https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s How a collection of Middle-Eastern stories plays a role in Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children en-us 2017-02-01 16:12:23 UTC 2023-02-10 18:55:40 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png johnny_b24 https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152350515 Arabian Nights refers to a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age (8th to 13th century.) The reason it is commonly referred to as "Arabian Nights" is because the name was changed when it was first translated to English in 1706.]]> 2017-02-08 02:21:54 UTC https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152350515 johnny_b24 https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152351428 The story that the Disney Movie 'Aladdin' was based on came from the 'Arabian Nights' but one of the much later versions. Also, the story in 'Arabian Nights' took place in China, and obviously most of the characters were of Chinese descent. ]]> 2017-02-08 02:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152351428 johnny_b24 https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152351836 Besides the connection referenced on Monday, the 1,001 Midnight's Children, there's not a whole lot of references on the surface that you'd notice if you don't know the context of 'Arabian Nights.' But, as I discovered through a little bit of research, the whole structure to Midnight's Children mirrors that of 'Arabian Nights.' As I said earlier, it's a mix of stories from all over the Middle East and South Asia, and different versions contain different stories, but they all contain the same frame story. The frame story follows Scheherezde as she tells stories every night to King Shahryrar in an attempt to keep him from killing a virgin every night of his rule. While 'Midnight's Children is more complex, it uses a frame story/metafiction structure where Saleem represents Scheherezade, telling stories to make one seem important through suspense, and Padma, being told stories to get her to think and gain interest on an odd topic, but told in a suspenseful and confusing way that keeps her coming back. 

Both the Arabian Nights are following a kind of political agenda although very different. Arabian Nights isn't as much political, since it's more of a story than a call to arms, but it's a story about swaying the royalty to view their lessers in a more equal manner. The King ends up marrying Scheherezade and completely forgets about killing virgins. 

Similar to that, Saleem tells his story to Padma, but not only to her. Instead, according to the analysis, his story is one for all eyes and ears of those around the world who might be able to make a difference in terms of politics and division. ]]> 2017-02-08 02:39:40 UTC https://padlet.com/johnny_b24/3hzlxkkfho3s/wish/152351836