Incendies Worksheet
Introduction to Comparative Literature
Dr. Doubiago
Worksheet for Incendies
1) Describe the narrative structure of the film. How does it emphasize the film’s themes, or mirror traumatic memory?
The narrative structure of the film is non-linear. It jumps from the past to the present and captures the different perspectives and experiences of different characters. By using a non-linear structure, we are able to draw parallels between our protagonist and her daughter as one has life-changing experiences and the other making life-changing discoveries. The recurring themes of remorse, forgiveness and resolution happen simultaneously in the past and present.
2) What are some of the promises made in the film? How are they kept by the end of the story?
At the beginning of the movie, Nawal promises that she will find and always love her son. She keeps and fulfills both her promises, however it is not revealed to the audience until the end of the movie when her twins fulfill their promise (to find and deliver the letters to their father and brother) to her.
3) What ancient Greek tragedy does this film loosely interpret? Name one aspect of the film that is different than the Greek tragedy?
This film is loosely interprets Sophocles’ Oedipus. One significant difference between the two tragedies is that the focus in Oedipus is on the unintentionally incestuous son and in Incendies it is on the unintentionally victimized mother.
4) What is peripeteia? Where do you see it in the film?
Peripeteia is the Greek term for reversal, a change to the opposite in actions performed. This occurs when the twins/Nawal discover that the brother and father are both one and the same.
5) How does Nawal “break the chain of violence?”
She does this through forgiveness; forgiveness for herself and forgiveness for her son. She allows her children to bury her with a gravestone and hoped for a reassured sense of peace for Nihad.
6) Why does Nawal write two letters, one to the father and one to
Dr. Doubiago
Worksheet for Incendies
1) Describe the narrative structure of the film. How does it emphasize the film’s themes, or mirror traumatic memory?
The narrative structure of the film is non-linear. It jumps from the past to the present and captures the different perspectives and experiences of different characters. By using a non-linear structure, we are able to draw parallels between our protagonist and her daughter as one has life-changing experiences and the other making life-changing discoveries. The recurring themes of remorse, forgiveness and resolution happen simultaneously in the past and present.
2) What are some of the promises made in the film? How are they kept by the end of the story?
At the beginning of the movie, Nawal promises that she will find and always love her son. She keeps and fulfills both her promises, however it is not revealed to the audience until the end of the movie when her twins fulfill their promise (to find and deliver the letters to their father and brother) to her.
3) What ancient Greek tragedy does this film loosely interpret? Name one aspect of the film that is different than the Greek tragedy?
This film is loosely interprets Sophocles’ Oedipus. One significant difference between the two tragedies is that the focus in Oedipus is on the unintentionally incestuous son and in Incendies it is on the unintentionally victimized mother.
4) What is peripeteia? Where do you see it in the film?
Peripeteia is the Greek term for reversal, a change to the opposite in actions performed. This occurs when the twins/Nawal discover that the brother and father are both one and the same.
5) How does Nawal “break the chain of violence?”
She does this through forgiveness; forgiveness for herself and forgiveness for her son. She allows her children to bury her with a gravestone and hoped for a reassured sense of peace for Nihad.
6) Why does Nawal write two letters, one to the father and one to