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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. Why do patients accept Dr. Booshy's painful cures?

2. How does Hamida respond to Abbas' words of love?

3. How is Hamida's engagement to Abbas confirmed?

4. Why does Sheikh Darwish think Kirsha should love his wife?

5. Where does Sheik Darwish live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hamida feel about questions of morality?

2. Why does Salim Alwan envy those who die of a heart attack?

3. Why have Salim Alwan's sons drifted from the life of merchants and trade?

4. How does Kirsha react to the gossip about his homosexual adventures?

5. What bad habits does Mrs. Afify have?

6. Of Abbas and Hussain Kirsha, which was first to leave the alley and which was first to return?

7. Why does Abbas believe that Hamida feels the same attraction for him that he feels for her?

8. When Kirsha shows anger toward Sheikh Darwish, he appeals to Zainab. Who is she and why does Sheikh Darwish pray to her?

9. Why does Mrs. Kirsha go to Radwan Hussainy to complain of her husband's behavior?

10. How could Salim Alwan earn the respected title of "bey?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The story ends as it began, with a description of the alley. Do you think that Mahfouz would agree with the statement, "The more things change, the more they remain the same?" Or would he agree with Sheikh Darwish's statement, "There's never a heart that doesn't change?" In your essay, take one side or the other and defend your position with facts from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Determine what the main theme of Midaq Alley is, and support your answer with evidence from the book. Where is this theme seen in the book? How is it exemplified? Who does it affect? What role does it have in the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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