Essay Questions

How does Suleiman get ready to become a man in In the Country of Men?

Suleiman, who is the protagonist and the narrator of the novel, was a nine years old child who lived a very comfortable life in his childhood. Later, this life changes for him as he sees what becomes of those who oppose the authorities such as Ustath Rashid who was executed due to this issue. When Suleiman gets older to twenty-four years old, he recalls his early childhood the thing which affects his current life. When he was at the age of nine, Suleiman had a lot of terrifying questions in his mind as he moved to become an adult without being ready for that, the thing which played an important role in making him a real man. Then he finds himself in the adult world with terror and guilt without any comfort.

Does Hisham Matar in his novel consider women as weak and having no role in the society of Libya?

In his novel, Matar tries to reveal how women had no influence on power; however, this doesn't mean that the author considers women powerless in Libya. Suleiman witnesses several actions by women that were effective in society but still women were considered inferior by men.

How does treachery affect the lives of the characters in the novel?

Suleiman's family neighbor, Jafer and his wife Um Masoud, who were nothing but spies for Gaddafi's government, played an important role in destroying the lives of Suleiman and his father and mother. Suleiman was obliged to ask for his neighbor's whom he did not that was the reason behind the death of his father and his exile from his country, Libya.

What does the title of the novel suggest by including only men?

By including only men in the title of his novel, Matar refers to the male-dominating society that prevailed at that time of Gaddafi. This also indicates to the oppression and injustice that were imposed on women.