This assignment consists of some questions on the first three cycles of stories in the Nights (Nights 1-19).
In the first cycle of tales narrated by Shahrazad (“The merchant and the jinni,” Nights 1-3, pp. 10-19), three old men tell their stories to a jinni. Describe three common themes in all three of the stories of the three old men. Give explicit references from each story for each theme. (Answer should be between 150 and 250 words long.) (15 pts)
Parts of the tale of the first old man in the first cycle bear some resemblance to the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar in the Book of Genesis. What are the similarities between the two stories? (Answer should be at least 100 words long.) (6 pts)
The second cycle, “The fisherman and the‘ifrit,” is told in Nights 3-9 (pp. 19-50). Where does the fisherman find the ‘ifrit? How did the ‘ifrit end up there? The ‘ifrit eventually guides the fisherman to a lake. What is special about the lake? Who has turned it this way? Why? Describe the lover of this character and how he treats her. (7 pts)
In the cycle of stories covered in Nights 9-19 (The porter and the three ladies), three dervishes tell their stories in the house of the three ladies. What do the three men have in common? How does each of them sustain his physical blemish or injury? (7 pts)
