Saturday, October 6, 2012

In God's Garden Discussion

Discussion Points
1.      What does the title “In God’s Garden” refer to?
2.      Do you think that Nadia lived her life as if in a garden? Why?
3.      What reasons did Nadia’s grandfather give to his son to discourage him from marrying Nadia’s mother? Do you agree with him? Did the events of the novel prove him right, or wrong?
4.      What triggered Nadia’s feelings toward her mother? Did her sister, Salwa, feel the same? Why?
5.      Name Nadia’s true love or loves. Explain.
6.      According to Nadia, how many meanings are there to the expression “God willing”? Which one she followed? Explain.
7.      Is there a gap between appearances and reality in the Egyptian culture? Explain?
8.      List the differences and similarities between Nadia’s life in Egypt and her life if she had been living in the United States?
9.      How did the political, social, and economic changes brought by Abd al-Nasser, al-Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak affect Nadia’s family?
10.  Show how religion and life intertwine in Egypt?