1. What do you learn about the role of women in the societies described in the sections by djebar, Rifaat, al-Idlibi, and Ayyoub? Discuss how the women cope with the conflicts they encounter.
2. Setting (the time and place in which literary work takes place) and mood (atmosphere) are important elements in many of these stories. Choose one story and describe some aspects of its setting: where it takes place; what mood is created by the details of weather, place, and time; and how this setting helps to convey the theme of the story.
1. The women's role in the societies as described in the selections by Djebar, Rifaat, al-Idlibi and Ayyoub is that these women have been struggling to gain their rights in their country and women are still trying to do this in order to cope with other conflicts that they might encounter later on in life. And Djebar, Rifaat, al-Idlibi and Ayyoub were at odds with their roles in their societies.
2.
One story that I would like to focus on is "The Story of Zahra" by Hanan Al-Shaykh. This story takes place in war-torn Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s. The mood is tense and chaotic, with constant violence and destruction surrounding the characters. The setting of the story helps to convey the theme of the impact of war on individuals, particularly women, who are left to cope with loss, fear, and uncertainty.
The details of the weather, such as the relentless heat and the suffocating dust, add to the oppressive atmosphere of the story. The city itself serves as a symbol of the larger conflicts and struggles within the characters' lives. The time period of the Lebanese Civil War adds a sense of urgency and desperation to the story, as Zahra and the other characters try to navigate their way through the chaos and violence.
Overall, the setting of "The Story of Zahra" plays a crucial role in conveying the theme of the devastating effects of war on individuals and society as a whole, highlighting the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity.