The Day The Leader Was Killed (53-103)

Summary

          Well finally the leader died, around the last few pages. It was so random, Muhtashimi was watching the television and all of a sudden it went blank. The announcer said Sulayman Mubarak was fine, then injured, then dead. I felt no sympathy because the page he died was literally the same page that he was introduced. However, I don't think that the title was for Sulayman Mubarak, the President. Instead I think the title was meant for Anwar Bey. The same day that Sulayman Mubarak died Anwar Bey died, and it was because Elwan killed him. Elwan was so caught up in the heat of the death of Anwar Bey that he tried to get retribution for Randa. Right, I forgot to tell you that Randa and Anwar Bey got married. Even though Anwar Bey is twenty years older they got married. They got divorced over their honeymoon because Anwar Bey invited some of his friends and they were drinking. So Randa got angry and wanted a divorce. Anwar Bey was not angry at all he was saying that there was a misunderstanding and they could fix it. I thought they could too, I mean he said he was a man who never got angry. It was a shock to me that everyone was on her side and thought what Anwar Bey did was very disrespectful, Elwan was one of those people and that is why he beat Anwar Bey to death.

Quote

          “Had you not given up on the matter…” (Mahfouz 68).

Reaction

          This quote is exactly what I am thinking. Even though Randa has just divorced Anwar, Elwan is still ‘in love’ with Randa and wants her to know. He just will not give up. Even when he is locked up in prison for killing Anwar, when he gets out he knows exactly what he is going to do first and that is to go to Randa. Elwan’s grandfather says that he will give his house to Elwan and Randa because he knows that he will not live by the time that Elwan gets out of jail. So, Randa and Elwan will live happily ever after, at some point. The real question lies in why Anwar’s sister wanted to cover up Anwar’s murder? Was it because she wanted to inherit his part of their fortune? But I guess I will never know because this book was a novel.   

The Day The Leader Was Killed (1-52)

Summary
          When I see the words "The Day The Leader Was Killed", what I think of is a leader who will be assassinated. However, my novella is not that kind of story. So far, the main characters are, Muhtashimi Zayed, Elwan Fawwaz Muhtashimi, and Randa Sulayman Mubarak. Elwan and Randa are supposed to be married, but the only thing stopping them is money. They both come from under privileged families who do not have much money. Muhtashimi is Elwan's grandfather. The way the novel transitions is that is goes from the grandfather, next chapter Elwan, then next Randa, and it continues in that pattern. Their point of view was first person. By the end of the first section that I read, Elwan decided to finally end the marriage.

Quote
          "Keep well, sir," she says as she leaves (Mahfouz 24).

Reaction
          I think this is a perfect quote to explain the book so far because nothing seems like it has a deeper meaning. Maybe it is because the novel is so short. When ever it is just Elwan and Randa speaking, everything is so monotone. When Elwan says "I love you" I don't believe it. It's not like he even says those words exactly. He says "I care deeply for you", that can mean anything. The most depth comes from Elwan’s grandfather because he only speaks in quotes. Maybe that is why Muhtashimi says that he fears for the younger generation.