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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. Who is Zohra?

2. What does Hosny do one rainy morning with Zohra's teacher?

3. Who does Hosny take driving?

4. Which boarder is an announcer for Alexandria Broadcasting Service?

5. Who is Tolba Marzuq?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Zohra and Amer have a chance to talk and how does Zohra feel about the two older, male boarders?

2. What is Hosny's next encounter with Zohra and how does he react?

3. Describe Hosny Allam.

4. Why is Sarhan fighting a drunken Hosny in the hall one evening?

5. How does Hosny feel towards marriage and women?

6. What is Tolba Marzuq relationship to Mariana, and what does Amer think of him?

7. About what is Amer dreaming when he hears a ruckus in the hallway?

8. About what does Amer warn Zohra and why does he do so?

9. Describe Mansour Bahy.

10. What do Amer and Mariana complain about and plan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Miramar". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters most need to grow as humans? Why? Give examples. Why characters seem to have reached close to their full emotional/mental growth? Why? Give examples What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of mental/emotional illness or immaturity in the book. Which characters struggle with some sort of emotional illness? Why? Which characters seem really healthy emotionally/mentally? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of tradition in "Miramar". What is Amer's view of tradition? Mariana's? Sarhan? Hosny? Zohra? Why is tradition important to some characters? Is anyone willing to abandon traditional viewpoints? Who? What are the positive and negative aspects to tradition?

Essay Topic 2

Naguib Mahfouz published over 50 novels, more than 350 short stories, dozens of movie scripts, and five plays over a 70-year career. Many of his works have been made into Egyptian and foreign films. There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that Mahfouz may have wanted readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Research the life of Naguib Mahfouz and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing. Write a 2-3 page informative essay about Mahfouz as an author.

2. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

3.. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Mahfouz's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Mahfouz's probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to The Awakening:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Hosny Allam. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either man's beliefs more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Sarhan al-Beheiry and Mansour Bahy. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how two of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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