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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. On whom does most of the household burdens fall after Amina is evicted?

2. What are the prisoners that Ahmad reacts to in Chapter 53 arrested for?

3. Who decides that the British troops are camping to intimidate and stop demonstrations?

4. Whose marriage does the Widow Shawcat arrange in Chapter 45?

5. What does Aisha show that she will obey of God and her father in Chapter 38?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Amina's homecoming described after Ahmad sends her a pardon to return?

2. What happens when Yasin finds the maid Nur on the roof of the house?

3. How is Ahmad's visit with Umm Maryam described in Chapter 51?

4. How does Kamal tell Ahmad that he wants Amina back in their house?

5. What are Fahmy's views on nationalism, as described in Chapter 52?

6. What occurs when Ahmad and his sons attend the Friday prayer service in Chapter 61?

7. Why is Fahmy stirred by politics in Chapter 48?

8. What does Jalia confront Ahmad about when she joins the men's party during Aisha's marriage celebration?

9. How are Aisha's new surroundings described after she is married and Amina, Khadaji, and Kamal visit her?

10. What do Kamal and Umm Hanafi tell the others happened when they were chased by British troops?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The underlying theme throughout the entire book has been Ahmad's tyranny over his family, with little explanation for what motivates his actions towards others.

Part 1.) What is Ahmad's nature based on his need to be a tyrant over his household?

Part 2.) How does Ahmad's tyranny parallel similar political actions going on in Egypt at the time?

Part 3.) Does Ahmad's ponderings after Fahmy's funeral suggest that he may have had a change of heart regarding his tyrannous treatment of his family?

Essay Topic 2

Early in the book, it becomes clear that there is a pointed difference in the way the men and women of Ahmad's family are treated.

Part 1.) What can we learn about the difference between men and women in Ahmad's household based on the morning rituals of each in his house?

Part 2.) What is telling about the time period of the book based on the treatment of men and women in the book?

Part 3.) What can we learn about the nature of Ahmad's character based on his treatment of men and women in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the nature of ritual in Ahmad's home. Why does Ahmad's family agree to perform the daily rituals and chores he demands of them?

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