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Unit 9 |
English 203:
Literature of
the NonWestern World
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Questions:
Chat:
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In The 1,001 Nights
the deranged or childish king believes that he has discovered that evil
in the world is caused by sex. Specifically, the other sex.
Thus women cannot be understood or trusted. In his journey around
the world (i.e., gaining age & experience), what does he discover?
That he was right?
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Sex & violence are
2 sides of the same coin. The female characters demand sex &
the male characters (at least initially) respond in violence. E.g.,
the rooster indirectly advises the husband to beat his uncaring wife "mercilessly."
When he does so, she is satisfied & they live happily ever after.
Does this story urge violence or male domination as the way to live a happy
life? Explain what violence means in the work.
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How orthodox is Mahfouz?
Does the narrator rely on The Koran to find the divine? Must
he do so? How about getting drunk? Alcohol is forbidden to
Muslims.
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Explain how the ending
of Mahfouz's story is positive. Or is it?
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Are there any female
characters in the story? Why? Does this suggest anything?
Short Answers:
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