well as acquainting the reader
The journey is halfway over. Abul Khaizuran promises to put on a grand lunch for Assad, Marwan and Abu Qais when they arrive in Kuwait. As they approach the next customs station in Mutlaa, the men hide in the tank again, and Abul Khaizuran promises that it will take seven minutes at the most. At the customs station in Mutlaa, Abu Baqir delays Abul Khaizuran by asking him about Kawkab, a dancer that he heard about from Haj Rida. He wants Abul Khaizuran to tell him the story; in lieu of this, Abul Khaizuran agrees to take Abu Baqir to Basra to meet Kawkab the next time he travels this way. Abul Khaizuran rushes away, worried for the men because they have been locked in the tank for nearly an hour. He is angry that Abu Baqir talked so much. As he reaches the lorry and hurries away from the customs station, Abul Khaizuran calls the men but receives no answer. He opens the tank to find that the men are all dead. He drives away from the city, planning to bury them in the desert, but he changes his mind and dumps the bodies by the municipality trash heap. As Abul Khaizuran drives away, he mourns his companions, wishing they had banged on the sides of the tank.
4
Men in the Sun Analysis
The fact that the Abu Qais thinks about the Tigris and Euphrates meeting to form the Shatt al-Arab river foreshadows the importance of the river in the story and the smuggling. Ustaz Selim’s inability to say prayers because he is not an imam shows the religious implications of the events occurring. The fact that the village fell into the hands of the Jews provides background information about the war. Since Abu Qais does not even own his home, it is evident that he is nearly destitute which makes him hopeless as well. Saad’s suggestion that Abu Qais move to Kuwait gives new hope and foreshadows Abu Qais’ attempt to be smuggled out of Basra. His depair and confusion are obvious when he throws himself onto the ground.
The journey is halfway over. Abul Khaizuran promises to put on a grand lunch for Assad, Marwan and Abu Qais when they arrive in Kuwait. As they approach the next customs station in Mutlaa, the men hide in the tank again, and Abul Khaizuran promises that it will take seven minutes at the most. At the customs station in Mutlaa, Abu Baqir delays Abul Khaizuran by asking him about Kawkab, a dancer that he heard about from Haj Rida. He wants Abul Khaizuran to tell him the story; in lieu of this, Abul Khaizuran agrees to take Abu Baqir to Basra to meet Kawkab the next time he travels this way. Abul Khaizuran rushes away, worried for the men because they have been locked in the tank for nearly an hour. He is angry that Abu Baqir talked so much. As he reaches the lorry and hurries away from the customs station, Abul Khaizuran calls the men but receives no answer. He opens the tank to find that the men are all dead. He drives away from the city, planning to bury them in the desert, but he changes his mind and dumps the bodies by the municipality trash heap. As Abul Khaizuran drives away, he mourns his companions, wishing they had banged on the sides of the tank.
4
Men in the Sun Analysis
The fact that the Abu Qais thinks about the Tigris and Euphrates meeting to form the Shatt al-Arab river foreshadows the importance of the river in the story and the smuggling. Ustaz Selim’s inability to say prayers because he is not an imam shows the religious implications of the events occurring. The fact that the village fell into the hands of the Jews provides background information about the war. Since Abu Qais does not even own his home, it is evident that he is nearly destitute which makes him hopeless as well. Saad’s suggestion that Abu Qais move to Kuwait gives new hope and foreshadows Abu Qais’ attempt to be smuggled out of Basra. His depair and confusion are obvious when he throws himself onto the ground. Assad’s previous experience with Abul-Abd provides background information as well as acquainting the reader with the justly earned reputation of smugglers. Assad does not want to marry Nada but he needs his uncle to loan him the money to be smuggled to Kuwait; his life is filled with unpleasant options.
Abul Khaizuran introduces himself to Marwan shortly after Marwan’s encounter with the fat smuggler, foreshadowing Abul Khaizuran’s offer. Even Abul Khaizuran confirms the bad reputation that smugglers have which is ironic since he is offering to smuggle Marwan. Marwan’s love for his father foreshadows his visit to his father and Shafiqa. The fact that his father left his mother for Shafiqa for financial securities demonstrates the extreme destitution that predominates in Basra. Abul Khaizuran’s offer to take Marwan to Kuwait for five dinars and to wait for payment until he arrives in Kuwait shows that he is kind and honest. Marwan knows of a man in his hotel who also wants to go to Kuwait; this foreshadows Assad joining the journey. Assad negotiates the deal because of his experience. Abul Khaizuran explains the plan, but Assad, Marwan and Abu Qais worry about complications which is ironic and foreshadows their deaths. The agreement to the arrangement foreshadows the journey.
with Abul-Abd provides background information as well as acquainting the reader with the justly earned reputation of smugglers. Assad does not want to marry Nada but he needs his uncle to loan him the money to be smuggled to Kuwait; his life is filled with unpleasant options.
Abul Khaizuran introduces himself to Marwan shortly after Marwan’s encounter with the fat smuggler, foreshadowing Abul Khaizuran’s offer. Even Abul Khaizuran confirms the bad reputation that smugglers have which is ironic since he is offering to smuggle Marwan. Marwan’s love for his father foreshadows his visit to his father and Shafiqa. The fact that his father left his mother for Shafiqa for financial securities demonstrates the extreme destitution that predominates in Basra. Abul Khaizuran’s offer to take Marwan to Kuwait for five dinars and to wait for payment until he arrives in Kuwait shows that he is kind and honest. Marwan knows of a man in his hotel who also wants to go to Kuwait; this foreshadows Assad joining the journey. Assad negotiates the deal because of his experience. Abul Khaizuran explains the plan, but Assad, Marwan and Abu Qais worry about complications which is ironic and foreshadows their deaths. The agreement to the arrangement foreshadows the journey.
