Literary+Analysis

Literary Analysis: Zeitoun

**Kathy Zeitoun**: Abdelrahman's loving, caring wife. She is a southern girl who converted to Muslim a short time before she met her husband. She spends her time managing the Painting business. She enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Her own family is not supportive of her desicion to convert to Muslim. Her and the children leave the city of New Orleans before Katrina hits. **Todd:** A younger white man who lives in one of Zeitoun's properties. Todd stays behind during the hurricane. Zeitoun meets up with Todd and Todd joins Nasser and Zeitoun in saving people. Todd's house is the only one with a working phone so the men spend a majority of time there.Todd puts a comical spin on the events of the aftermath with his personality.
 * Central C​haracters: **
 * Abdelrahman Zeitoun :** kind, religious, middle aged man from Syria who has worked his way up in America. He is a contracter of a large Painting company in New Orleans. He and his wife Kathy spend their time operating there business as well as spending time with their 5 children. Abdelrahman, commonly known as "Zeitoun" refuses to leave the city when Katrina hits. Dave Eggers follows Zeitoun through Hurricane Katrina and his afterward experiences in the chaotic city of New Orleans.
 * Ahmad Zeitoun **: Abdelrahman's loving older brother who lives in Spain. He is concerned for Abdelrahman's safety during Hurricane Katrina. He pushes for Abdelrahman to leave New Orleans after the storm and warns him of the dangers. He communicates with his brother and Kathy by telephone throughout the novel.
 * Nasser **: An old Syrian Muslim friend of Abdelrahman's that Abdelrahman runs in to during the aftermath of the hurricane. These men ride around in Zeitoun's canoe and help to save people. The two men become closer friends during the aftermath of the storm. They must battle the outcome fo the aftermath together.
 * Zachary, Nademah, Safiya,Aisha : ** The Zeitoun's children. Zachary is a result of Kathy's previous marriage. The three girls are Kathy and Abdelrahman's children. The children are concerned for the Father's safety during the aftermath of Katrina.

Set​ting: Zeitoun is set in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The setting is a crucial part of the novel because of the effect of the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina on the city of New Orleans. Kathy and the children spend a short time in Baton Rouge, then Phoenix while New Orleans is off limits due to Katrina. media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=new+orleans&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=24.514195,35.771484&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=New+Orleans,+Orleans,+Louisiana&ll=29.964722,-90.070556&spn=0.212787,0.307274&z=12&output=embed" width="522" height="399" align="center"

Writen in third person narration. Dave Eggers tells the story of both Zeitoun and Kathy's experiences through the aftermath of Katrina.
 * Point of Vie​w: **

Central conflict arises during Zeitouns stay in New Orleans after Katrina hits. Zeitoun, Todd, Nasser and Ronnie are arrested without comitting a crime. The conflict escalates as Kathy goes a week without hearing from Zeitoun. Zeitoun is treated unhumane and must battle for his life as he spends time in prison falsly accused of looting and terrorism.
 * Conflict: **

Racism**- Zeitoun and Kathy must battle racial injustices because of their religion. Characters learn to keep their religion close to their heart despite the racism they endure.
 * Themes:
 * Love**- As Zeitoun and Kathy are seperated during hurricane Katrina they realize their true love for eachother. Zeitoun realizes the importance of family as he spends time in jail. Kathy's worry and efforts to save Zeitoun show how much she truely loves him.
 * Marginilization-** Zeitouns overcome Marginilization due to race and religion. Work hard to become successful large business owners.


 * Symbols: **


 * Zeitoun's Canoe**- Symbol of Zeitouns compassion for others. Zetioun feels it is his calling to save individuals. Zeitoun believes it has been his calling from Allah to save these people. Canoe represents relgion and compassion.
 * Dogs-** Represent Zeitoun is a great person to rely on. He feeds a group of dogs in the hurricane aftermath. He cares for these dogs. The dogs rely on him to stay alive.
 * Pain in Zeitoun's Stomach:** Intense pain represents heartbreak. The grief Zeitoun experiences is a result of his emotional struggle with prison. He feels disconected from his family and diminished. He is innocent yet forced to live like an animal behind bars without seeing his family.