Module 11 Reading Assignment

Read the following pages in The Norton Anthology of World Literature, Shorter Fourth Edition, Volume 1. Answer the questions below as you read. "The Thousand and One Nights" 1084-87 The Thousand and One Nights 1088-1108 Conclusion to The Thousand and One Nights [this is a pdf found in Module 11] According to the essay on The Thousand and One Nights, what are the goals of Shahrazad for herself and for the king? How is The Thousand and One Nights unique even among frame tales? What are the brothers' names and what land does each rule? Shahzaman finds his wife lying in the arms of whom? What does he do to them? What does Shahzaman witness while Shahrayar is hunting? How does Shahzaman feel after he sees this? How does Mas'ud enter and leave the garden? When Shahzaman tells his brother what Shahzaman's wife did, what is Shahrayar's response? After he sees his own wife and slaves cheat on him, what does Shahrayar say he and his brother should do together? What creature do the brothers see that frightens them so they climb in a tree? What is this creature carrying, and what is inside of it? What does the woman from the chest insist the brothers do? What does she take from each of them? How many of these items does she have? What does this woman tell the brothers about women? What does Shahrayar do after he returns home? What does he swear to do from then on? How do the fathers and mothers of the kingdom react to his actions? What has Shahrazad studied? What does she tell her father she wants to do? In a sentence or two, summarize The Tale of the Ox and the Donkey. What is the vizier trying to teach Shahrazad with this tale? In a sentence or two, summarize The Tale of the Merchant and his Wife. What is the vizier trying to teach Shahrazad with this tale? What plan does Shahrazad form with her sister, Dinarzad? In “The Story of the Merchant and the Demon,” whom does the merchant accidentally kill? How does he kill him? What is the penalty for this accidental homicide, and who will enforce the penalty? What is about to happen when morning breaks and Shahrazad stops telling the story? What is the resulting reaction from Shahrayar? In what way is Shahrazad like the merchant? How long is the merchant given to live, and how does he spend that time? When the merchant returns to the orchard on New Year’s Day, he meets an old man leading what kind of animal on a leash? The next night, when Shahrazad begins to tell the story, the merchant is joined by another man. What animals does this man have with him? What story does the man with the deer tell the man with the black hounds? Do you see how the frame tale is going deeper, with Shahrazad telling a story about the merchant and a demon and two men with animals, and then the man with the deer telling the man with the hounds about the merchant and the demon? The growing group is joined by another old man, whom the two men with animals also tell the story of the merchant and the demon. As the third night ends, how does Shahrazad describe the story she will tell on the fourth night if the king lets her live? At the start of “The Fourth Night,” the man with the deer makes what deal with the demon? Do you see how the frame tale is going even deeper, with Shahrazad telling a story about the merchant and a demon and three men with animals, and then the man with the deer telling the demon a story about himself and other characters? Who is the deer? As a person, what evil act did the deer commit? How is this evil act similar to the evil act done toward Shahrayar by his cheating wife? Who saves the man’s son? What does the man offer her if she will save his son? What two conditions does she request of the man if she is able to save his son? Why does this woman change the evil mistress into a deer instead of another type of animal? What does the demon grant the man with the deer after hearing his story? In “The Second Old Man’s Tale,” who are the two dogs? Why were they changed into dogs? What kind of woman does the second old man marry while on his journey at sea? What is this woman actually? What do the old man’s brothers try to do to him and his new wife? How is their action similar to the evil act done toward Shahrayar by his cheating wife? What does the she-demon want to do to punish the evil brothers? What does the old man ask her to do instead? What proverb does the old man quote to the she-demon with regard to his brothers? What is the punishment given to the brothers by the she-demon? What does the Demon grant the second old man after hearing his story? The Third Old Man tells a story about his mule, who is actually what person? What did she do to him? How is this similar to the betrayal of Shahrayar by his wife? What did the third old man’s evil wife turn him into? Who changed him back into a human? After hearing this story, what does the Demon grant the third old man? In these three stories, what social status is held by the three women who use magic to save the three men? What are their positions in society or the positions held by their fathers? What do these three women have in common? What do you think Shahrazad is trying to teach Shahrayar about women with these stories? Reading Guide for the Conclusion to The Thousand and One Nights [Please print this from Folio--it is not in the Norton Anthology.] In the Conclusion to The Thousand and One Nights, please notice that some of the spellings of names are changed because this Conclusion has been translated by a different translator than the section in the Norton Anthology. For the exam, I will use the spellings of names found in The Norton Anthology. Shahrayar tells Shahrazad that after listening to her stories, his soul is changed in what way? How is his soul different now than it was when he first met Shahrazad? After hearing this pronouncement by Shahrayar, what does Shahrazad direct her sister Dinarzad (“Dunyazad” in this translation) to bring into the room for the king to see? After he kisses his small sons, what does Dinarzad ask Shahrayar? Shahrayar says he loves Shahrazad because she possesses what qualities? Shahrazad asks Shahrayar to call the vizier (spelled “wazir” in this translation) to hear the news that Shahrayar has said he will not have her killed. Why do you think she chooses this moment to ask that her father be brought to hear the news? Who decides to marry Dinarzad? Who will rule Shahzaman’s kingdom of Samarkand while he stays with his brother Shahrayar? After the wedding, what does Shahrayar order be written in a book? Notice how the transition of these tales from the oral tradition to the written tradition is made part of the work.