart totally cleansed of her hostile emotions. (p. 239)
This selection stood out to me because I sometimes do this. I relate to how Khadija is willing to help even though she is mad and upset with this event. I sometimes tell myself I won’t help with some things but I end up doing it because it is something I love: helping people. We see the logic, Khadija uses because she knows that she is the only that can actually help her sister and without her support her sister would be devastated. In this selection we read a lot of things that can’t be seen. We see skills, emotions, and ideas. The author start this with a simile which helps the reader see how much her willingness to help was hidden and how much it had to go through in order to come out. But in the end it appeared.
This selection stood out to me because I sometimes do this. I relate to how Khadija is willing to help even though she is mad and upset with this event. I sometimes tell myself I won’t help with some things but I end up doing it because it is something I love: helping people. We see the logic, Khadija uses because she knows that she is the only that can actually help her sister and without her support her sister would be devastated. In this selection we read a lot of things that can’t be seen. We see skills, emotions, and ideas. The author start this with a simile which helps the reader see how much her willingness to help was hidden and how much it had to go through in order to come out. But in the end it appeared.
Khadija's Good Nature
Khadija’s latent good nature came to the surface like a green plant emerging from a seed hidden beneath the mud once sweet water has been provided. She did not suspect the motives of this interest in her the way she had previously. She knew this was genuine and directed at her unquestionable skill. It constituted a general admission of her importance and significance. Although happiness was not hers to enjoy, it would not be fully realized until she contributed to it. She set about this new project with a heart totally cleansed of her hostile emotions. (p. 239)
This selection stood out to me because I sometimes do this. I relate to how Khadija is willing to help even though she is mad and upset with this event. I sometimes tell myself I won’t help with some things but I end up doing it because it is something I love: helping people. We see the logic, Khadija uses because she knows that she is the only that can actually help her sister and without her support her sister would be devastated. In this selection we read a lot of things that can’t be seen. We see skills, emotions, and ideas. The author start this with a simile which helps the reader see how much her willingness to help was hidden and how much it had to go through in order to come out. But in the end it appeared.
This selection stood out to me because I sometimes do this. I relate to how Khadija is willing to help even though she is mad and upset with this event. I sometimes tell myself I won’t help with some things but I end up doing it because it is something I love: helping people. We see the logic, Khadija uses because she knows that she is the only that can actually help her sister and without her support her sister would be devastated. In this selection we read a lot of things that can’t be seen. We see skills, emotions, and ideas. The author start this with a simile which helps the reader see how much her willingness to help was hidden and how much it had to go through in order to come out. But in the end it appeared.
A Father's True Thoughts
"He felt a boundless confidence and pride in this answer but later had acknowledged that his treatment actually had changed, although he had tried to keep anyone from detecting his hidden intention to change" (Mahfouz 285). We feel a sense of regret and compassion coming from Ahmad in this chapter. Mahfouz puts this paragraph here, after the arguement between him and his son, Yasim, because he wants us to slightly see the parternal side in Ahmad.
The way Mahfouz has dialog from only Ahmad in this chapter allows you to get into Ahmad's head and truly understand how he feels. Ahmad mentions that he reacted upon anger; trying to justify his actions. Ahmad's attitude and deffensive tone allows the reader to comprehend that Ahmad does love his children and that he didn't want to hurt Yasim. Mahfouz illustrates Ahmad's affection by having him look back at his past. He is recreating the emotions and moments that Ahmad went through. It shows that Ahmad has a passionate side and feelings.
The way Mahfouz has dialog from only Ahmad in this chapter allows you to get into Ahmad's head and truly understand how he feels. Ahmad mentions that he reacted upon anger; trying to justify his actions. Ahmad's attitude and deffensive tone allows the reader to comprehend that Ahmad does love his children and that he didn't want to hurt Yasim. Mahfouz illustrates Ahmad's affection by having him look back at his past. He is recreating the emotions and moments that Ahmad went through. It shows that Ahmad has a passionate side and feelings.
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