Ali and Nino

Ali and Nino

REES 220: Societies and Cultures of Eurasia

Chapter Themes

Chapter 1

·  Scene: (set the scene for the tale; broad historical/geographical review of the region; review the background to the author)

·  East vs. West; the Caucasus as a crossroads between/intersection cultures. What happens at this intersection (blending/mixing/conflict). Examples: concepts of justice; knowledge (books vs. rugs; uniforms vs. weapons) medicine vs. superstition.

·  How do we define “culture” or “society”? What are some of the differences within/among cultures? What are the cultures/societies we are referring to in Eurasia (Slavic, Ottoman, Central Asian, Mongol, Asian, European).

Chapter 2

·  (brief history of Azerbaijan/region)

·  Structure of society (19th, early 20th c) i.e. servants, eunuchs

·  Cultural differences: meals, women’s dress

·  How east views west and vice-versa (mutual prejudice)

·  View of war/conflict (treatment of POWs)

·  Role of faith (different gods) p.24

·  Maiden’s Tower; significance; architectural memorials-why?

·  War, sacrifice, establishment, religion, political

·  Who are the heroes in society? What virtues do they celebrate?

·  Views of justice. Where do laws come from? Islamic vs. Western

·  Sharia law-what is it? (p.25) foundations? Advantages?

·  Nomadic cultures; those located at intersection. Review the changing mosaic of peoples who have moved/lived in these regions. Can we draw any general conclusions?

·  Climate: how does harsh climate (i.e. desert/ice) change how people structure their society?

Chapter 3

·  Religion (Islam vs Orthodox) p.31
How to worship
Role of state with regard to religion
Practice of the faith (i.e.charity)

·  Role of education; what roles does it play in different cultures?
What is the end/purpose of education in various cultures? Grad requirements?

·  History: where is the truth? Who gets to write? Purpose of history (p. 29)

·  Role of women/dress (cultural vs. religious aspects).

·  The essence of the Islamic grievance against the west. 1918? Modernity? Women?

Chapter 4

·  Role of natural resource wealth (curse or blessing)?

·  Fate; how viewed in different cultures?

·  Entertainment; how young people amuse themselves (music/dance/food-drink)

·  Dating

Chapter 5

·  Nagorno-Karabakh) ethnic conflicts in the region.

·  Sovereignty vs borders

·  Poetry contest (American idol) Examples of poetry.

·  Role of nature in modern society

·  Religious observations (asceticism) p.45

·  Future vs. past; conservative vs. liberal; should a culture look to the future or past for direction?

Chapter 6: Feasting & Hospitality

·  Cultural patterns (manners over faith)

·  Differences in perceptions of romantic love

·  Desert vs. forest people

How does environment shape cultural perspective?
modern vs. traditional/urban vs. agric.

·  Children in interfaith marriage; possible to bridge?

Chapter 7: Marriage customs

·  Male-female duties

·  Role of sex

·  1914 WWI begins
How is war viewed? (glory, fame, warrior ethos, men)

What is the role of media?; alliances; whom do you fight for? Rationale? Does it matter?

·  How do international events affect the personal lives of characters?

Chapter 8: War

·  Modern war vs. traditional understanding of war (blood feud)

·  Inherent confusion of war

·  The religious element in war (our just cause)

·  Psychological aspects of war; why men want to fight (p. 67)

·  Metaphor with camels and train; tradition vs. progress. East vs. West

Chapter 9: War cont…

·  War in history; prevalence. (p. 71) essence of war

·  Confusion, suspicion, profit, delusions

·  Family ties vs. state (p. 72)

·  Dreams of war/conquest vs. grim reality.

·  p.74 modern combat; why war remains appealing (blood lust; excitement etc…)

Chapter 10: Arts as Cultural Expression

·  Passion play of holy Hussein

What is its meaning? Sacrifice vs. Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin
What does theater/art/entertainment say about a culture? (music/TV)

·  Speech of Nacharayan (p. 80)

How Caucasus countries view each other; why?

Trying to remain indep between 2 large powers

Geopolitical considerations Whose side are we on?

Chapter 11: Fundamentalism

·  Seyd Mustafa p. 85

·  What are the roots of fundamentalism? Why do some follow? The appeal? What are the antidotes? Jonestown? Why are some more prone to it?

·  How do women fare in fundamentalist societies?

·  Shia-Sunni divisions; review the roots of the split.

·  WWI alliances; the collapse of the Ottoman empire (1918)

Chapter 12: Gender Roles

·  Male-Female Relations/roles

·  Marriage ritual

Chapter 13

·  Marriage-maker

·  Role of Armenian intermediary (genocide)

Chapter 14: Hospitality in the Caucasus

·  Georgian customs/politics (pg. 111-113)

·  Literature from the region

Chapter 15

·  Western view of Islam (Nino’s view of Ali)

Forgiveness (p. 115) does it exist;

Story of St. David (p. 119)

·  Griboyedov (his bio), examples of his work.

Problems w/ intercultural marriage

·  Grand Duke N. his story

Background to his dismissal (Rasputin).

Chapter 16

·  Russia pre-revolution/WWI

·  Strategies of those living in Baku 1916-17; whom to side with.

·  War as extension of economics

·  Disciple of bab

Chapter 17

·  Kidnapping/chase scene; human trafficking

·  Modernity vs. tradition; horse vs. car

·  Why Ali fails to kill Nino

Chapter 18

·  Escaping “justice” corruption/bribery

·  Blood feud “kanly”

·  Story of Andalal, Imam Shamil

Which story more uplifting? What do these tales illustrate?

·  Concept of jihad/just cause

Chapter 19

·  Role of agriculture in arid climate; role of nature

·  Abreks; the question of evil; early suicide bombers.

·  What prompts such hatred? (p. 147) injustice.

·  Ali’s deal with hashish; drug use in the region. Drug trade today.

Chapter 20

·  Reconciliation with Nino. Her story. Decision to marry.

·  Visits from fathers.

·  How the villagers treat the couple. Honor.

·  Why they decide to leave. 1917 revolution; collapse of society.

Chapter 21

·  Confusion of revolution; competing loyalties; power vacuum.

·  Creation of Caucasus republic; weak ties between Azeris and Armenians.

·  Armenians join Russians against Azeri

Chapter 22: Asia vs. Europe (p. 170-71)

·  Shifting borders via warfare

·  Material vs. Spiritual world

·  Returning to Persia; how portrayed? Backwards.

·  Why do some cultures advance? Is this the right question?

·  Today-how portrayed (Luttwak Harper’s-July 07)

Chapter 23

·  Caravan w/ dead bodies on their way to Karbala; why?

·  Brief history of Iran/Persia

·  Dervish-background

·  Dust-man Islamic spirituality

·  Harem; how to treat women; role of eunuchs

·  Superstitions-pregnancy

·  Afghan tape-women

Chapter 24

·  The bazaar; the role of trade. Commerce within Islam.

·  Hafis love poem

·  Nino in Persia; gilded cage; Persian view of sex (p. 183) role of women

·  p.185 how Persians view themselves p.186 toilet ritual

·  Soldier vs. poet; the role of humiliation/weakness

·  Persia as nation of weaklings; Luttwak

·  Modernity vs. dreaming of the past.

Chapter 25

·  The confusion of the geo-pol situation in 1918-20; trying to figure out who is in control.

·  Turks will help liberate Azerbaijan from Russians?

·  Nino continues to torment eunuch.

·  Competing loyalties; some want the Turks (Sunni) but some would rather that their muslim brothers fail.

·  The role of the press in enflaming passions (Arlsan Aga)

·  The role of fanatical religion in providing answers (Seyd) the feast of Moharram.

·  Role/value to suffering.

Chapter 26

·  Curing eunuch’s toothache

·  Nino’s reaction to the feast of Moharram (p. 201)

·  Ali’s decision/description to join the feast.

·  Hand of Fatima-describe.

·  Nino’s reaction to Ali’s participation. Does she understand?

Chapter 27

·  Enver Bey-Baku “liberation” why did it fail?

·  Nino-house-restore

·  (p. 212) which is stronger, nationalism or religious sympathies? Separation of church/state.

·  Short-lived Turkish occupation and the Europeans move in. Ali’s new position

Chapter 28

·  European customs in eastern land; Ali’s culture shock. How do Europeans treat women?

·  Decision not to go to France

Chapter 29

·  The birth of their child.

·  The independent Azerbaijan and return of the Russians.

·  Separation of Ali and Nino. Is Nino going to a safe place? Why doesn’t Ali want to go with her?

·  The last fight; on the bridge/death

·  What happens to Azerbaijan next?

Ali and Nino

REES 220: Societies and Cultures of Eurasia

In-Class Exercise

Names of all Students in the Group:

Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

Bailey Hall |1440 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 320 | Lawrence KS 66045 | (785) 864-4236 | crees.ku.edu

Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

Bailey Hall |1440 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 320 | Lawrence KS 66045 | (785) 864-4236 | crees.ku.edu

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Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

Bailey Hall |1440 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 320 | Lawrence KS 66045 | (785) 864-4236 | crees.ku.edu

1. Poll the group. Did you like the book? Why or why not?

2. While the book is essentially a love story, there are many descriptions of ordinary life in the Caucasus, the customs and rituals of its inhabitants, and accounts of real historical events. Of these, pick out 2 or 3 elements that you think are still especially relevant for those living in the Caucasus. Be prepared to argue your case.

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3. There are a number of themes that can be identified in Ali and Nino, including those identified below. Pick out one or two that you see as the most important in the book, and find passages from the book that support this theme. Are there other themes missing from the list below? Be prepared to make your case. East‐West dialogues; Cultural clash(es); Tradition and modernity; Religion and identity; Love and affection; Youth and coming of age; Multilingualism and Multiculturalism

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Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

Bailey Hall |1440 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 320 | Lawrence KS 66045 | (785) 864-4236 | crees.ku.edu