Arab Literary Travels

Zainab's Conclusion for Final Project

In the three lives of the people that were a part of Hend's life in "Brooklyn Heights," important elements of the past are still retained by the Guest, Zuba, and Hend's father even as the time and place dramatically changes for them. They adapt to their new surroundings and lifestyles, yet continue their lives with the implementation of components of their heritage and origin in a new setting. Keeping alive key concepts from their past is important to each of these characters, and they hold on to them proudly, because it shapes their identity. The concept of identity is ambiguous, as Bedouins are not seen as Egyptians, while Hend does; ghawazi dancers are seen as gypsies, which might not be entirely true; and the Copts' distinction as Christians becomes secondary as they are sucked into the nationalistic label of being an Arab, which misguidingly has a Muslim connotation. The three characters try to overcome the vagueness of identity by holding onto their past to create a sense of solidity in themselves.

This balance between the past and present is what Hend tries so desperately to achieve in the novel. She feels that in this new environment in New York and the start of this new chapter in her life is too different of an experience and it may take away her identity. Therefore, she constantly tries to create parallels between her life in Egypt with her new life in America to find a thread of continuation that she can hold on to and not lose her identity while in transition. In Hend's case, she is unable to find this balance, since her depression keeps her mind in the past while she struggles to find an ideal niche for herself in Brooklyn. Hend avoids talking to Naguib in Arabic, yet she does not stop talking about her life in Egypt with Charlie, which shows her inability to find the correct balance between her past and present that create her identity.

This identity crisis contrasts with the Guest, Zuba, and Hend's father's strong personalities, which they create through holding on to ideas of their origin while also taking on new roles in a shifting landscape. Though modernity has changed their lifestyles, causing Copts, Bedouins, and ghawazi dancers to be marginalized by Egyptian society, the Guest, Hend's father, and Zuba make the most of their people's resulting diaspora. 

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