Hidden Girl
By: Nat Smith
Internal Characterization
- During this book Hall doesn't have the opportunity to express her feelings to anyone because no one was willing to listen. The mom never referred to her by her real name. She called her stupid girl or the slave. Since, Shyima couldn't convey her feelings, she held them on all inside.
Conflict #1: Self vs. Self
When Shyima had to take the twins to the pool she didn't really had that nice of clothes to wear.They were always dirty. This made her very self-conscious, everyone would look at her. To make it worst she couldn't speak English so she couldn't socialize. Not that she would be able to with The Mom and The Dad watching her.
Historical Connection
This was a terrorists attack in the United States. These people were Shyima religion, Islamic but they were extremists. But, in the book the captors watch this event unfold on television. They became frightened, not because of how many victims where killed. Rather that, The Dad had gotten into trouble in Egypt and that is why they left and came to the US. But, now they might be deported.
Conflict #2: Self vs. Man
This conflict was between The Mom and Shyima. The Mom knew she could over power Shyima and make her do whatever she wanted. This caused Shyima to doubt herself, she would never be able to leave this home and she will never be happy. The Mom was starting to control her mentally, even though she already could physically.
Ajar
-Slightly open
-"There was little air circulation, which made it hard to catch my breath, even when I left ajar the door that opened onto the garage"(45-46).
Stucco
-fine plaster used for coating wall surfaces
-"Instead of five floors this stucco home had only two"(45).
Setting
The setting started in their house in Cairo, Egypt. But, when the dad began to get into trouble the family had to move to the United States. They were moving to Los Angeles but had a connection flight from Egypt to New York. Then to Los Angeles!