Summary

Chapter 12 begins with Midhat dreaming of Fatima. He tried to write his thoughts, but nothing came out. He even wrote Jeannette’s name on the page. However, the next day at work in the shop, Haj Nimr came in to tell Midhat that he would give his blessing for marriage if Midhat was still interested. Shocked and ecstatic, he runs home to tell Teta. She was beside herself with joy, but when Midhat runs to tell Jamil, he seemed to be underwhelmed at the news, seemingly jealous. As the town buzzed with news about Midhat and Fatima’s engagement, so too did it buzz with new news of the approval of the mandate system; Syria and Lebanon would be ruled over by France, with Palestine remaining in British hands and no groups being given independence. Midhat wrote a letter to Hani about his...