Kiffe-Kiffe+Tomorrow

Discussion Time: 4W, Friday January 14

Taylor S Lindsay W (Facilitator) Bailey S Alicia R Hope S Trudy B* Suzanne H*
 * Group Members: **

1) What religion does Doria practice? 2) What race is Doria of? 3) What does kif-kif mean? What does kiffer mean? Combined, what do they both mean?
 * Clarifying Questions: **

1) How do you think Doria's sense of self changed from the beginning of the novel to the end? 2) What do you think were some of the points the author was trying to get across about teens of different cultures? What are some of their struggles? 3) What are some examples of how Doria faces judgment from others? 4) Do you think Doria's father had a big effect on her opinions about Nabil and Hamoudi? 5) Why do you think Doria dislikes Mme. Burlaud? 6) How is Doria's perception of the world -- and her life -- affected by the media? Is she observant, judgmental, or ignorant? 7) Does the media alienate Doria from society or bring her closer to it? 8) Are Doria's criticisms justified, or is she just jealous and resentful (i.e. resents Mme Burland never telling her a thing about herself but then gets annoyed when she tells Doria and her mother she's getting married pg. 32-33)? 9) Does Nabil boast his intelligence because he actually believes he's superior, or does he do it because he has nothing else to offer? 10) How do "obligations" (i.e. voting, community service, etc.) depend on social and financial status? Should one still be expected to complete one's roles as a citizen (think Doria practically flunking out of school)? 11) What is Doria's idea of success? Why does she not try to better her situation by trying harder in school, being politically active, etc.? 12) Why does Doria so readily accept what she calls her fate? 13) Doria often says "I don't give a shit." Does she always mean it?
 * Discussion Questions: **

Doria - 16-year-old protagonist the Beard - Doria's estranged father Yasmina - Doria's mother Mme. Burlaud - Doria's psychiatrist Mme. DuThingamajig - social worker Nabil [the Nul] - friend and tutor of Doria Hamoudi - ex-druggie, best friend of Doria M. Loiseau - principal at Doria's school M. Winner - Doria's mother's supervisor at the motel Aunt Zohra - family friend of Doria and her mother Youssef - Aunt Zohra's son who is in jai Samra - girl who ran away from abusive family Lila - Doria's neighbor, later Hamoudi's girlfriend Sarah - Lila's daughter, Doria babysits her
 * Characters: **

1) How does Doria's stream of consciousness provide insight into her character that she wouldn't admit on her own?
 * Narration & Style of Writing: **

This book takes place in a housing development called the Paradise Projects outside Paris, France.
 * Setting: **

-Independence -Religion -Self-confidence -Society's expectations -Gender roles
 * Themes: **

1) What purposes did the author have in writing this novel like a journal/diary? 2) Do you think that having some words in a different language add ambiguity or culture to the story? 3) Did you like how Faiza Guene used the different meanings of the word kiffe-kiffe throughout the book? 4) Are the curse words used to show anger or maturity?
 * Style of Writing: **

-"Our generation's lucky because you get to choose who you're going to love for the rest of your life. Or the rest of the year. Depends on the couple." (34) -"With time, lots of things change." (131) -"Yeah, I can get by without much trouble in the end. But, if I was a boy, maybe it would be different...It would definitely be different." (161) -"For me, it's just //kif-kif// tomorrow. Same shit, different day." -"Fate is all trial and misery because you can't do anything about it. Basically no matter what you do you'll always get screwed over. My mom says my dad walked out on us because it was written that way. Around here, we call it //mektoub//. It's like a film script and we're actors. Trouble is, our scriptwriter's got no talent. And he's never heard of happily ever after."
 * Important Quotes: **

[|Interview with Faiza Guène]
 * Outside Resources:**

[|Faiza Guène Biography]