Point of View

If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English is written from the first person points of view of both of the main characters, Noor and the boy from Shobrakheit. This means that the narrative alternates between presenting each of these character’s perspectives on the page. These point of view patterns prevail throughout both Parts One and Two. In both sections, the Shobrakheit boy’s point of view begins the section. Within his opening passage of Part One, the boy explains that after his grandmother died “ten years ago,” he “took a microbus, then the train” “from Shobrakheit to Cairo” (3). Such details provide context clues to his identity. The reader can find similar context clues about Noor’s character within her portions of Part One. “If I was a white girl with a shaved head,” she begins her leading portion of the section, “they probably wouldn’t...