Zaat Assignment #4

1. After your reading up to 247, please make a connection between the news clippings of chapter 14 and the prose section of chapter 15.

In the news clippings, problems such as radioactive powdered milk, the spreading of foot and mouth by cattle, unsanitary meat, etc. all relate to the prose in chapter 15. This is interesting because normally the news clippings seem almost random and separated from the next prose, but in this case, the two corresponded with one another. On page 225, it mentions how Abdel Maguid was suffering from the side effects of eating too much unsanitary meat, "his breasts had filled out somewhat, and the hair surrounding them had grown thinner", which is mentioned in the news clippings on page 219 when it explains the side effects of feeding the poultry contraceptive pills. Another instance where the two correspond is on page 231 of the prose when Zaat is cleaning the tin and uncovers the old expiration date. This is explained on pages 222 and 223 when it says, "companies sell the [product] in its original packaging if the dates shown are still valid, otherwise they repack the [product] in bags carrying their own name and the date of repackaging". Through both of these quotes it is evident that there is a weak infrastructure in the food systems in Egypt.

2. Then, looking at pages 143 (Chapter 9) through page 247 (chapter 15) give examples of  how Ibrahim incorporates his criticisms of: religion, environment, and the economy--into the story/news clippings.  (does he use satire? characterization? contradictions? setting? metaphor? simile? )

Ibrahim is able to incorporate his criticisms of religion by employing the use of characterization in the prose section of the "machines". He included the scene where the women boycotted Zaat after she befriended Nadia to show the machines as well as the majority of the society's lack of acceptance of other religions, especially Christians. Through this he is able to highlight the Muslim culture's dislike for other religions and influence the reader to think the same way as he does. He indirectly shares his opinion of the environment and economy through contradictions especially in the news clippings. Earlier in the book he includes the correspondence between government officials who argue whether or not they have signed a deal, which shows his views on the government because the reader can decipher that he feels like the government lacks in communication. There are also contradicting statements over the environment and whether or not the cities are sanitary. 

3.  Can you find another example of "Absurdist Literature" at work? OR you can find an example of Satire -even if you used this in your previous answer.

An example of satire in the book is when Zaat witnesses a live birth when with Samiha in the city on page 153. This passage is satirical because it says, "the woman finished her food and stood up and two small rats leapt out from underneath her", and normally when people think of a birth they consider it to be a clean experience because they don't want to jeopardize the baby's health, but in this instance the women has her baby around rats who are considered dirty and disgusting. 

4. Finally, think of any character in the book thus far.  Imagine what their teenage life was like; make up a two line story....

Zaat sits alone in her room, imagining a future in which she could have the freedom to work and create a living for herself. Unfortunately this is not how society works, and she wonders how she'll ever find a husband who'll accept her and her forbidden dreams.