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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. How many sons does Shahrazad bear to King Shahryar over the 1001 nights of storytelling?

2. What does the Persian give King Sabur in the story of The Ebony Horse?

3. Where did Caliph Abd al-Malik bin Marwan live in the story The City of Brass?

4. What does the lady with the five suitors originally request the carpenter to build?

5. What does the Greek man give King Sabur in the story of The Ebony Horse?

Short Essay Questions

1. In The Angel of Death With The Proud King And The Devout Man is described a wealthy man and a poor one. What are the fundamental differences in the reasons for why each man personally lived his life?

2. In what ways in Judar And His Brethren does Shahrazad personify evil throughout her story?

3. What is the relationship between the Allah and the Caliph in regards to which has the most power in Khalifah The Fisherman of Baghdad?

4. What moral does Shahrazad imply through her story in the story Julnar The Sea-Born And Her Son King Badr Basim of Persia?

5. What does Shahrazad reinforce to her king through The Sleeper And The Waker?

6. Consider the phrases, "All lies become revealed in time," and "time heals all wounds". How is this played out/proven in Abu Kir The Dyer And Abu Sir The Barber?

7. In what way could this be a sort of cautionary tale from Shahrazad to the king in The Lady And Her Five Suitors?

8. What goal in Alaedddin: Or, The Wonderful Lamp may Shahrazad been trying to achieve through this story to the king?

9. How is Abu Kir's life like his business in Abu Kir The Dyer And Abu Sir The Barber?

10. Explore the ironic moments of this story in The Lady And Her Five Suitors.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The City of Many-Columned Iram and Abdullah Son of Abi Kalibah, is unique in that King Shahsyar's faults are pointed out to him by a woman. But, unlike a court jester who can mock a king directly to point out his faults, Shahrazad has to hint at King Shahryar's faults through the stories of other kings with faults. Please write an essay on the facts/life situations Shahrazad must keep in mind throughout her entire experience with her king. In your intro, choose the adjective you use to describe how she must be with great care, and use them to back up your arguments.

Keep in mind:

The role of women in society at the time these stories were compiled.

The specific situation Shahrazad is in until the end of the book.

OR

After reading the above essay assignment, write a similar essay on what a similar/parallel situation might be for a woman to do something like this in present day, and the situational challenges she might face in similarity and/or difference to Shahrazad.

Essay Topic 2

The Story of King Shahryar and His Brother demonstrates the good of what will come when all characters involved that are suffering turn their fates over to Allah. This is also a consistent theme seen throughout the telling of Shahrazad's tales until the end of the novel itself. Now, Arabian Nights is seen as one of the most powerful and beautiful classics of all times in the literary world. Do you feel that the historical timing of the introduction of this book to society helped its ascension to fame, or hindered it? Would another Arabian Nights be so highly lauded if offered up to the public today, despite its moral teachings?

Consider and recognize:

Islamic culture in Persia at that time.

Stances on religion and appropriateness of religious teachings in schools at this time.

Women's traditional places in the areas discussed in the book at that time.

Women's rights today.

Accepted sexual practices of the political elite at the time.

Unacceptable publicity of sexual practices of the politically elite at that time.

Essay Topic 3

In this tale of Alaeddin: Or, The Wonderful Lamp, Shahrazad creates a character of mythological proportions who achieves greatness despite social, financial, educational, and logical obstacles. Perhaps it is Shahrazad's goal to humanize the poor through one individual so that the king can appreciate that the poor are as human as he is. Please expand upon all aspects of Alaeddin's struggles in relation to the king's own. Compare and contrast their similarities and differences.

(see the answer keys)

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