Genre
Historical
Setting and Context
The Middle East in the 14th century.
Narrator and Point of View
The book is narrated by Ibn Fattouma in the first person.
Tone and Mood
The tone is philosophical; the mood is inquisitive.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Ibn Fattouma is the protagonist; corruption is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the book occurs when Ibn Fattouma flees from the Land of Islam in the search for perfection.
Climax
The climax of the book is reached when Ibn Fattouma falls in love with Halima, but she is married off to a more powerful man.
Foreshadowing
The inconclusive ending of the novel is foreshadowed by its allegorical nature.
Understatement
The role of love is understated throughout the book.
Allusions
The book alludes to the role of individual freedom in a controlled society.
Imagery
The imagery of vivid land is present in the book.
Paradox
The fact that Ibn Fattouma is critical of his homeland, the Land of Islam, yet the real-life Ibn Battuta idealized Islam is an example of paradox in the book.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Ibn Fattouma's restricted love is personified through the shackles of Arousa.
