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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. King Shaddad is known to be very what?

2. During a pilgrimage to Mecca in the story of The Sweep and The Noble Lady, pilgrims overhear a man praying for what?

3. What does the hermit eat/survive on?

4. What does the ruined man find after digging in his backyard?

5. Who is Gobbo?

Short Essay Questions

1. In The Sweep and The Noble Lady, how did the Emir's pardon of the sweep seem just, although it was not the ultimate punishment (death)?

2. How do faith and destiny align in The Tale of Kamar Al-Zaman?

3. What is one moral implied by Shahrazad in the Tale of Ghanim in Ayyub, The Distraught, The Thrall O'Love?

4. In The Story of King Shahryar and His Brother, the tale within a tale about the fisherman and the Jinni demonstrates the power of what kind of belief system?

5. What humorous fact is revealed in regards to the two men fighting for the bag in Ali The Persian?

6. In the opening chapter of The Story of King Shahryar And His Brother, Shahrazad is spared eligibility for beheading because she is one of the Wazir's daughters. Is her request to marry the king an act of fate/Allah's power, or rather an a human aspect of her personality?

7. What message through the story is meant for the King from Shahrazad in The City of Many-Columned Iram and Abdullah Son of Abi Kalibah?

8. What kind of moral is offered in the story in The Man Who Stole The Dish of Gold Wherein The Dog Ate?

9. In the story of The Ruined Man Who Became Rich Again Through A Dream, Shahrazad reminds King Shahryar that a life lived in faith is rewarding. Why is this an important reminder from Shahrazad to the king?

10. What might Shahrazad be suggesting through her tale to the king in The Hermits?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ironically, The Arabian Nights first rose to prominence when it piqued the interest of Western readers, as they were considered to be too "low-lit" to be of interest to Arab literati. Choose three or more tales from the book, and giving examples, explain why the elements of those stories might have been seen as too rough, simple, or rude to the trained eye of upper/class Arab literary intelligentsia.

Essay Topic 2

As the reader may have noticed from the beginning of The Arabian Nights, the story possesses unique characteristics in many ways. One way is in regard to the fact that frame stories are used consistently throughout the entire piece. In a 400-600 word essay, and keeping in mind the fact that typical Western literary devices are not used in this novel, please provide insight as to how the use of framing stories is an invaluable tool to:

1. The compiler/authors.

2. The character of Shahrazad.

3. The character of Sindbad.

Essay Topic 3

In The Tale of The Three Apples, the circular nature and connectedness of the happenings in Chapter 3 could arguably imply that there is a higher intention or being in power that if tapped, will lead the way to freedom and an improved life. In what way is this kind of fate/faith-based lesson-telling indicative of the times during which these tales were compiled?

Please keep in mind historical background, Islamic culture, and advantages to the author for the purposes of developing Shahrazad and the king's relationship.

(see the answer keys)

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