In the Country of Men Course Notes Essay

Thorough and insightful understanding of the ideas, characters and themes constructed and presented in the text edition. Complex discussion and minute analysis of the structures, features and conventions used to conduct meaning. Complex analysis of the focusing of lifes in which sociable, historical and/or cultural values argon embodied in the text. Construction of a sophisticated interpretation, which demonstrates an understand of ways in which the text is open to different interpretation by different readers. Considered selection of funda workforcetal textual record and highly appropriate use of relevant metalanguage. super expressive, fluent and co here(predicate)nt writing.Hisham MatarBorn NY 1970Returned to Libya as a 3yoFather a diplomatAccused of opposition of Gadhafis revolutionIn 1979 family put wiz over flight to EgyptFather kidnapped by Egyptian credentials in capital of Egypt and transfer over in Libya Never heard of again 2 garner in 1996.Matar biographical detailsPersonal escorts provide a historical link to the events of the unused Father of young Libyan captured by security forces and detained for his opposition to a regime which he claims oppresses freedom This novel is non a biography, rather a reflection of his own experiences, particularly his hu homophile relationship with his mother. Matars cores uses his own experiences, or memory of these, to illustrate ideas about family and, to a lesser extent oppression.Where is Libya,North of Africa, surrounded by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Algeria.Near bomb and Iran.The Problems with LibyaLibya was often occupied during its hi drool Phoenicians, Greeks, Ro humanitys all colonised Libya in antediluvian patriarch times archaeological sites still there 7th century Arabs introduced Islam faith and cultureearly 20th century Italy colonised Libya after an conformity with British and French to carve up north Africa Italian operate still strong in Libya evidence in text signior II Calz oni, Faraj reads and swears in Italian Post WWII Libya divided up betwixt French and BritishGiven independence by them in 1951 big businessman Idris 1 ruled 1951 onwardsOil discoveries in 1959 made Libya a very strategically important and potentially wealthy coun provideGADDAFI1969 Muammar el Gaddafi (Qaddafi), a military officer, headed a military coup against the autocratic tabby Idris popular uprising Gaddafi known as The Leader Of The Revolution or The GuideErratic Ruler, became more than and more autocratic himselfStrange manFormed in the 1980s Amazonian guards personal bodyguards all women Gaddafi claimed that they would be the undefiled guards because Arab gunmen would not fire at women M whatsoever claimed that the guards were an example of his eccentric showmanship and that he enjoyed being surrounded by beautiful young women He perpetually travelled surrounded by the GuardWomen were very well trained in martial arts and were app arently exceed picked by Gadhafi himself They had to take a vow of chastityAfter he was deposed, many claimed they had been dishonor by himShades of 1984Living in Libya, under GadhafiMost industries and media were controlled by fixMost aspects of states lives controlledTelephones tapped, just abouttimes tapper intrudes on conversations ITCOM Easily place secret police roam the streets watching people ITCOM Extensive oversight systems 20-30% of people worked in surveillance for theRevolutionary committees which oversaw and infiltrated every part of Libyan Society. They are able to walk of life into peoples homes and look for evidence of disloyalty ITCOM Press was silencedUniversity students silencedPublic excecutions of enemies of state, often televised ITCOM People lived in fear of being accused of crimes against the revolution Gadhafi had dissidents living overseas assassinated. His world motive is evident not just in Libya but also in Egypt where the Matar family escape to, but Gadhafis supporters in Egyp t capture the suffer and hand him over to Gadhafis regime. Libya was known as a pariah state for many years one which acts in a brutal way against its own citizens Libya often shunned by other countries because of active promotion of, and mental home given to, terrorist groups.Big BrotherCult of personality built rough Gadhafi (Recall 1984)Referred to himself as The Guide of Libya, rather than the leader. Called himself a socialist, an Arabist, an African and a Muslim at various times in his rule. He changed according to which way the political wind was blowing and his actions were always about brinytaining authority.LibyaMainly a Muslim nation. People called to daily prayers from loudspeakers in mosques. Drinking and eating of prok prohibited. Often women are required to cover up in public. Like all religions, chase range from strictly observant to those who are Muslim in plant only. Suleimans mother drinks when father is away but doesnt go out when she drinks because alcoho l is prohibited (ITCOM) Alcohol is prohibited by two the Koran and the legal system. Arranged marriages (ITCOM) blood feuds, arguments car park, particularly in underdevelop areasWhat ideas are these covers trying to convey?Cover 3 bleak, dark, tree represents entertain mulberry tree, tree of knowledge. Storm clouds suggest bad luck is approach etc. again the contrastlooks very western Cover 4. evidently white and blue near white and blue collar shirts, the apt and the dumb, the rich and the poor. and the boy being in the middle intimately a shadow, not 100% there. Red the color of anti revolutionary. How are the colour font and other visual aspects used to convey meaning here? The white colour reflects the hotness of Libya and the shadow of the boy reflect that hes not entirely there, the colour use of red is anti revolutionary, symbolic of blood.Why do you think that the author chose the title IN THE COUNTRY OF MEN for this book? Muslim way of life, women are almost less er important, symbolizes no freedom or mention of women at all, almost symbolizes the WWI as WWI was for men only and women didnt fight at all. What questions are raised about concepts of soil, manhood and humanity? The country of men substance its really a man dominant country, there is no such thing as a woman almost. Very sexist fiat How does the title tie in with the themes of the novel and the position of the characters as they try in their environment?How does the author use contrasting imagery in the opening passage to set the tone of the book? How does the image of people seeking mercy from the heat reflect the broader condition of the characters?HOLIDAY cookingHow is betrayal shown to be a strong force in the lives of the characters in the country of men? In the country of men suggests that people cannot bar brutality in a country under a dictatorship. Discuss.What forms of fetter are depicted in the novel? How do the characters experience and contradict to a lack of freedom? Through the mothers alcohol, women are imprisoned by men, in the country of men, means no voice for women. What can we popularise about the lives of women in Libya during the time period represented in the bosh? They are in a mans world with no control.Throughout the novel, Suleiman refers to his mothers drunkenness as her complaint. How accurate is this observation? Do you feel it is a reflection of Suleimans naivety in youth or a kind of wisdom about her actualcondition?In the commonwealth of Men ThemesNarrative voiceThe novel is written in startle person narration, largely through the eyes of 9 year grey Suleiman, but with comments at times from him as an adult. Much of it is internal monologue, one of the reasons that matar created Suleiman as an only child. As he had no one to prate to he internalises his experiences, hence making for a more reflective novel. The child-like exposition allows for readers to understand things that Suleiman does not for exampl e, Mamas medicine and her illness. callNames and naming are important in the text. Interestingly, Suleimans severalize can be traced back to Suleiman the Magnificent, the emperor of the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century who expanded the empire significantly and instigated enormous social and cultural developments. He is also known as Slooma a family comprise which is appropriated by Sharief and habibi by his mother which means my darling beloved or baby (Innocence)SETTINGThe setting of Lepcis Magma is used symbolically as a fallen civilization, an example of how every society will one mean solar day decay and die. The concerns of its people have longsighted disappeared into time.MOTIFSThe heath/summer is a motif running through the novel. At times it represents hell, as Suleiman tries to exclude hell by practising running over the bridge to paradise. Other times, its spot stupefies the people and pushes them indoors, leaving only the children to jostle each other outsid e. The long days of summer without school also allows for Suleiman to have the freedom where he observes the adults more than usual. The sea is also another motif, the beautiful blue sea just at the end of the road. At times Suleiman swims in it expression to be cooled and cleansed from the dirty activities he characters day-to-day. He tries to take Kareem into it to seek some solace from his grief but Kareem resists. Interestingly, it is here where he almost drowns Bahoul the beggar, exerting his power and giving into the base urges that he sees in his societySYMBOLISMThe symbolic representation of replacing the picture of Baba with an enormous picture of the Guide in the reaction room, shows loyalty to the regime and the strains on family relationships. Also showing that they have energy to hide to show loyalty. Shows their not related to what Baba did, and the guide is now their father and father of Libya.The games played by the boys, games such as My land, Your Land where th ey try to take power by gaining more land, represents the political games of the older men around them. The squabbles and fights are also a microcosm forthe violence in the country in which they are growing up.Much is made of the power of actors line in this novel. In an act of resistance to the dictatorship. Nasser is seen running through Martyrs unanimous after Faraj, clutching a typewriter used for producing subversive pamphlets. In another scene, Najwa and Moosa electrocution all Farajs books to save him from incrimination however, the image of books burning is redolent(p) of violent regimes trying to rid themselves of intellectuals who exponent question them. Moosa is a poet and caramel brown of language he is also closely tied with dissident acts. tie in to this idea, is the power of storytelling. Ironically, Najwa condemns Scheherazade for being a coward who accepted slavery over final stage pg15. She berates her for not standing up to her husband, for staying to look after her children, for being thankful for her life. The irony is that Najwa appears to be restricted as Scheherazade was and she also seems to fall in love with her husband over time. To Suleiman though she is a gunslinger that she managed to hang in telling tales without giving in to fear amazes him. Also, he is a narrator too, as is Mama.Loyalty and Betrayal the novel addresses the issue of loyalty. How do the characters experience loyalty and betrayal? Discuss some examples. What do you think is the main cause of some of the betrayals that occur?In chapter 5, Moosa says its our obligation to call manginess by its name pg53 Suleimans mother replies go call it by its name in your country. Here it is either silence or exile, walk by the wall or leave. Go be a hero elsewhere. What does she mean? Who is right? How do the different characters in the novel face injustice and what are the consequences?Point of view?How does the establish of view of the story affect the way that we see the injustices represented in the story? How might this be different if the narrator were an adult? Hisham Matar has much in common with Suleiman. Both left Libya where they were children, although unlike Suleiman, Matar wasaccompanied by his parents. In 1990, Matars father was kidnapped while living in exile in Cairo and was returned to Libya, where he was tortured and imprisoned. He has not heard from him since. How does knowing the similarities amid the author and protagonist affect the way you think about the novel?Role of womenDo the women in Suleimans life have any true power, and if so, from where is it derived?How has Suleimans opinion of his mother changed by the time he reaches the novels closing scenes?Insight into the textWhat is the effect of reading about this result in history through a childs designate of view? What clarity does it bring? In what ways do a childs impulses muddy the truth?When the students visit Lepcis Magna, Kareem states, Children are visio nary in a war. Do you think this is true? What might the authors point of view be?What profession does Suleiman ultimately choose? Why do you think the author decided to have Suleiman choose this profession? Pg 232 He chose the profession of medicine, being a pharmacist. It reflected the influence his mother had on him with her illness and helped him to understand what it really was.Gadhafi is the most important character in the novel, condescension his absence. Do you gibe?The novel examines the futility of resisting oppressive power. Discuss. How does Matar use both emphasis and narrative point of view to engage the reader?How is tradition shown to be a powerful force in the lives of the characters in In the kingdom of Men?How does Matar develop a sense of time and of place in his novel?Along with confusion, pain and despair, there is a strong message of hope in Matars novel. To what extent do you agree? putrescence is not only isolated to the Libyan dictatorship.To what exten t do you agree?In the field of Men suggests that life demands a choice amid resistance and surrender. DiscussIn the Country of Men demonstrates that it is a mans actions that dene him. DiscussIn In the Country of Men, Matar shows more sympathy for women than for men. Discuss.Why does our country long for us so savagely?Matars love of his country and his fears for it permeate his novel In the Country of Men. Discuss.How does Suleimans view of the world change during the course of the novel? in spite of the horror of the political regime, this is still a novel about the power of love. To what extent do you agree?