Road to Chlifa

The anonymous narrator calls Karim a “catalyst,” implying he is unchanged by the fight with Dave. Is this statement accurate? How does Karim’s own description of his “reaction” differ from the narrator’s?

This book features at least two scenes of female violation: Dave’s groping of My-Lan, and Maha’s rape. In addition, the bombing of Nada’s house is also referred to as “obscene,” and “ravaged.” What commentary does this book make on violence against women? How are race and racism related to that violence?

While Karim finds Maha to be bright, inquisitive, and insightful beyond her years, she has a reputation as a “bad seed” and even a girl with a wicked heart. Maha explains to Karim why local women have such a low opinion of her. What does her rejection of social norms say about her character? How does it influence Karim? What is the significance of her burial as a martyr?

Contrast Maha’s fantasy of the unicorn tapestry with her real experience in nature with Black Beard the goat. Where do fantasy and reality align? Where do they diverge? What does this say about humankind’s relationship with nature?

Karim’s classmates assume that Jad is his child. What cultural assumptions do they make? How does the real story of his relationship with Jad refute or confirm those assumptions?

Maha tells Karim that the one thing she is sure of is that she hates perfect people. By the end of the novel, what is Karim’s own view on perfection, propriety, and right behavior? If he changes, what causes that change?

How does the anonymous narrator’s imagined Lebanon contrast with the real Lebanon? How do images of Beirut contribute to this contrast, or images of Lebanon’s natural settings?

Discuss the use of ruins and myths from past civilizations (Greek, Roman, etc.) in the novel. For example: the commemorative stela, the Roman ruins, the myth of Aphrodite and Adonis. How do these past myths and cultures frame Karim’s story?