Reference no: EM132196551

Transformation in four classic works of modern Arabic literature: The Thief and the Dogs, Men in the Sun, For Bread Alone, and Minaret

Each of the four works of literature we read in this class depict the story of personal struggle, transformation and discovery.

Far removed from political or cultural generalizations, these novels focus on the lives of individuals. Using the language of pastfuture and nextness, describe how two or three characters from the four novels you read, undergo a process of transformation.

In retelling their story do not summarize the novels. Rather, identify how and why these characters change.

The task of this assignment is to identify where in the story (not the book) there occurs a switch in their mode of thinking in time and what precise language or imagery the author employs to illustrate it. Finally, how does the character's transformation impact the arc of the story?

Does his or her switch from pastfuture to nextnessor nextness to pastfutureindicate a point of salvation? What triggers the switch from one mode of thinking in time or the other? Finally, is the change gradual or sudden? Is it permanent?

In answering these questions it is imperative you provide direct quotations. For quotations over three sentences long you should indent your quotation in this manner:

The alarm clock began to ring. I reached out into the darkness and shut it off. Then I got up and turned on the light. It was five o'clock. I could feel sleep still hanging there deliciously close, just inside my eyes. The boat will come to port in an hour, I was thinking (Choukri 117).

For quotations that are less than three sentences you may include it within the text: "I want every one of my children to think of me as always in front of him, whether I'm here or not. Do you hear me, damn you?" (Choukri 24).

Your papers should be double-spaced and 12 point font.