Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Slow
- Mood
- Atmospheric, Melancholy, Reflective, Tense
- Read it if
- You appreciate literary fiction exploring the profound impact of political oppression on a child and family, with a focus on internal emotional landscapes.
- Skip it if
- You prefer fast-paced plots with clear resolutions, or are sensitive to themes of political persecution and psychological distress.
In the Country of Men Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Lie and the Green Shutters
In 1979 Tripoli, nine-year-old Suleiman remembers seeing his father, Faraj, in the marketplace. He had been told Faraj was on a business trip in Cairo. Faraj, wearing dark sunglasses, was with another man and entered a building with green shutters. This sighting deeply unnerves Suleiman, creating doubt about his father's true activities and the stories he'd been told. His mother, Najwa, often tells Suleiman unsettling stories of family history and bitterness, adding to the unease at home. The incident with the green shutters marks the start of Suleiman's entry into a world of adult secrets and political fear under Qaddafi's regime.
The Father's Return and the Growing Fear
Faraj eventually returns home, but the previous sense of normalcy is gone. Suleiman notices his father's changed demeanor, quiet, intense, and more guarded. The family home becomes a place of hushed talks and unspoken worries. Najwa begins to act strangely, burning Faraj's cherished books and papers in the garden. This is a desperate act to remove any evidence that might incriminate him. The telephone becomes a source of dread. Its ring signals potential danger or surveillance. This period introduces Suleiman to the clear fear that fills their lives as the political climate in Libya worsens.
The Interrogation and the White Car
One night, men arrive at their house and take Faraj away for questioning. Suleiman sees his father leave, a moment that confirms the danger they face. Soon after, a white car, seemingly belonging to government agents, parks outside their house. Its occupants watch their every move. This constant surveillance terrifies Najwa, who struggles to stay composed for Suleiman's sake. Suleiman's best friend, Nuri, also experiences his father's disappearance. This shows the widespread political crackdown and the regime's arbitrary power.
Najwa's Despair and Protective Measures
With Faraj gone, Najwa's mental state worsens. She experiences periods of deep despair, expressing fear and resentment toward Faraj for involving them in his political activities. Despite her emotional fragility, she tries to shield Suleiman from the full extent of the danger. She invents stories about Faraj's return and attempts to keep things normal. She tells Suleiman what to say if questioned, stressing the importance of silence and denial. These efforts highlight Najwa's complex character, caught between anger at her husband and fierce maternal protectiveness.
The Public Humiliation of Nuri's Father
Suleiman and Najwa watch Nuri's father being publicly questioned on state television. He appears disheveled and recites a confession, clearly under duress. This televised event is a clear demonstration of the regime's power and control methods, designed to instill fear and obedience. Seeing his friend's father, a respected man, reduced to a puppet of the state, deeply affects Suleiman. This further exposes him to the brutal realities of their political environment and the vulnerability of individuals against the regime.
Faraj's Release and the Changed Man
Unexpectedly, Faraj is released and returns home. His physical appearance is changed. He has lost weight and has a haunted look in his eyes. He is withdrawn and silent, a sharp contrast to the lively, intellectual man Suleiman remembers. His imprisonment has broken something inside him. He struggles to reconnect with his family or resume his previous life. His silence and emotional distance create a new kind of tension in the house. Najwa tries to nurse him back to health, and Suleiman grapples with a father who is both present and absent.
The Trip to Benghazi and the Family's History
The family travels to Benghazi to visit relatives. This journey is a temporary escape, but it also shows Suleiman more of his family's complex history. During this trip, Suleiman learns about his father's involvement in a political group and his reasons for his actions. He also hears more stories from Najwa and other relatives about the family's past grievances and their struggles under the oppressive regime. These stories give Suleiman a broader context for the events around him, helping him understand the deep-rooted political and personal conflicts that shape their lives.
Faraj's Deterioration and Najwa's Resignation
Back in Tripoli, Faraj's condition worsens. He becomes increasingly frail and withdrawn, spending his days in quiet despair. Najwa, though still caring for him, shows signs of emotional exhaustion and resignation. The lively, fiery woman Suleiman once knew is diminished by the constant pressure and the weight of their circumstances. The political climate remains repressive, with no sign of improvement, adding to the family's sense of hopelessness. Suleiman observes these changes, internalizing the grief and fear that fill their home.
The Departure and the Promise of Return
As Faraj's health further declines, a decision is made for Najwa and Suleiman to leave Libya for their safety and a chance at a better life. Faraj, too weak to travel or perhaps unwilling, remains behind. This separation is filled with emotion as Suleiman struggles with leaving his father. Najwa promises Faraj they will return, a promise that feels both hopeful and fragile given the political realities. Their departure means a forced exile, a desperate attempt to escape the suffocating grip of the regime and the personal toll it has taken on their family.
Life in Exile and the Lingering Scars
Suleiman and Najwa settle into a new life in exile. But the memories and trauma of their time in Libya continue to haunt them. Suleiman carries the weight of his childhood experiences: the fear, the secrets, and the image of his broken father. The narrative shifts to Suleiman as an adult, reflecting on these events from a distance, trying to understand his past and its impact on his identity. The book ends with a lingering sorrow. It acknowledges that while they escaped physically, the emotional scars of living "in the country of men" remain.
In the Country of Men Characters
Suleiman
Protagonist
A nine-year-old boy grappling with the political turmoil in 1979 Libya.
Suleiman is the sensitive and observant narrator, experiencing the collapse of his childhood innocence as his family is caught in Libya's political purges. He is a quiet boy, internalizing the fear and confusion around him, trying to make sense of the adult world's secrets and dangers. His primary drive is to understand his father's actions and the reasons behind his family's suffering, while also navigating the complexities of his mother's volatile emotions. He is deeply affected by the political climate, which shapes his understanding of trust, loyalty, and loss.
Relationships: Faraj (Son-father, initially admiring but later confused and saddened by his father's political involvement and subsequent brokenness.); Najwa (Son-mother, a complex bond characterized by his mother's overprotective love, emotional volatility, and shared trauma.)
Faraj
Supporting
Suleiman's intellectual and politically active father, who is arrested and broken by the regime.
Faraj is a well-read, intellectual man, deeply committed to his political ideals against Qaddafi's regime. He is a loving father, though his political activities often keep him distant. His arrest and subsequent torture transform him into a silent, defeated man, a ghost of his former self. His actions, though driven by conviction, bring immense suffering upon his family. He represents the tragic figure of the intellectual crushed by an authoritarian state, his spirit broken, leaving a profound impact on his son.
Relationships: Suleiman (Father-son, a relationship that shifts from admiration to a tragic understanding of his father's sacrifice and suffering.); Najwa (Husband-wife, a strained relationship marked by love, resentment, and shared political danger.)
Najwa
Supporting
Suleiman's emotionally volatile mother, who struggles to protect her family amidst political turmoil.
Najwa is Suleiman's fiery and often volatile mother, fiercely protective of her son but also prone to emotional outbursts of fear and resentment. She carries the weight of family history and personal grievances, which manifest in her stories and her erratic behavior. Her strength lies in her determination to survive and shield Suleiman, even as she herself crumbles under the pressure of Faraj's imprisonment and the constant surveillance. She represents the resilience and despair of women living under oppressive regimes, caught between love for their family and anger at their circumstances.
Relationships: Suleiman (Mother-son, a deeply protective and emotionally intense bond.); Faraj (Wife-husband, a complex mix of love, frustration, and shared political fear.)
Nuri
Supporting
Suleiman's best friend, whose father also becomes a victim of the regime.
Nuri is Suleiman's childhood best friend, a symbol of the innocent lives disrupted by the political climate. His father's public interrogation and disappearance mirror Faraj's fate, highlighting the widespread nature of the regime's brutality. Nuri's experiences serve as a parallel to Suleiman's, emphasizing that their family's suffering is not isolated but part of a larger national trauma. He represents the many children who lost their parents and their sense of security during this period.
Relationships: Suleiman (Childhood friends, sharing a bond of innocence and later, shared trauma.)
The Green Shutters
Mentioned
The mysterious building Faraj enters, signifying the beginning of Suleiman's disillusionment.
The building with the green shutters is a symbolic location that Suleiman observes his father entering, sparking his initial doubts and anxieties. It represents the hidden, illicit world of his father's political activities and the secrets that adults keep. It is the visual catalyst for Suleiman's loss of innocence, marking the point where his comfortable childhood begins to unravel. The green shutters become a recurring image of secrecy and the unseen dangers lurking beneath the surface of everyday life in Libya.
The Men in the White Car
Antagonist
Government agents who surveil Suleiman's family, embodying the oppressive regime.
These anonymous figures represent the omnipresent, menacing power of Qaddafi's regime. Their silent surveillance from the white car instills terror in Najwa and Suleiman, embodying the constant threat of arrest and the loss of personal freedom. They are faceless agents of an oppressive state, their presence a constant reminder of the family's vulnerability and the pervasive fear that grips the country. They symbolize the lack of privacy and the arbitrary nature of state power.
In the Country of Men Themes
Loss of Innocence
The novel traces Suleiman's journey from a protected, sensitive child to one aware of political oppression and personal betrayal. His first encounter with his father at the green-shuttered building shatters his naive worldview. The events that follow – his father's arrest, his mother's erratic behavior, the public shaming of Nuri's father – force him to face his country's dark side and his family's fragile security. This theme is central, showing how political turmoil harms a child's mind, taking away a carefree childhood.
“Perhaps I should have been afraid, but I felt only the strange calm that comes when you realize you have been lied to, when you know that the world is not as you had believed it to be.”
The Pervasive Nature of Fear
Fear is always present in the lives of Suleiman and his family. It controls their actions and shapes who they are. From hushed talks and burning books to the dread of the ringing telephone and constant surveillance, the atmosphere is heavy with apprehension. This fear is not just of physical harm, but also of the unknown, the state's arbitrary power, and the psychological toll it takes. It seeps into every part of their lives, eroding trust and creating helplessness. This shows how a totalitarian regime controls its citizens through terror.
“Fear was not a single thing. It was a forest, and every tree in it was a different kind of fear.”
The Burden of Family History and Secrets
The novel explores how family history, especially unresolved conflicts and secrets, contributes to the characters' current struggles. Najwa's constant retelling of old family grievances and her troubled past with Faraj's family adds complexity to their political situation. Faraj's political involvement also comes from his personal beliefs and perhaps a sense of historical duty. These family stories, often fragmented and emotional, weigh heavily on Suleiman, who inherits a legacy of bitterness and political defiance. The unspoken secrets about Faraj's activities and imprisonment further emphasize this theme, showing how the past still affects and defines the present.
“My mother's stories were like stones, each one sharp and heavy, and she would drop them into my lap one by one.”
The Nature of Identity in Exile and Trauma
After leaving Libya, Suleiman and Najwa carry the lasting marks of their experiences, shaping their identities in exile. Suleiman, as the adult narrator, reflects on how his childhood trauma and the loss of his father have defined him. The struggle to connect his past in Libya with his present life abroad highlights the lasting psychological impact of displacement and political violence. The characters' identities are formed not only by who they are but by what they have endured, showing how trauma can become a part of one's self, even across different countries and decades.
“We carried our history with us, a heavy, invisible luggage.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Retrospective Narration
The story is told by an adult Suleiman looking back on his childhood.
This device allows for a reflective and analytical tone, as the adult Suleiman processes and interprets events that were confusing and terrifying to his nine-year-old self. It provides insight into the lasting psychological impact of trauma and political oppression. The retrospective lens also allows for foreshadowing and a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and the historical context, as the narrator can weave in later knowledge and mature reflections, enriching the emotional depth of the narrative.
Symbolism of the Green Shutters
The building with green shutters represents hidden danger and political secrets.
The green shutters symbolize the hidden, illicit world of political dissent and the secrets that adults keep from children. Suleiman's initial sighting of his father entering this building marks the beginning of his loss of innocence and his awareness of a dangerous reality beneath the surface of his everyday life. It becomes a recurring motif of the unseen threats and the pervasive sense of secrecy that defines life under an authoritarian regime, representing the threshold between innocence and a harsh political reality.
The Telephone as a Portent of Danger
The ringing of the telephone frequently signals impending bad news or surveillance.
The telephone, normally a tool for communication, becomes a symbol of dread and intrusion. Its ringing often signifies bad news, a summons from authorities, or a sign of surveillance. For Najwa and Suleiman, the telephone's sound is associated with the constant threat of their father's arrest or further harassment by the regime. This device effectively builds suspense and highlights the pervasive fear that permeates their lives, turning an ordinary object into a powerful symbol of state control and personal vulnerability.
Parallel Experiences (Nuri's Father)
The fate of Suleiman's friend's father mirrors Faraj's, highlighting widespread oppression.
The public interrogation and disappearance of Nuri's father serve as a powerful parallel to Faraj's own ordeal. This device emphasizes that the family's suffering is not isolated but part of a broader, systemic political crackdown. It underscores the widespread nature of the regime's brutality and the arbitrary targeting of its citizens, reinforcing the theme of pervasive fear and the vulnerability of individuals. The parallel experiences amplify the sense of shared trauma and the collective impact of the regime on ordinary families.
In the Country of Men Quotes
“I was four years old when my father was taken away. I remember the men who came to our house, their faces grim, their voices hushed.”
“My mother always told me that the dead are not truly gone until they are forgotten.”
“The silence in our house was a heavy blanket, suffocating us all.”
“To betray someone is not to hate them. It is to love them in a way that is no longer possible.”
“Every secret is a burden, and the heaviest burdens are the ones we carry for others.”
“I often wondered if courage was simply the absence of imagination.”
“In a country where truth was a luxury, silence became a form of survival.”
“My mother's madness was a language I could not understand, but I knew it spoke of pain.”
“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”
“To be a man in this country was to be a shadow, always watchful, always afraid.”
“Grief is not a single emotion, but a thousand different feelings all tangled together.”
“The smell of jasmine always reminded me of home, and of everything I had lost.”
“Perhaps the greatest act of defiance is simply to remember.”
“I learned that even in the darkest times, there is always a flicker of hope, a small ember that refuses to die.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the primary setting of 'In the Country of Men'?
- Cairo, Egypt
- Tripoli, Libya
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Damascus, Syria
Show answer
B. Tripoli, Libya The story is set in Tripoli, Libya, during the aftermath of Khadafy's revolution.
Question 2
What year does the main narrative of the book begin?
- 1969
- 1975
- 1979
- 1983
Show answer
C. 1979 The story begins in Libya, 1979, ten years after Khadafy's revolution.
Question 3
What is the name of the nine-year-old protagonist?
- Khaled
- Ahmed
- Suleiman
- Mustafa
Show answer
C. Suleiman The main character and narrator is nine-year-old Suleiman.
Question 4
What specific action does Suleiman's mother take with his father's books when danger approaches?
- She hides them in the garden.
- She gives them to a neighbor for safekeeping.
- She frantically burns them.
- She packs them in suitcases for an escape.
Show answer
C. She frantically burns them. As the family faces increasing scrutiny and danger, Suleiman's mother frantically burns his father's cherished books to eliminate incriminating evidence.
Question 5
What initially makes Suleiman suspicious about his father's activities?
- His father stops bringing him gifts from abroad.
- He overhears his parents arguing about politics.
- He sees his father in a marketplace, despite being told he was away on business.
- His father suddenly changes his daily routine.
Show answer
C. He sees his father in a marketplace, despite being told he was away on business. Suleiman first suspects something is wrong when he sees his father in a busy marketplace, wearing dark sunglasses and entering a strange building, even though he was supposed to be away on a business trip.
Question 6
What is the broader political context that drives the family's fear and paranoia?
- A civil war between different tribal factions.
- The aftermath of Khadafy's 1969 September revolution.
- An economic crisis leading to widespread poverty.
- Conflict with a neighboring country.
Show answer
B. The aftermath of Khadafy's 1969 September revolution. The family's private nightmare is a direct consequence of the public nightmare created by Khadafy's 1969 September revolution and its ongoing impact in 1979.
Question 7
How does the sound of the telephone ringing impact the family, particularly Suleiman's mother?
- It signals good news from relatives abroad.
- It is ignored, as they rarely receive calls.
- It becomes a portent of grave danger and fear.
- It means a new business opportunity for the father.
Show answer
C. It becomes a portent of grave danger and fear. The sound of the telephone ringing becomes a symbol of the pervasive fear and danger, often indicating calls that bring bad news or increased scrutiny from the authorities.
Question 8
What happens to Suleiman's best friend's father?
- He goes into hiding in a foreign embassy.
- He is publicly interrogated on state television after disappearing overnight.
- He manages to flee the country with his family.
- He is arrested and imprisoned without trial.
Show answer
B. He is publicly interrogated on state television after disappearing overnight. Suleiman's best friend's father disappears overnight and is later seen publicly interrogated on state television, highlighting the brutality of the regime and the fear it instills.
Question 9
What role do Suleiman's mother's 'bedside stories' play in his understanding of their family's situation?
- They distract him from the political turmoil.
- They are simple fairytales designed to comfort him.
- They are increasingly disturbing, full of old family bitterness, foreshadowing deeper troubles.
- They teach him about Libyan history and culture.
Show answer
C. They are increasingly disturbing, full of old family bitterness, foreshadowing deeper troubles. Suleiman's mother's bedside stories, filled with 'old family bitterness,' begin to reveal the underlying tensions and historical grievances that contribute to the family's current predicament and the father's involvement.
Question 10
The presence of a 'stranger full of sinister questions' sitting outside in a parked car symbolizes what aspect of the regime's control?
- Casual neighborhood gossip.
- The omnipresent surveillance and intimidation by the state.
- A new family friend visiting.
- A potential client for Suleiman's father's business.
Show answer
B. The omnipresent surveillance and intimidation by the state. The stranger in the parked car represents the constant surveillance and intimidation tactics employed by Khadafy's regime, making the family feel perpetually watched and unsafe.
In the Country of Men FAQ
What is the central conflict in 'In the Country of Men'?
The central conflict revolves around nine-year-old Suleiman's innocent world being shattered by the political paranoia and violence of Qaddafi's Libya in 1979. He struggles to comprehend the fear and danger his parents face, particularly after his father's mysterious disappearance and subsequent interrogation, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of a totalitarian regime.
Who is Suleiman and what is his role in the narrative?
Suleiman is the nine-year-old protagonist and first-person narrator of the story. His innocent perspective allows the reader to experience the unfolding political terror through the eyes of a child, highlighting the confusion, fear, and gradual loss of innocence as he tries to make sense of the adult world's dangers.
What is the significance of Suleiman's father's 'business trips'?
Initially, Suleiman's father's 'business trips' are presented as a normal part of his life, bringing exotic gifts. However, it soon becomes clear that these trips are a cover for his involvement in activities deemed subversive by the regime, leading to his eventual arrest and the family's subsequent persecution.
How does Suleiman's mother react to the escalating political danger?
Suleiman's mother becomes increasingly frantic and protective as the political danger escalates. She burns his father's cherished books, which are seen as dangerous evidence, and struggles with her own mental health, experiencing vivid nightmares and moments of instability while trying to shield Suleiman from the full horror.
What role does the setting of Libya in 1979 play in the story?
Libya in 1979, ten years after Qaddafi's September Revolution, is crucial as it depicts a society under the grip of intense political repression, surveillance, and fear. The historical context explains the pervasive paranoia, the disappearances, and the public interrogations that directly impact Suleiman's family and friends.
What is the significance of the 'man with the green shutters' that Suleiman sees his father with?
The man with the green shutters is a subtle clue to the father's clandestine activities and the hidden dangers he faces. This sighting shatters Suleiman's perception of his father's honesty and marks the beginning of his disillusionment, signaling that his father is involved in something illicit and dangerous, far from his declared business trips.
How does the burning of the father's books symbolize the regime's control?
The frantic burning of the father's cherished books symbolizes the regime's oppressive control over thought and expression. It demonstrates the fear that mere possession of certain literature could lead to severe punishment, forcing individuals to self-censor and destroy intellectual property to survive.
What is the implied fate of Suleiman's best friend's father?
Suleiman's best friend's father disappears overnight and is later seen publicly interrogated on state television, implying his arrest and torture by the regime. This event serves as a stark warning and a direct example of the brutal consequences for anyone perceived as an opponent, deeply impacting Suleiman and his family.
What is the symbolic meaning of the 'stranger full of sinister questions' in the parked car?
The stranger in the parked car symbolizes the omnipresent surveillance and intimidation tactics of the totalitarian state. His silent, constant presence outside their home is a psychological weapon, a tangible manifestation of the regime's watchful eye, designed to instill fear and pressure the family.
How does Suleiman's age influence his understanding and coping mechanisms?
Suleiman's young age limits his full comprehension of the political complexities, leading him to interpret events through a child's lens of confusion and fear. He copes by internalizing much of the trauma, observing intently, and sometimes retreating into his imagination, which both protects and isolates him.
Discuss the psychological impact of his father's absence and return on Suleiman.
His father's initial absence fills Suleiman with confusion and longing, while his return, marked by the physical and psychological scars of interrogation, deeply traumatizes the boy. Suleiman witnesses his father's brokenness, which shatters his image of an invincible parent and forces him to confront the harsh realities of vulnerability and fear.
How does the mother's mental state affect Suleiman's emotional development?
The mother's deteriorating mental state, characterized by her disturbing bedtime stories and moments of instability, creates an atmosphere of anxiety and unpredictability for Suleiman. He is burdened by her distress, often feeling responsible or confused by her erratic behavior, which contributes to his own emotional isolation and early maturity.
Explore the theme of innocence lost in the novel.
The novel is a profound exploration of innocence lost, as Suleiman's idyllic childhood is irrevocably corrupted by the political terror. His exposure to lies, fear, betrayal, and violence forces him to shed his naive understanding of the world, replacing it with a cynical awareness of human cruelty and the fragility of safety.
What is the significance of the title 'In the Country of Men'?
The title 'In the Country of Men' can be interpreted as referring to Libya under Qaddafi's patriarchal and authoritarian rule, where men held power and dictated the lives of others, often through violence. It also highlights Suleiman's journey into a harsh, adult world governed by male figures, both protective and menacing, contrasting with his earlier, more sheltered existence.
How does the novel use memory and flashback to construct its narrative?
The novel is largely a retrospective account, narrated by an adult Suleiman looking back on his childhood. This use of memory and flashback allows for a dual perspective: the immediate, confused experience of the child, overlaid with the reflective understanding and emotional weight of the adult narrator, offering deeper insight into the lasting trauma.
Discuss the ambiguity surrounding the father's specific 'crimes' or political activities.
The novel deliberately keeps the specifics of the father's 'crimes' ambiguous. This ambiguity serves to emphasize the arbitrary nature of political persecution under totalitarian regimes, where accusations can be vague and justice nonexistent. It also highlights Suleiman's limited understanding, as he only sees the consequences, not the full context of his father's actions.
What message does the book convey about the impact of political regimes on private lives?
The book powerfully conveys that totalitarian political regimes infiltrate and devastate private lives, stripping away personal freedoms, trust, and security. It illustrates how political fear transforms family dynamics, psychological well-being, and the very fabric of society, leaving lasting scars on individuals and generations.
How does the narrative's focus on a child's perspective enhance its themes?
Focusing on a child's perspective amplifies the themes of vulnerability, incomprehension, and injustice. It makes the horror of political repression more visceral and universal, as the child's innocence starkly contrasts with the adult world's brutality, making the reader feel the profound loss and terror more acutely.
About the author
Hisham Matar is a Libyan author known for his fiction that often explores themes of exile and identity. His notable work, "In the Country of Men," delves into the complexities of life under a repressive regime in Libya. Matar has received significant recognition for his writing, including the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for his memoir "The Return."
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