Nur

FUNCTION

·        A ‘doormat’ to the male characters of the novel

Simply used by them (e.g for sex as a prostitute):

Said – “I had no time for love then.”

Nur – “When you went to jail, no one grieved as much as I did” (216)

o       Said uses her to get a car despite the possible consequences

§         Said is very selfish and treats Nur inconsiderately: “’You see,’ she said with a pout, ‘you never think of me.’ ‘It’s not true,’ he said. ‘You’re very dear to me.’ ‘You’re only thinking about that poor fish.’” (194)

·        Enhances sense of place

o       In terms of how women are treated in the Egyptian culture

§         Said treats her very poorly: “’You can say things like that!’…’Sometimes I almost think the police know more about kindness than you’” (227)

§         Said only uses her at his expense: “’How terrible! Didn’t I plead with you?…You don’t love me,’ she said wanly. ‘I know that. But at least we could have lived together until you did love me!’”.

·        Overall, Nur is dispensable to the novel, the novel would not suffer without her character

DEVELOPMENT

·        Introduction of Nur

o       Shows a passage of time: “It’s Nur, remember her?” (192)

§         Portrays Nur’s insignificance to Said’s past life

·        Symbolism, the usage of darkness in the introduction of Nur: “Said looked into the darkness, but could see nothing.” (192)

o       Provides a contrast because the name ‘Nur’ in Arabic means light.

·        Nur, as a character, does not really develop

·        Her relationship with Said however, does.

o       Her lasting love for Said at first was not reciprocated back by him: “’You’re treating me like a child,’ she said angrily”  (236).

o       As time goes by, Said starts to feel love for her, as shown by Said’s longing for Nur in her absence: “Being with you, after being out there with bullets tearing after me, is like being in Paradise…you really are very good to me…” (252)

§         “He leaned towards her and pulled her down by the hand. He pressed his face against hers, his nose filling with the smell of wine and sweat. But he felt no disgust and kissed her with genuine tenderness.” (259)

Advertisement

Tags: Nur