Week 6

The class discussion on Zayni Barakat seemed to focus on the use of spies mostly, and the use of historical fiction as a political tool. Though I do not completely understand the comparison, the historical points in the book are still important and the themes are apparent. As I mentioned in class, I thought the control of heralds and therefore information to manipulate the masses was important, still an issue today with the objectivity of our journalists. The use of fear to control the population and wariness of students (or any intellectuals) by the authorities seems to be a common theme in history, students usually seem to be targeted as dissenters and disappearances have continuously been used by authoritarian regimes to cause confusion and submission (like in the ‘dirty war’ in Argentina). The contradictory and complex character of Zayni Barakat seemed to reflect typical themes of strong figures in history, as his true motives are questionable, he was hired to be muhtasib because he was an honorable man but the position gave men great opportunity to profit, and he easily switched loyalties when the Ottomans took over. Al-Ghitani gave a clear description of Egyptian society throughout the book, mentioning such things as the increase of power with closer proximity to the sultan, the dislike of the foreign Mamluks by Egyptians and the diversity of students in Cairo among other things.