41 pages • 1 hour read
Alaa Al AswanyThe Yacoubian Building
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
The intersecting lives of the novel all revolve around the Yacoubian Building. In what way does the building itself embody the class structures of Egyptian society?
The wealth disparity is made clear to characters on a number of occasions. Who is most hurt by this disparity, and who benefits the most?
Taha’s increasing faith throughout the novel eventually ends in tragedy. To what extent was Taha’s life always doomed to end in tragedy?
Zaki Bey and Busayna marry each other at the novel’s end. Is their relationship the strongest in the book?
Hatim’s homosexuality is well-known and rarely discussed. How does this impact his psyche?
The American war with Iraq is a background to the many narratives in the novel. How do the characters function in relation to this conflict?
The influence of European society is visible in the architecture and the affectations of a number of characters. How does the novel embody a post-colonial philosophy?
Souad’s abortion is her emotional nadir. Is Hagg Azzam suitably punished for his role in this event?
The police are a corrupt, violent institution in the novel. Which character suffers most at their hands?
In what ways do characters deal with personal tragedy, and which one is the most successful in processing such issues in a healthy manner?
