Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is diction?
What is diction?
A writer's or speaker's choice of words
What is a refugee?
What is a refugee?
A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster
Who is the protagonist?
Who is the protagonist?
Safiya
What does patriarchy mean?
What does patriarchy mean?
Who is Saba?
Who is Saba?
What is the work week in Arab countries?
What is the work week in Arab countries?
What is the weekend in an Arab country?
What is the weekend in an Arab country?
What is a civil war?
What is a civil war?
Who are the mukhabarat?
Who are the mukhabarat?
What occupation does Safiya's dad have?
What occupation does Safiya's dad have?
How do Safiya and Tariq feel about fleeing to Jordan?
How do Safiya and Tariq feel about fleeing to Jordan?
What happened on the journey to Jordan?
What happened on the journey to Jordan?
Is Aunt Zainab empathic?
Is Aunt Zainab empathic?
How does Aunt Zainab treat Safiya?
How does Aunt Zainab treat Safiya?
Are women safe to go on their own?
Are women safe to go on their own?
Who is Lamia and how does Safiya feel about her?
Who is Lamia and how does Safiya feel about her?
How does Tariq feel about moving into a tent?
How does Tariq feel about moving into a tent?
Does Saba know she has a twin?
Does Saba know she has a twin?
Who is Um Salim?
Who is Um Salim?
What was Safiya's mom's name?
What was Safiya's mom's name?
What is the school of hard knocks?
What is the school of hard knocks?
How do we know Aunt Zainab may have had a rough childhood?
How do we know Aunt Zainab may have had a rough childhood?
What is the cat's name?
What is the cat's name?
Why would Safiya wish she was a boy?
Why would Safiya wish she was a boy?
What are some conditions of living in the tent that are hard?
What are some conditions of living in the tent that are hard?
What is the currency in Jordan?
What is the currency in Jordan?
How would you describe Aunt Zainab?
How would you describe Aunt Zainab?
How does Abu Ali try to help with Safiya's situation?
How does Abu Ali try to help with Safiya's situation?
How would you describe Abu Ali?
How would you describe Abu Ali?
How would you describe Safiya?
How would you describe Safiya?
What is polygamy?
What is polygamy?
What does 'Abu' mean?
What does 'Abu' mean?
Why is accepting charity difficult for Baba?
Why is accepting charity difficult for Baba?
How does Safiya initially feel about Uncle Malik?
How does Safiya initially feel about Uncle Malik?
How does Tariq feel about charity?
How does Tariq feel about charity?
What do we know about Malik?
What do we know about Malik?
How did Malik help with the rain?
How did Malik help with the rain?
How did Safiya feel about helping Malik dig the trench around the tent?
How did Safiya feel about helping Malik dig the trench around the tent?
Study Notes
Vocabulary and Character Definitions
- Diction: Choice of words by a writer or speaker, influencing tone and clarity.
- Refugee: An individual forced to leave their homeland due to war, persecution, or natural disasters.
- Protagonist: Safiya, the central character in the narrative.
- Patriarchy: A societal structure where men hold power and dominate.
Relationships and Family Dynamics
- Saba: Safiya's twin sister who is unaware of her true identity and family situation.
- Aunt Zainab: Not empathic; treats Safiya poorly, akin to a servant.
- Um Salim: Sister of Aunt Zainab.
- Baba: Safiya's father, a lawyer grappling with pride and shame related to their refugee status.
Cultural Context
- Work Week: In Arab countries, the workweek is Sunday to Thursday.
- Weekend: Friday and Saturday constitute the weekend.
- Civil War: Defined as a conflict between factions within a single country.
- Mukhabarat: The secret police operating within oppressive regimes.
Challenges and Experiences
- Fleeing to Jordan: Safiya and Tariq express fear regarding their escape; Baba experiences vulnerability for the first time on their journey.
- Living Conditions: Tent living entails significant hardship, such as lack of bathroom facilities and warm water.
- Charity Stigma: Baba struggles with accepting aid due to pride; his role has traditionally been that of a provider.
Personal Growth and Interpersonal Relations
- Safiya's Feelings: Exhibits a mix of frustration, bravery, and conflict, especially toward her family dynamics and living situation.
- Tariq's Independence: He is excited about tent life as an opportunity for greater self-sufficiency but resists accepting charity.
- Character Descriptions:
- Aunt Zainab: Characterized as snobbish and rude, with inconsistent behavior towards others.
- Abu Ali: Kind and generous, offers support through food packages for refugees.
- Malik: Struggles with his identity after a life of privilege; helps the family adapt to their new environment.
Emotional and Societal Reflections
- Gender Roles: Safiya experiences frustration over her limitations as a girl in a patriarchal society; she feels vulnerable and restricted in independence.
- Reflections on Childhood: Aunt Zainab's harsh treatment suggests a background of being similarly treated, indicating a cycle of abuse.
Key Events
- Hijacking Incident: During their journey, Baba's wallet is stolen, showcasing their vulnerability and the dire situation they face.
- Tent Life Adaptation: Safiya's initial resistance and eventual participation in helping Malik showcases her struggle and the reality of adaptation to difficult conditions.
Miscellaneous
- Currency: The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dollar (JD).
- "Abu" Meaning: Translates to "father" or "father of," often used in names to denote familial relationships.
- Paligamy Definition: Refers to the practice of having multiple wives, relevant to Malik's family history.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts from 'A House Without Walls' with this set of flashcards covering chapters 1-26. Learn important vocabulary, definitions, and character insights to enhance your understanding of the text.
