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Something I love about the Daevabad Trilogy is how it uses Cairo to:
Connect Nahri to her human roots,
provide an introduction to Daevabad's politics, and
be a foundation for Nahri and Ali's relationship.
A thread
(Empire of Gold spoilers!
)
Connect Nahri to her human roots, provide an introduction to Daevabad's politics, and be a foundation for Nahri and Ali's relationship.A thread
(Empire of Gold spoilers!
)
Cairo breathes and beats inside of Nahri's heart. From the language and food to the people and weather, to her hustle as a con artist and the independence it gave her. She's named after the Nile, and it's proudly one of the few things she's chosen for herself.2/
Nahri misses Cairo for the entire first two books, to the point where she wants nothing more than to escape Daevabad and return home. Her wish is granted at the end of Book 2, and in Book 3 she learns personal truths that confirm her self-worth and her Cairo roots even more.
3/
3/
For much of the series Nahri is torn between her human upbringing, her secret shafit heritage, and her privileged Nahid blood. Each has pros & cons in Daevabad, but its her Egyptian family that she takes strength in and fully appreciates at the end when she learns of Duriya.
4/
4/
As readers, we meet Cairo before we meet Daevabad, and it serves as a political introduction for what's happening in the magical djinn city. From the various groups fighting for control, to the casual slurs & prejudiced rumors used against the various peoples.5/
The historical grand city that is ruled by outsiders and constantly fought over. The vulnerable caste of people that have no power and risk being crushed amidst war.
Even Yaqub's apothecary eases us into the magical infirmary Nahri will soon find herself bound to.
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Even Yaqub's apothecary eases us into the magical infirmary Nahri will soon find herself bound to.
6/
Which leads us to Daevabad. As Nahri struggles to adjust to the magical city and its politics & expectations, Cairo becomes even more of a lifeline to her. But interestingly, those closest to her do not understand or respect its value to her.7/
Nisreen rebukes Nahri for speaking in Arabic.
Jamshid complains about having to eat her "strange human food."
Muntadhir doesn't know what city she's from when they marry, and five years later doesn't recognize Yaqub's name or his importance to Nahri.
And then there's Ali.
8/
Jamshid complains about having to eat her "strange human food."
Muntadhir doesn't know what city she's from when they marry, and five years later doesn't recognize Yaqub's name or his importance to Nahri.
And then there's Ali.
8/
Ali, who was interested in the human world & Cairo long before he met Nahri. Who speaks Arabic and taught her to read & write it. Who loves human inventions and cuisine. Who, when he meets Yaqub, instantly remembers him as Nahri's friend & the stories she's told of him.9/
Ali so recognized Nahri's love for Cairo, that he had Egyptian shafit artisans design her hospital office to be a homage to it. That way, she would always have a slice of home to take refuge in while in Daevabad.
10/
10/
And Nahri realizes this. There's a line from the Kingdom of Copper arc where Nahri reflects on her Cairin office; "...the quiet homage to the home she still loved, a love no one else in her life seemed to even pick up on."
No one, except Ali.
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No one, except Ali.
11/
Nahri uses this Cairo love on Ali, too. In Book 1 she tries using Cairo to lure Ali into escaping Daevabad with her. To see the world, & maybe partner with Yaqub. In Book 3 she tries using Cairo to lure him into staying. To have a life there, with her. And it almost works.
12/
12/
Later in Ta Ntry, Hatset proposes a strategic future and marriage as an alternative to the deadly Daevabad war. But Nahri finds herself daydreaming not of some magical throne, but of Yaqub's shop in Cairo. A life with Ali, filled with laughter and ease.
13/
13/
In the end, Nahri chooses to leave Cairo behind so she can save Daevabad and fulfill her greater purpose. But it will always be an important part of her life, and live on in Daevabad.
I'll leave with this quote from the Kingdom of Copper.
Thanks for reading!
14/end
I'll leave with this quote from the Kingdom of Copper.
Thanks for reading!14/end
Nahri: "You must think I'm mad, pining for human citrus when I'm surrounded by every luxury the magical world contains."
"I don't think you're mad," Ali assured her. "They're your roots. They're what make you who you are. That isn't something you should have to cut away."
"I don't think you're mad," Ali assured her. "They're your roots. They're what make you who you are. That isn't something you should have to cut away."
