In chapter one, we were given bits and pieces of clues about the novel being set in Cairo and it wasn’t justified but in chapter two there is some evidence about the novel being set in Cairo. Said walks up “Jabal Road” towards the “Muqattam hill” entering the “Darrasa quarter” (p162). The use of these names of places in Cairo gives local authenticity for the novel. Also seeing that he visits the Sheikh tells us about the religion and the culture of the current place which is very similar to Egypt’s favored religion and culture. Throughout chapter two, the protagonist Said spends all of his time in the Sheikh’s house which is described as “at the left corner of the big open courtyard stood a tall palm tree with a crooked top; to the right an entrance corridor led by an open door – in this strange house no door was ever closed – to a single room.” (p162) This description can be seen as a foreshadow of Said often coming to the this house in times of desperation because it says “in this strange house no door was ever closed”.
Tags: Cairo, place, Sheikh's house
