Princess+Study+Guides


 * Return to Princess **

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**Introduction** 1. In the introduction to //Princess,// Sultana tells the reader that, “It is wrong, however, to blame our Muslim faith for the lowly position of women in our society.” Why do you think both the author and Princess Sultana make repeated assertions about the poor treatment of women not being a result of Islam? 2. In what ways, if any, did the historical foundation of Saudi Arabia and the growth of the Al Saud family help form Saudi society and culture?

1. Who is Ali? Why does Ali slap his sister, Sultana, to the ground? (p. 25) 2. Who is Omar? Why does he have authority in the household? (p. 25) 3. Where were Omar and Ali taking Sultana? Why? (p. 25) 4. Why was Sultana forbidden to respond to Ali's accusations? (p. 26) 5. What was Sultana's punishment? Why? (p. 26) 6. Why did Ali place a guard in front of Sultana's room? (p. 26) 7. Describe the villa/compound where Sultana's family lived. (p. 27-28) 8. Where did the family servants/slaves live? (p. 28) 9. Explain how the family's slave population increased every year. (p. 29) 10. How did the heir to the throne, Sa'ud, bring danger to the new government? (p. 29) 11. Who is Prince Faisal? Explain his unpopular ideas about reform in Saudi Arabia. (p. 31-32) 12. Why did Prince Mohammed want to physically overthrow his own brother, King Sa'ud, and with whom did he want to replace the king? What was Prince Faisal's reaction to the idea? (p. 31-32) 13. In what ways did Sultana's/Saudi culture impact her interactions with her family?
 * Chapter 1: Childhood**

1. What did Sultana's mother manage to do despite her father's resistance? (p. 35) 2. In what were Sultana's older sisters schooled? Who was their teacher? For how long were they schooled? (p. 35) 3. What was Sultana's father's reaction when the teacher asked him to expand the girls' education to include science, history, and math? (p. 35) 4. What is Kutab? (p. 36) 5. What was so special about Sultana's favorite sister, Sara? (p. 36) 6. Why would no one marry the teacher? (p. 36) 7. Who does Sultana credit for the education of Saudi women? Why? (p. 37) 8. Describe the city of Riyadh. (p. 38-39) 9. Why did the family purchase everything in fours? 10. When Ali was only ten years old, what extravagant gift did he recieve? (p. 39) 11. Why did Sultana destroy Ali's watch? (p. 40) 12. Why was Sultana the most pampered of the daughters? (p. 40) 13. How did Sultana try to seek her father's attention? (p. 40) 14. What did Sultana and her sisters find? (p. 41) 15. Who is Basem? What does "Basem" mean in Arabic? What did Ali do with the puppy? (p. 43)
 * Chapter 2: Family**

**Chapter 3: Sara** 1. Who is Sultana's favorite sister? (p. 43) 2. How many siblings did Sultana have? (p. 43) 3. When did Sara begin veiling? (p. 43) 4. What does the veil symbolize? (p. 43) 5. What happened to Sultana and Sara's relationship? (p. 43) 6. Describe Sara's physical appearance. (p. 43) 7. Why has Sara's great beauty become a curse? (p. 43) 8. What was Sara's dream? (p. 44) 9. Describe Sara's future husband. (p. 44) 10. How does Sara react to the news of her impending marriage? (p. 44-45) 11. How does Sara's father punish Sara and her family for her reaction? (p. 45-46) 12. How does Sultana demonstrate her position as the "difficult child"? (p. 46) 13. Describe the //halawa// ceremony, performed by Sara's aunts before her marriage. (p. 47) 14. How does Father ensure that Sara will be calm on her wedding day? (p. 48) 15. Describe the wedding ceremony. (p. 48-49) 16. Why do men sneak into the women's wedding party? (p. 49) 17. Sultana continues, "It suddenly became apparent to me that happiness is realized only in the face of unhappiness, for I never knew we were so unhappy until Sara's unhappiness stared me in the face." What are the sources of Sara's unhappiness? 18. Sultana and Sara's mother expresses sorrow for Sara's situation upon the announcement of Sara's marriage yet is not a position to change her daughter's future. How does their mother try to juggle her role of trying to comfort her daughter while trying to prepare her for the inevitable? Does her mother realistically have any other choices? 19. What does Sara hope to have her father understand by using the quote, "Victory breeds hatred, for only the conquered are unhappy"? How can this quote be applied beyond Sara to all of Saudi society for both men and women?

**Chapter 4 ("Divorce")** 1. Why did Father forbid Sultana and her mother from visiting Sara? (p. 53) 2. Sara attempts suicide five weeks after her marriage; how does the family find out about it? (p. 54) 3. Why does Sultana feel comfortable with the American male pilots? (p. 55-56) 4. How had Sara attempted to take her life? (p. 56) 5. Describe the confrontation between Mother and Sara's mother-in-law. (p. 56-57) 6. Describe Sara's husband's abusive tactics. How did her family react? (p. 57-58) 7. Although Sara's husband granted her a divorce, what does their Koran (Bible) say about divorce? (p. 58) 8. What are Sara's prospects of remarrying? What is the process? (p. 59-60)

**Chapter 5 ("Ali")** 1. What was Nura able to convince Father to do? Why? (p. 61) 2. Of all his daughters, why was Father pleased with Nura? (p. 61) 3. Why was Father displeased with the outcome of Sara's marriage? (p. 61) 4. Father makes Ali go on the trip as Sultana's chaperone. What was her response? (p. 61-62) 5. What were the "treasures" Sultana found in Ali's room? (p. 63) 6. What did Sultana eventually do with these "treasures"? What did she hope to accomplish by doing so? (p. 64) 7. Who were the //mutawas//? (p. 65) 8. Why didn't the //mutawas// summon the police? (p. 67) 9. What was Ali's eventual punishment for his "treasures"? (p. 68-69) 10. All her life Sultana longed for her Father's affection. When he finally hugs her, why does this sadden her? (p. 69) 11. "One sin so outweighed the other that they ended up canceling each other out." To what "sin" is Sultana referring? (p. 70)

**Chapter 6** 1. Why did Ali look at Sultana differently? (p. 71) 2. How many limousines were needed to transport the family to the airport? (p. 71) 3. Describe the travelers. (p. 71) 4. Who was Hadi and what was his viewpoint about women? (p. 71) 5. Why did Sara remove her veil at this point? (p. 72) 6. What did Ali ask to do and how did she respond to his request? (p. 72) 7. Name the three holiest places in Islam? (p. 72) 8. Describe the city of Makkah. (p. 72-73) 9. The foundations of the Muslim religious life are five ritual obligations: (p. 73) 10. Describe the city of Medinah. (p. 73) 11. Why is the city of Jerusalem considered to be a holy place? (p. 73) 12. Why do Muslims weep bitter tears at the mention of Jerusalem? (p. 73) 13. Why is Cairo considered to be the crowning glory of a Muslim's self-esteem? (p. 73) 14. How old was Sultana at this moment in the book? (p. 75) 15. How does the Saudi government ensure that its citizens are taken care of? (p. 76) 16. What did Sara and Sultana witness Ali and Hadi doing? (p. 77) 17. How did Ali and Hadi find their victim? (p. 78) 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 in Sultana's life? (p. 78)

**Chapter 8 ("Girlfriends")** 1. How has the household changed since the death of Mother? (p. 89) 2. Describe Randa. How is she accepted into the family? (p. 89) 3. What was Randa's philosophy? What was Sultana's philosophy? (p. 90) 4. What ritual did Randa have to follow (relative to what her husband expected of her)? (p. 90) 5. What was the "Lively Lips" club? What was their "first goal"? (p. 91) 6. Describe Nadia's family. (p. 91-92) 7. Describe Wafa's family. (p. 92-93) 8. Why has Sultana hidden her "first blood" from Father? Describe the process of her purchase. (p. 93-94) 9. Describe Sultana's veiling. How does the headdress of the Muslim women differ from that of the bedouin women? (p. 95) 10. What did Nadia and Wafa call "fun" (p. 98-99) 11. Describe the family lives of Nadia and Wafa after they were arrested. (p. 100) Nadia - Wafa - 12. What was Randa's and Sultana's punishment from Father after he found out their involvement with Wafa and Nadia? (p. 101-102)

**Chapter 9** 1. How did the Filipino maid rouse Sultana's interest in life? (p. 103) 2. Who is Marci? (p. 103) 3. What were Marci's life ambitions? (p. 103-104) 4. What happened to Marci's brother? (p. 104) 5. How did this incident impede on Marci's ambitions to become a nurse? (p. 104) 6. How were the women Third World countries treated in Saudi Arabia? (p. 105) 7. Who is Madeline? (p. 105) 8. Describe how Marci finally tracked down her friend Madeline. (p. 110) 9. Describe the deploring conditions Madeline had to live in? (p. 113) 10. What happened to Madeline while she was working as a servant? (p. 117) 11. Why wouldn't anyone (other servants, police, etc.) help her? (p. 117) 12. What happened every time Madeline would try to escape? (p. 117) 13. Why wouldn't the Philippine government help Madeline? (p. 118) 14. When did Madeline finally go home? (p. 118) 15. At the end of Chapter 9, what was revealed about Sultana's future plans? (p. 120)

**Chapter 11 ("Kareem")** 1. Who is Kareem and why is Sultana excited to meet him (describe the significance of this non-traditional meeting)? (p. 129) 2. What are Saudi women compared to in regard to their choice of clothing hidden under the //abaayas//? (p. 130) 3. Explain why Sultana begins to feel insecure, even though she was excited to meet her husband. (p. 130) 4. Where did Sultana go shopping to purchase a new wardrobe? (p. 131) 5. Describe Sultana's reaction when she first meets Kareem? (132) 6. Why was Kareem's mother opposed to the wedding? (p. 133) 7. Describe Kareem's feelings toward Sultana, does he agree with mother? (p. 133) 8. What puzzling subject does Kareem ask of Sultana? (p. 134) 9. Why is Sultana spared this horrific ritual of circumcision? (p. 137)

**Chapter 12 ("The Wedding")** 1. Why is Sultana's wedding dress considered scandalous? (p. 143) 2. Describe Sultana's wedding, particularly the traditional Saudi ceremony. (p. 144) 3. Describe Sultana's honeymoon and explain why she is happy with her new husband. (p. 146-147) 4. How old is Sultana when she is married? (p. 147) 5. According to Sultana, why do many Arabs enjoy Los Angeles? (p. 147) 6. Where will Kareem and Sultana live until their new home is built? (p. 148)

**Chapter 13 ("Married Life")** 1. In Arab lands, age brings great satisfaction for __; for honor is bestowed upon those who fulfill their productive__ with many __and therefore ensure the continued__ of the family name. (p. 151) 2. Who is Noorah? (p. 151) 3. What type of tension must women of childbearing age undergo? (p. 151) 4. Why does Noorah consult a sorcerer from Ethiopia? (p. 152) 5. Why is Noorah jealous of the Lebanese woman? (p. 152) 6. When Noorah's husband hears of Noorah's schemes, with what does he threaten her? (p. 153) 7. Who is Noorah's new target? (p. 153) 8. How does Noorah's own bitterness from marriage affect Sultana? Does this fit with common "mother-in-law" stereotypes? How? 9. Who is Muneer? (p. 154) 10. Why was Muneer's behavior a concern for the King and his family? (p. 155) 11. Why was alcohol banned in Saudi Arabia? (p. 155) 12. What type of business did Muneer and his cousins run? (p. 156) 13. How does Kareem react to Sultana's and his mother's brawl? (p. 157) 14. How does Sultana retaliate against Noorah's threats? (p. 159) 15. How does Noorah make peace with Sultana? (p. 161) 16. What does Sultana discover at the end of Chapter 13? (p. 163) 17. Why does Sultana decide to have an abortion? (p. 163) 18. How does Kareem react to the news? (p. 163)

**Chapter 14 ("Birth")** 1. How many people will aid in Sultana's delivery? (p. 166) 2. Who moved in to help Sultana? (p. 167) 3. Who is Asad? (p. 167) 4. With whom does Asad fall in love? (p. 168) 5. Who is Noorah against Asad's decision? (p. 170) 6. What do Kareem and Sultana have? (p. 173) 7. Describe the gifts the doctor is awarded from Kareem? (p. 173) 8. 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?

**Chapter 15 ("Dark Secrets")** 1. How old was Sultana when she delivered her first child? (p. 176) 2. What crime did the young girl commit in Room 212? (p. 178) 3. What was the little girl's punishment? (p. 178) 4. What did the young girl deliver and what is the fate of the child? (p. 181) 5. What is the young girl's name? (p. 181) 6. Describe the young girl's version of what really happened? (p. 182) 7. What is flogging? (p. 184) 8. Why couldn't Sultana intervene on behalf of Amal? (p. 185)

**Chapter 18** 1. How many children did Sultana have? (p. 211) 2. Describe briefly Sultana's daily routine? (p. 212-213) 3. With what was Sultana diagnosed? (p. 214) 4. What is Kareem's shocking news for Sultana? (p. 216) 5. How does Sultana react to the news? (p. 216) 6. Why does Kareem decide to take on a second wife? (p. 217) 7. How many years were Kareem and Sultana married for? (p. 217)

**Chapter 19** 1. Describe Sultana's plan (and execution) to escape/leave Kareem. (p. 219-220) 2. Why couldn't Sultana tell her sisters of her plan? (p. 220) 3. Who did Sultana inform about her plans? (p. 220) 4. Where did she tell her she was going? (p. 220) 5. What does Sultana tell the American pilot, why her travel plans had changed? (p. 221) 6. What does Sultana tell the headmaster of the British summer camp about why her travel plans had changed? (p. 221) 7. After leaving Dubai, where were Sultana and the children going? (p. 222) 8. Who is Widad? (p. 223) 9. Why did Widad and her husband leave their home country of Lebanon? (p. 224) 10. What happened to Widad's daughter? (p. 225) 11. Why did Widad return to Lebanon after her daughter's disappearance? (p. 225) 12. Why did Widad have to return to Saudi Arabia? (p. 225) 13. What had really happened to Widad's daughter? (p. 225-226) 14. When Widad's daughter was returned, what was she given as a "thank you" gesture? (p. 226) 15. How much money did Sultana remove from her son's Swiss bank account? (p. 227) 16. What city did Sultana and the children finally settle in? (p. 227) 17. What did Sultana take from a Frankfurt bank? (p. 228) 18. What did Sultana tell the children about why they had to leave Riyadh? (p. 229) 19. How long has it been since Sultana and the children "escaped"? (p. 230) 20. Where did Sultana and the children finally meet Kareem? (p. 230) 21. Why did Sultana hire German bodyguards? (p. 230) 22. Describe Sultana's compromise with Kareem. (p. 230) 23. Do Sultana and the children return to Saudi Arabia? Why or why not? (p. 230)