Story Of Zahra Character Analysis

The Story of Zahra Essay: Lauren Tanner Period: 3rd Humans have the ability to perceive information through their five senses, which in return can effect in what way the interrupter understands the situation. In, “The Story of Zahra” by Hanan al-Shaykh point of view plays a role in enhancing literary devices. The author presents the novel’s message through the eyes of multiple characters, including Zahra, Zahra’s uncle Hashem and Zahra’s husband Majed. This style of writing allows the reader to view the same culture and similar experiences through both a female and male mindset. The differences in the point of view sheds light of how literary devices are used and why. When the novel begins we are told the story from
For instance the relationship between Zahra and her Uncle Hashem. The relationship is first introduced from Zahra and is described as an uncomfortable and slightly abusive relationship. Zahra even claims that because of Hashem’s undesired sexual advances she has lost her sanity. On page 23 the reader gains insight as to how painful it is for Zahra to encounter such actions from her relative as she goes on to say, “My own fingers intertwined and I bled beads of sweat. I wished that instead they could be beads of blood. My face, all of me, would be bleeding then. If only I could bleed without having to suffer the wounds. I bled like a fountain, felt like crying, like running away, like screaming until the movie finished and the lights came up.” Once again this display of literary devices would be lacking meaning. Zahra describes the emotions as a women going through abuse and the author chose to explain that through the above literary devices. When the point of view changes in chapter three, the reader is exposed to how Hashem views the situation and what reasons he uses to support his actions and discredit Zahra’s. Without the change in point of view we would not be exposed to the male’s view on a women’s