Chapter 1 (Part 1) Dream by the Red Sea and (Part 2) Languages of Love
(Earlier versions of this book gives Chapter 1 with the title Dream by the Red Sea, and there is no part 2)

1. Did the first scene. in which the narrator lay next to the second wife. provoke your curiosity? How did you interpret the holes in the floor? 2. In one paragraph. tell of a dream you had that was hard to interpret. Explain how you understood it (one paragraph at least). 3. 2017 edition only: VVho is Patti? Why does Ann hate her? Did you ever experience friendship problems in elementary school? 4. Who is Mrs. Galbraith? Does she sound like a good high school teacher? 5. Who is the teacher you remember most intensely from high school? Chapter 2 Changing Worlds (latest edition, earlier editions do not have this material) The answers to these questions are in the first chapter if you have an edition earlier than 2017. 1. How did the Saudi male students act differently than other male students?
2. Describe another set of people, either known to you or whom you have read about, who acted differently than what you are used to.
3. Does the story of the pet cat make the protagonist more or less interesting to you as a reader? Did you ever have a pet .om you loved like a dear friend? Please describe that pet.
4. What decision do Malik and Sylvia make in the first chapter that is bound to shock their respective families? Was their decision wrong? Should people of different faiths or cultures stay away from each other in the interests of a calm society?
5. Is there anything that you could do (or have done or might) that would likewise upset your family? Do you think that is a problem common for young adults?
   Chapter 3 (Chapter 2 in earlier editions) Luck of the Irish 1. What do you think is most interesting about Kate? 2. Do you think she represents her era? Explain your answer. 3. Why was Mustafa gloomy, 4. Do you think people get gloomier if they are reminded of punishments? Think of another situation in which people are frequently reminded of punishments. Describe that situation. Chapter 4 (Chapter 3 in an earlier edition) A Baby in the Desert
6. What unexpected facts does Sylvia learn about becoming employed in Saudi Arabia? 2. What surprised you about the Saudi university for women? Did you think Dr. Wafah was a sincere person,
7. Describe, in a paragraph. a difficult situation in your life that was not as you expected it to be. How did you overcome and/or deal with this situation? If there is nothing in your life to describe. then tell about a difficult situation for a family member or friend that did not turn out as he or she expected. How did that person deal with the situation?
8. Who is Ziyad? What is his relationship with Malik? Did the author like Ziyad? Did she dislike him or something he did?
9. What did the hospital tell Malik about his vtife?
   Chapter 5 (used to be 4) The Most Beautiful of Her Daughters 1. Would you describe Grandmother Zainab as strong or weak? Why? 2. What did you learn about burial in Saudi Arabia? 3. Was Grandmother Zainab the kind of woman you expect to find in a Muslim country? Why or why not? 4. What were Grandmother Zainab’s special abilities? 5. Who is the oldest person you have ever met? Did you take the time to talk to that person? Did you learn anything? Chapter 6 (used to be 5) Breaking Tradition
10. What was Sa’adiya’s job, What was her life like? What was her greatest sacrifice? 2. Why was Sylvia scared during the ‘Al Rahmanr given in honor of her firstborn, 3. Have you ever been scared by an event? Did you continue on with it? If that has not happened for you. describe a situation in the life of a friend or family member who was scared by an event or scared to be in an event. 4. Why did Madame Fattu want her grandsons to be named Yousef? How do you think Mama Johara felt about Fattu’s desire to have so many grandsons named “Yousef? Chapter 7 (used to be 6) The Red Stroller
11. What would you expect to see in a souk? 2. What did the red stroller come to represent for the author? 3. Describe an object in your life that has held special meaning for you. 4. What did you think about Sylvia’s reaction to Sameer’s piano playing? 5. How else would you expect a Western female to respond to the situation given in the last question? 6. What were the drivers who stopped and opened their car doors thinking? If you were a woman in that situation, what would you do? 7. Is there any action in Western society here that gets on your nerves? Describe it and explain how you respond (several sentences at least). Chapter 8 (not present in earlier editions) The Last Traditional Doctor of Jeddah.
12. What gift did Yousef want Johara to share with her new wife? Do you think that was fair? Have you ever been asked to share something that you didn’t feel was right to share? 2. How was Uncle Yousef beneficial to his society, 3. How did you feel about the monkey? Considering there were no zoos in Jeddah then, nor any monkey specialists, what alternative do you think Yousef had? 4. Do you think Yousef was a good man, given the standards of his culture? Please explain your answer. 5. Do you judge your family members of past eras in a different way than you judge people your age in this era? Say yes or no and explain your answer.
    Chapter 9 (used to be 7 of 8) Cover Your Face
13. Why do women cover their faces in Saudi Arabia? How did the author feel about being asked to do that, 2. How would you feel if you were (daily) forced to adopt a style that you do not normally (or ever) partake in—for instance, a suit and tie, loose pants set low on the buttocks. high heels and evening gowns, shorts (male or female). tattoos. face piercings, a buzz cut. long hair, tight bound hair. or a 19th century long dress (for women) . 3. Could you adopt that `not you’ style for love? Would you crack? Why or why not?
14. What kind of threat did the author make to the male president of the female university and why did that threat have a positive result, 5. Why did Abdu hate his own son, Miyaz? Why did Jameel hate his stepson. Miyaz, 6. Do you feel their emotional responses were natural? Why or why not? Chapter 10 (used to be 8 or 9) Two Women in the World of the Unseen
15. How did Zainab handle losing custody of her daughter? 2. What happened to Johara when she was all alone in her room. playing with her doll? 3. What are jinn?
16. Explain what you learned about slavery in Islam. Chapter 11 ( used to be 9 or 10) Parlor Games
17. After reading the author’s debate with her husband on Muslim women walking alone. do you get the feeling that the Saudi society imposed more on women than the religion really asked for? (Please explain your response.) 2. What did the author hope her husband would do at the end of the Eid prayer? 3. Does the author use humor or sarcasm in the description of the party she attended in order to get her views across? If yes, give an example.
18. Give an example, in the society you live in, of people using objects of status to make themselves feel superior to others.
    Chapter 12 (used to be 10 or 11) Faraway Land 1. Explain the dilemma the author faced concerning her own son, Yousef, and the little boy Miyaz. 2. Do you feel that a culture gap hurts the relationship of the author and her husband, How would you describe that gap, 3. Have you ever experienced a culture gap with someone in your life? Give a few details. please. 4. Why did Malik think Sylvia would hurt Miyaz, Do you think he was right,
    Chapter 13 (used to be 11 or 12) Shifting Sands
19. Who was Nicole, What was her relationship with the author? 2. How did Nicole deal with problems in her marriage? 3. What possibilities did the author’s husband offer to her that would solve the problems she faced in Saudi Arabia? 4. Did the writer’s husband betray her,
    Chapter 14 (used to be 12 or 13) The Cage 1. Why doesn’t the author or her son speak fluent Arabic? As you read. were you surprised that they did not speak fluent Arabic? 2. Describe the apartment the author moves into. VVhat is its atmosphere? 3. How could the author use a telephone? 4. What happens to the author’s son when he plays with some children in the street? Why do you think that happened? 5. Explain ways in which parents and society can ensure that children play together in a kind manner (a paragraph please).
20. Why do you think Sylvia’s husband didn’t believe she was having a nervous breakdown? What was his state of mind?
21. Give an example from your own observation—your life of what you have seen—of someone denying the suffering of another pers n (pretending it does not exist).

Sample Solution

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