1. The news-clippings of Chapter 14 relate to state of Egyptian food supply. Specifically Chapter 14 focuses on the lack of sanitation and the absurd spread of disease within the mass distribution of food in the country. Chapter 15 discusses Zaat's efforts to make her household healthier, based upon nutritional suggestions from Manal's husband (the Doctor). There is a prominent contrast between the utter disregard for health on behalf of the Egyptian government and nutritional authorities, with Zaat's vehemence towards eating healthily (she takes it so far as to boil all the vegetables).
2. Within the chapters devoted to news-clippings, Ibrahim generally relies upon the disparities between the sources to criticize the corruption and lack of communication within Egyptian society. For example, in Chapter 12, the Irrigation Minister on page 187 reports "A better than average flood. All indications confirm that Egypt is not in danger of drought." This statement is contradicted on page 188 with the two clippings "Water level in Lake Nasser falling" and "Water level in Lake Nasser continues to fall" as well as on page 189 "Ten meters of water remaining High Dam turbines stop working." By drawing from different sources, Ibrahim illustrates the extend to which authorities are willing to lie in self preservation at the expense of the masses (in the instances of lying about rotten food or drought which threaten public health).
3. An example of absurdist literature can be found on page 202, in which Abdel Maguid watches women eat ice cream cones with a bizarre erotic fascination.
4. Himmat
My mind raced faster than my mouth which remained firmly shut, not out of stupidity, but fear. I lived in my head, not realizing when the hungry stares of male classmates turned into brutish personal invasion on the streets.
Showing posts with label Blog Assignments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Assignments. Show all posts
Zaat Blog Assignment #3
1) Here is an image I found of an open sewer in Alexandria.
http://madeinmaadi.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-defining-aspects-of-urban-egyptian.html
2) See Vocab Entry: Attrition
3) How has your understanding of the word "transmission" changed as the book progresses? Has the meaning of the word in its application evolved?
http://madeinmaadi.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-defining-aspects-of-urban-egyptian.html2) See Vocab Entry: Attrition
3) How has your understanding of the word "transmission" changed as the book progresses? Has the meaning of the word in its application evolved?
Vocab Entry: Initiatory
Initiatory-constituting a beginning
Zaat pg1 "Zaat's life was full of such initiatory moments, all of which were associated with shocks no less traumatic than that first slap on the backside."
In this case, initiatory is used to describe any of the moments in Zaat's life that could be used to open/begin the story.
Zaat pg1 "Zaat's life was full of such initiatory moments, all of which were associated with shocks no less traumatic than that first slap on the backside."
In this case, initiatory is used to describe any of the moments in Zaat's life that could be used to open/begin the story.
Zaat Blog Assignment #1
1) I think Ibrahim includes this scene early on to establish several clear understanding between himself and the audience, namely: although he is Egyptian, he does not condone all the customs, this book will tackle uncomfortable issues in a matter of fact way, he is able to remove himself from the events in his story and provide third party commentary. The scene is described in an almost humorous tone, despite the horrendous events being described. Ibrahim recognizes this disconnect between subject matter and tone and employs it to illustrate to the audience how the Egyptian culture trivializes such practices in the way they use language to address them.
2) One way in which Ibrahim explores the concept of insider versus outsider is in the point of view he uses to narrate the book. The third person perspective creates a barrier between the audience and the character they are trying to understand. However, Ibrahim still delves into the emotions of Zaat and her internal workings using this third person. The overall effect is one where the audience feels almost like intruders in Zaat's personal life, allowing the audience to understand the strict customs of privacy in the Middle East, and how traditionally, women's personal thoughts are not deemed decent to be listening to.
3) On pages 12 and 13, "transmissions" are the snippets of news that would go into the newspaper. On page 13 it's stated that editors held meetings for the transmission the paper wasn't allowed to publish. I wonder if the snippets from the news that make up chapter two are the transmissions the newspaper is not allowed to publish? If so, they would offer valuable insight into the society Zaat is living in, and what information is being withheld from the citizens.
2) One way in which Ibrahim explores the concept of insider versus outsider is in the point of view he uses to narrate the book. The third person perspective creates a barrier between the audience and the character they are trying to understand. However, Ibrahim still delves into the emotions of Zaat and her internal workings using this third person. The overall effect is one where the audience feels almost like intruders in Zaat's personal life, allowing the audience to understand the strict customs of privacy in the Middle East, and how traditionally, women's personal thoughts are not deemed decent to be listening to.
3) On pages 12 and 13, "transmissions" are the snippets of news that would go into the newspaper. On page 13 it's stated that editors held meetings for the transmission the paper wasn't allowed to publish. I wonder if the snippets from the news that make up chapter two are the transmissions the newspaper is not allowed to publish? If so, they would offer valuable insight into the society Zaat is living in, and what information is being withheld from the citizens.
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