Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

directly to the religion?
    16. As punishment for possessing banned
materials, Ali has the write, “God is great, and I have displeased
him by running after the corrupt and immoral ways of the Godless
West.” Who is the “Godless West” and how does this illustrate Arab
feelings towards western culture?
    17. What is your reaction to Ali’s friend,
Hadi? Have you ever known anyone with similar characteristics?
    18. Sultana goes through many changes both in
body and spirit while in Cairo. Sultana says, “I felt as though I
had been electrocuted; my brain felt burned, my mouth hung open,
and I stared blankly at my brother. I had my first thought that all
– All – men are wicked.” How is this a turning point in Sultana’s
life?
    19. How does a Muslim funeral and grieving
process differ from your own?
    20. What was the purpose of “Lively Lips” and
why do you think it was so important to Sultana? Did you ever
belong to a secret club? What were the similarities or differences
between your group and Sultana’s?
    21. In what ways does the abbaya buying
experience change Sultana’s life?
    22. The events that happen to Randa, Wafa,
and Nadia again show the extreme power men have over women in Saudi
culture. What was your reaction to these punishments? Keeping in
mind cultural differences, were any of these punishments
appropriate? Why?
    23. Compare the plight of foreign women in
Saudi Arabia compared to that of Saudi women. Which group suffers
more?
    24. In what ways does Sultana break cultural
norms when she hears news of her wedding and throughout her
engagement? In what ways is her experience different from that of
most other Saudi women? Does Sultana fit a stereotype of a
“typical” bride? What was the mood in 25. Sultana’s preparation
room prior to her marriage?
    25. In what ways is Kareem different from
other Saudi men read about in the book. Why might this be? Although
Sultana did not pick her husband, would you consider her “lucky”?
Explain.
    26. Upon meeting various Americans, Sultana
decides that she likes them. “I believe this marvelous mixture of
cultures has brought civilization closer to reality than any other
culture in history.” What do you think Sultana means by this
statement? Do you agree with her analysis?
    27. How does Noorah’s own bitterness from
marriage affect Sultana? Does this fit with common “mother-in-law”
stereotypes? How?
    28. Sultana’s pregnancy occurs at a time of
strife in her marriage. How does this pregnancy alter both her and
Kareem’s future together? In what ways is the birth process similar
and different from that of your own culture?
    29. How do the laws and customs of Saudi
Arabia ensure the constant unequal treatment of women?
    30. What do many Arab women believe about
Western women? What leads to these assumptions? Given what Arab
women have been told, are they justified in their opinions? How do
you think this affects the relationship between Arab nations and
Western countries?
    31. The “Woman’s Room” is a form of extreme
punishment for women who are deemed to have tarnished a family’s
honor. Do you believe that this particular punishment is more or
less severe than the others seen throughout the book? Explain.
    32. What forces have lead to the situation of
male dominance in Saudi culture? Are there any ways in which women
benefit from such a situation? Explain.
    33. How does Sultana’s escape from Saudi
Arabia both strengthen and weaken her marriage? Do you agree with
Sultana’s actions?
    34. What is the disappointment of the Great
White Hope? How does this situation backfire for Saudi women? In
what ways does this lead to future tensions between the U.S. and
Saudi Arabia?
    Princess Reading Guide and Discussion
Questions prepared by:
    Joelle Broberg, Educational Consultant
     

 
    Appendix A—The Koran on Women
    The Koran is the holy book of Islam. Composed
of 114 Suras, or chapters, this book sets forth acceptable conduct
for people of the Muslim faith. Muslims believe that the Koran is
the word of God as revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet
Mohammed. Mohammed’s visions came to him while in the cities of
Makkah and Madinah, which are located in the country that we know
today as Saudi Arabia. Makkah was the birthplace of Mohammed;
Madinah holds the tomb of the Prophet. As a result, these are the
two holiest cities to Muslims; infidels or “nonbelievers” are not
allowed within the city limits. Few Westerners realize the