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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. What relation is Mrs. Kirsha to Hamida?

2. Why do the residents of the alley think they've been suffering during the war?

3. How old is the photo Mrs. Afify sends to her suitor?

4. Why does Kirsha openly invite the boy to the cafe in front of everyone?

5. How does Sanker disrespect the old poet?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hamida feel when Ibrahim Faraj begins to woo her?

2. What does Jaada do that causes Husniya to beat him continually?

3. What bad habits does Mrs. Afify have?

4. Why does Radwan Hussainy tell Salim Alwan that he is better off with his sickness than others are with their health?

5. Why does Ibrahim Faraj refrain from having sex with Hamida?

6. As the story ends, what are the residents of the alley preparing to celebrate?

7. What does Zaita say was the summer resort of his childhood?

8. When Abbas comes home to the alley on holiday, Uncle Kamil follows him to the cafe, and then asks Abbas to return to the sweet shop with him. Why is Uncle Kamil staying so close to Abbas?

9. How do Hamida and her friends feel about the Jewish girls that work in Cairo?

10. Why is Hamida pleased when Abbas says that what she has done will always stand between them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Afify is superstitious. Describe her superstitions and the role they play in the plot.

Essay Topic 2

What effect on Mahfouz' storytelling was created by the fact that his audience had a low level of literacy and were unlikely to have ever read a novel before this one? What probable effects of those facts can you demonstrate in the text?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character of Radwan Hussainy. How has he managed to live happily while enduring great sorrow and loss? What effect does his advice have on those who ask him for it? What do you see as Mahfouz' purpose in making Radwan Hussainy a central character in his depiction of the alley?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 693 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample