three mothers, three daughters study questions

Remember--these are just a guide! You may come up with your own questions as well as you are reading the book.

What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of using oral histories as primary sources? How may we legitimately approach the subjects, the interviewers, and the questions/answers as documentation of historical events?

What are the issues of generational conflict and cooperation that emerge in the life histories and stories of these three mothers and their daughters? How do their life experiences reflect Palestinian concerns? What are the issues facing them as women, as wives, mothers, daughters, as Palestinians, as people living under occupation?

How do the interviewers position themselves in the book? What are their strategies for getting their subjects to open up? What are their weaknesses and strengths as interviewers?

rai study questions

Remember, these questions are just a guide.

How does Rai function as a social protest movement? Is Rai experienced differently by men and women? If so, how?

How has Rai influenced Algerian and Algerian expatriot politics, social norms, sexuality, and financial life? Why is there opposition to Rai? How is that opposition met?

From which traditions does Rai gather its influences? What is the meaning of "rai" as a form of musical expression?

How do you explain the international success of Rai? Is it merely a "World Music" fad, or is there more to its success?

heilman study questions

These are just to get your started, not the only questions that may come up while reading this book.

What are the identities that Haredim ("Ultra-Orthodox" Jews in Israel) adhere to? How do they view their positions in their country, neighborhoods, families, and the universe? How do they view history?

What are the gender roles of men and women (and girls and boys) as they pass through various stages in their lives? What are the ideals and what happens when people transgress those ideals?

How do the Haredim position themselves as moral guardians, and how do they view/control/contest space and place in Jerusalem and Israel?

How do the Haredim relate to non-Haredi populations they encounter? How do they relate with other Haredi groups different from their own?

How is daily life negotiated by the Haredim? How do Haredi people experience the life cycle?