discussion POINTS - frankenstein in baghdad by ahmed saadawi

1. What did you think of the Iraqi Frankenstein and its mission? What is the author trying to say with this character?

2. Why was the Whatsitsname living in a constant state of loss and confusion? How does that affect his mission?

3. The Whatsitsname gets together a team of assistants that help him through his mission, The Magician – الساحر, The Sophist – السفسطائي, The Enemy – العدو.

What do you think each of these 3 characters represent?

4. In addition to his assistants, different groups of followers congregate around the Whatsitsname with different beliefs and views about him; The Young Madman – المجنون الصغير, The Old Madman – المجنون الكبير, The Eldest Madman – المجنون الأكبر.

Why did the Whatsitsname give them these names? Did any of them have the true idea about him? What do you think these characters represent?

5. Do you think the Whatsitsname loses his way on his mission? When? Why?

6. What do you make of Elishva’s relationship with the painting of Saint George? How do you think she is able to hear the Saint speaking back to her?

7. What do you think the Department of Tracking and Pursuit represents? Why do you think the book includes so many references to magic, astrology, etc?

8. Throughout the book there are multiple instances of Iraqis teaming up and then falling apart to violence and inner fighting (the Whatsitsname followers, the astrologers). What do you think Saadawi is saying with this recurrence?

9. What was the role of the Americans in the story?

10. What is your impression of US-occupied Baghdad? Does it align with the picture Saadawi paints of the city? Has this book changed your perception in anyway?

11. What was the reason behind Mahmoud Al Sawadi’s fascination by Ali Baher Al Saidi?

12. What did you think of Nawal Al Wazir’s character? What was her role in this story?

13. Through the diverse cast of characters in the book, many had lots to lose from the war and others had lots to gain. Who do you think was losing and who was gaining?

14. Did you find the people in the novel acting in a nonchalant manner about all the violence happening around them? Why do you think that is?

15. Saadawi thinks of the 1970s as the golden age of modern Iraq. How do you think he feels about the condition his country is in? What feelings is he communicating through this novel? Sorrow? Rage? Nonchalance?

16. The book is loaded with religious imagery and symbolism, particularly in the painting of Saint George in Elishva’s house and the decorations on Hadi’s wall. What do you think is the writer trying to convey by including these symbols?

17. How does book bode as an adaptation of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein? Were there many parallels between the original monster and its reincarnation?

18. What language did you read the book in? How do you like the author’s style?

A. “Of course Umm Salim and the other old women didn’t believe this story, but in quick succession they all said, “Bless the Prophet and the Prophet’s family.” The story sent shivers down their spines. That spiteful woman had won people over with her story. It didn’t matter that it was made up; it was moving…”

B. "He believed that emotions changed memories, that when you lost the emotion associated with a particular event, you lost an important part of the event.”

C. "…all the security incidents and the tragedies we’re seeing stem from one thing—fear. The people on the bridge died because they were frightened of dying. Every day we’re dying from the same fear of dying.”

D. “There are no innocents who are completely innocent or criminals who are completely criminal.”