Think you’ve got your head wrapped around A Border Passage? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. Why does Ahmed say that her life doesn't really begin until things start falling apart?
Because she likes chaos
Because it sets her on the path that leads to her present life
Because it builds her character
Because she has to be shaken out of her boredom first
Q. What reason does Ahmed give for digging into the origins of Arab identity?
She feels it's a false construct for her ethnic identity
She wants to uncover her family's origins
She wants to learn more about Islam
She's trying to escape an inconvenient label
Q. Why doesn't Ahmed want to be like her mother?
She just doesn't get along with her
She wants to escape Egypt and live in Europe
She fears living a life with no profession
No girl wants to be like her mother, and Ahmed is no different
Q. Why does Ahmed think it's important for her to write her memoirs?
Her experience as a Muslim woman and immigrant is unique and timely
She has a lot of emotional baggage about the past
She wants others to learn about her family
She wants people to know the truth about the British colonial rule of Egypt
Q. How does Ahmed characterize "women's Islam"?
Pious and mosque-centered
Secluded and misogynistic
Spiritual and peaceful
Text-based and dogmatic