“‘You have chosen a dead-end road’ (Mama) said after (Baba)” p.43 Suleiman's parents are engaged in a battle between pragmatism and idealism. Discuss

Hisham Matar’s novel In the Country of Men , clearly demonstrates the differing attitudes of Suleiman’s parents. Faraj, his father, strives for his country’s democracy, illustrating a man who upholds his ideals neglecting practicalities whereas Najwa the mother of Suleiman, is a practical woman. She sees Faraj’s dream as unreal and that their family may be overpowered by the Guide if they openly defy their leader. The corrupted Libyan society, in which they live, is controlled by an autocrat who must obey each day in order for survival of its citizens.

Suleiman’s narration of the novel allows the reader to see the Libyan society under the hands of the Guide and the control he had over his people. It was the routine of Faraj to return home from his ‘business’ trip around lunch time. He asked Mama, “’any news about Rashid?’” for which she replies “’Faraj, I’m worried, worried for us’”. She knows that Faraj has strong ideals for achieving democracy for his country but Najwa is practical and knows it’s a risky business to pursue such a pathway in their tightly controlled country. She believes he is blindfolded and tells him that “you have chosen a dead end road” however, he doesn’t reply and walks away. Trying to seek democracy is not a practical thing to do in the time of such autocratic governing. Nine years old Suleiman who is clever enough to figure out his parents are engaged in a battle doesn’t want them to continue arguing so “I extended my plate to her, to serve me some more even though I was full”. Suleiman was the glue between his parents even though “children’s are useless in war” they are the ones that make differences in people’s life. At that time, Najwa was not tightly bonded with Faraj but through the sole figure Sul...

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... However, she bravely steps into the role to bring her husband back home. Najwa’s bravery gave her the power to approach her once unfriendly neighbour Um Masoud and Ustath Jafer to release her husband from the ruthless hands of the Guide. She succeeded in bringing Faraj back because she cared about her family. She hoped that Faraj would have learnt his lesson in acting idealistically in a controlled society like Libya. Her swift action seeking the help of a neighbour and acting practically proved to be the right road to take.

Throughout the novel, In the Country of Men , by Hisham Matar it is revealed that living in a country controlled by a ruthless autocrat, it is dangerous to follow your ideals as Baba tried to do. Suleiman learnt that his mother pragmatic attitude was a wise approach. The pathway Baba took, almost proved to be a “dead-end road” for the family.