Badr Study Guide

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“A Balcony Over the Fakihani”

It is primarily a historical and political novel: creating a competing narrative to the Zionist master narrative.
Themes of Exodus, concentration camps if you like, life on the march, genocide, a sense of chronic martyrdom, martyr’s cemetery, exile and diaspora: all these themes reflect the Zionists’ telling of their predicament in order to legitimize their claims to Palestine.
Memory of a homeland: competes with the Zionist memory of a “promised land for them.”
Mocking narrative tone throughout the novel but also one of hope. This internal tension often indicated through the artful choice of people’s names which suggest optimism. For example, Yusra—ease, wealth; Su‘ad—happy, lucky; ‘Umar—derived from life; Salwa—solace
Significance of names: names are after all the basis of identity. Nom de guerres
The Palestinian movement is not a religious movement but a nationalist movement, in which Palestinians are shown to possess national and ethnic solidarity. Both Muslims and Christians appear as protagonists on the same side.
- Thus on p. 6, take note of George Matta; Monastery of the Good Shepherd
When a recent member of the PLO was gunned down by the Israelis during the current outbreak of hostilities, the major church in Bethlehem rang its bell to commemorate his memory.
George Habash, a Christian, has been the leader of one of the most militant Palestinian commando groups: the PFLP (the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine).
P. 65: Beit Sahour—a predominantly Christian village
- Inversion of the normal symbolizes the Palestinian tragedy: white hair on the child’s head (Ruba); parents watching their children die

Discussion question: How is water invoked as a political motif?

Think about: Palestinians left with brackish water, the sea, and their tears – how is this broadly evocative of the general Palestinian experience?

Copyright 2009, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. Afsaruddin, A. (2007, July 26). Badr Study Guide. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/arabic-and-middle-east-studies/women-in-islamic-societies/lecture-and-study-materials/badr-study-guide. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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Badr Study Guide

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Course Contents Women in Islamic Societies Home About the Professor Syllabus Calendar Lectures Assigned Readings and Films About the Authors	Personal tools Log in Register You are here: Home → Arabic and Middle East Studies → Women in Islamic Societies → Lecture and Study Materials → Badr Study Guide
	Info Badr Study Guide Document Actions “A Balcony Over the Fakihani” It is primarily a historical and political novel: creating a competing narrative to the Zionist master narrative. Themes of Exodus, concentration camps if you like, life on the march, genocide, a sense of chronic martyrdom, martyr’s cemetery, exile and diaspora: all these themes reflect the Zionists’ telling of their predicament in order to legitimize their claims to Palestine. Memory of a homeland: competes with the Zionist memory of a “promised land for them.” Mocking narrative tone throughout the novel but also one of hope. This internal tension often indicated through the artful choice of people’s names which suggest optimism. For example, Yusra—ease, wealth; Su‘ad—happy, lucky; ‘Umar—derived from life; Salwa—solace Significance of names: names are after all the basis of identity. Nom de guerres The Palestinian movement is not a religious movement but a nationalist movement, in which Palestinians are shown to possess national and ethnic solidarity. Both Muslims and Christians appear as protagonists on the same side. Thus on p. 6, take note of George Matta; Monastery of the Good Shepherd When a recent member of the PLO was gunned down by the Israelis during the current outbreak of hostilities, the major church in Bethlehem rang its bell to commemorate his memory. George Habash, a Christian, has been the leader of one of the most militant Palestinian commando groups: the PFLP (the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine). P. 65: Beit Sahour—a predominantly Christian village Inversion of the normal symbolizes the Palestinian tragedy: white hair on the child’s head (Ruba); parents watching their children die Discussion question: How is water invoked as a political motif? Think about: Palestinians left with brackish water, the sea, and their tears – how is this broadly evocative of the general Palestinian experience? Copyright 2009, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. Afsaruddin, A. (2007, July 26). Badr Study Guide. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/arabic-and-middle-east-studies/women-in-islamic-societies/lecture-and-study-materials/badr-study-guide. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.