The Drumming Sands
Ibrahim, Al-Kouni
The story is about a visitor and a native of the desert getting drunk and losing their way on what would normally be a routine trip. The visitor, Misbah Said is a writer and involved in politics. The guide is a native who appears very comfortable in the harsh desert setting. They are at the mercy of the temperature and the elements and to me, the Land-Rover feels out of place. They should have camels. The writer has an encounter with a local politician he has clashed with before and learns his guide is dead and it is no accident as he is expected to believe. In the midst of th desert is a group of people who were known to the guide and celebrate their sparse existence in the desert. Misbah seemed to have trouble processing their lives, his political standing and his duties to the foreign land.
Cairo is a Small City
Nabil Gorgy
This story seems to take place during a boom of activity and growth in Cairo. The main character Adil is an engineer who lives in luxury and has hand a hand in building up the city., From his posh pad he sees a group of women pass by and falls for one of them. They trade looks and build a relationship over several months. He talks about his love and devotion and when he is invited to go with her to meet his family he feels like this is a chance to seek permission to wed. Its very symbolic he is invited to a shearing of the sheep. Once he gets there he is questioned by several of the groups men and it is revealed that they know his as a man that killed one of their people. Adil recalls the story and it appears to be an accident, however the result is the same. He is executed by these people for his crime. His character showed darkness in several parts of the story - from his treatment of other bedouin women to his ability to forget his previous crime.
The Persian Carpet
Hanan Shaykh
Three sisters go to visit their mother at her new home. After an Islamic divorce it is almost always the fathers who gain custody of the children. There is much anticipation as the girls sneak away to see their mother and the middle child is most excited to see her. There is much rejoicing and happiness amoung the women as the reunite until she sees a rug on her mother's new floor. The rug had once been in their home and at had disappeared. Her mother has accused the blind man Ilya of taking the rug. The rug was gone several months before her parents divorced and the daughter must deal with the betrayal from her mother. She is so happy to see her but thinks of the blind man and of her mother's selfishness and had to face the realization that her mother had planned to leave long before she actually did.
Voices fom Near and Far
A I Abdul Razzak
An illiterate mother is dictating a letter to an un-named man to send to her sons who are fighting in a war far away. She is sad and scared that she has not heard from them and concerned for their well being. She listens to the radio constantly to hear if their names are mentioned. It is slowly revealed that this man she is dictating to could be more than a friend. I am not sure, but I think at one point their is a reference to her health - is she pregnant?
Life By Installments
Mohammed Barrada
This is a very symbolic story involving characters of all ages. The action is minimal but the descriptions of the conversations and the thoughts describe a fatalistic outlook on all stages of life. The things people consider living for are reduced to simple statements and the stages of life are negated. It was somewhat hard to follow. It had a very dismal feel to it.
Flower Crazy
Mohammed Chukri
A woman who is raising her brothers lives in poverty but spends the day as a high price escort. She talks about drinking and the traps of depenceny but based on her violent vomiting she is victim as well. She hides her nice things from her family and when she gets to the city hides her poorness from everyone. She talks about the man who gives flowers away, Flower Crazy and his life. He seems crazy or sad top her. She seems sickly and selfish to the reader, leaving her brothers in the destitution and wearing expoensive clothes and having a coveted doll all to herself. she much prefers her rich life over her family and her home. However she makes no attempt to improve either situation.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Feb 20th
Advice from a Sensible Young Man
Bahaa Taher
The main character, Adil, is approached by a man from his past who has fallen to drugs. He is elderly and was once an esteemed member of society based on his mentions of other socially accepted mutual friends but has lost his business and his family due to his opium addiction. He walks beside Adil fr a long time begging for money, claiming change and promising treatment. Adil continues to walk but does not send himaway. As the story continues during th men's walk it is discovered that Adil had a colorful and somewhat similar period of his life. However Adil has a job and a promising future. Maybe its Adil's hostory or the connection with the old man but he cannot seem to end the conversation and tell the man no. At the end, when the man's desperate attempts to beg money end in his death Adil waivers about returning to the scene of the accident. He feels compelled on some level to help him, even in death. Adil finaly makes up his mind when he convinces hiself that the mans death will bring his children compensation and that is more than he is willing to give.
Glimpses from the Life of Mangoud Abdul Maugoud and Two Post Scripts
Yusif Sharouni
A complicated narrative that is out of sequence and told in first person as he recounts the events of his past that has shaped his perception of life. The story centers around the practice and rituals of marriage like many of these stories do, however its a different kind of marriage. He marries a daughter to continue the relationship he has with her widowed mother. When the daughter discovers them and takes her life his whole life changes. Her mother becomes distraught and withdrawn and he is under suspicion for the murder. His obsession with his dead wife's slippers leads to him killing her mother in an attempt to get them and the rest of his life he is internally tortured by his actions. He closes himself off from the rest of society and lives in fear he will be discovered. The story spans his life and his forlorn existence dealing with those events in his past. Its different from the other stories in the collection because it is very much centered on the thoughtd and delusions of the character as opposed to the social and cultural aspects of the situation.
Another Evening at the Club
Alifa Rifaat
It is almost a "Cinderella" story about a young girl with little money or standing being chosen by a wealthy older man as a wife. When she accidentally loses a ring and blames the servant, her husband handles the situation and the girl is arrested. When the wife finds the ring she makes an request to free the girl. Her husband again makes the final decision and does not renounce his charge against the servant. he also takes the ring to be sold and the wife is left with no choice. She has a brief moment of defiance against her station but as she looks around and reflects on her new position in life she finds a solace in the order of things she has not felt before. Despite her reservations for wrongly accusing the servant she is happy to be secured in her position in life.
The Cypriot Man
Tayeb Salih
A mix of dream and reality as a man struggles with temtation and greed. The
"Cypriot Man" is a symbol of lust, sin and greed and takes on many forms in the story. It is hard to determine what is real, symbolic or imagined. It is clear the man struggles with the temptation of flesh and the purpose of religion. It is unclear how it is resolved. The dreaded Cypriot Man reaks havoc on all characters in the story young and old and brings pain, confusion, death and despair in his wake.
Bahaa Taher
The main character, Adil, is approached by a man from his past who has fallen to drugs. He is elderly and was once an esteemed member of society based on his mentions of other socially accepted mutual friends but has lost his business and his family due to his opium addiction. He walks beside Adil fr a long time begging for money, claiming change and promising treatment. Adil continues to walk but does not send himaway. As the story continues during th men's walk it is discovered that Adil had a colorful and somewhat similar period of his life. However Adil has a job and a promising future. Maybe its Adil's hostory or the connection with the old man but he cannot seem to end the conversation and tell the man no. At the end, when the man's desperate attempts to beg money end in his death Adil waivers about returning to the scene of the accident. He feels compelled on some level to help him, even in death. Adil finaly makes up his mind when he convinces hiself that the mans death will bring his children compensation and that is more than he is willing to give.
Glimpses from the Life of Mangoud Abdul Maugoud and Two Post Scripts
Yusif Sharouni
A complicated narrative that is out of sequence and told in first person as he recounts the events of his past that has shaped his perception of life. The story centers around the practice and rituals of marriage like many of these stories do, however its a different kind of marriage. He marries a daughter to continue the relationship he has with her widowed mother. When the daughter discovers them and takes her life his whole life changes. Her mother becomes distraught and withdrawn and he is under suspicion for the murder. His obsession with his dead wife's slippers leads to him killing her mother in an attempt to get them and the rest of his life he is internally tortured by his actions. He closes himself off from the rest of society and lives in fear he will be discovered. The story spans his life and his forlorn existence dealing with those events in his past. Its different from the other stories in the collection because it is very much centered on the thoughtd and delusions of the character as opposed to the social and cultural aspects of the situation.
Another Evening at the Club
Alifa Rifaat
It is almost a "Cinderella" story about a young girl with little money or standing being chosen by a wealthy older man as a wife. When she accidentally loses a ring and blames the servant, her husband handles the situation and the girl is arrested. When the wife finds the ring she makes an request to free the girl. Her husband again makes the final decision and does not renounce his charge against the servant. he also takes the ring to be sold and the wife is left with no choice. She has a brief moment of defiance against her station but as she looks around and reflects on her new position in life she finds a solace in the order of things she has not felt before. Despite her reservations for wrongly accusing the servant she is happy to be secured in her position in life.
The Cypriot Man
Tayeb Salih
A mix of dream and reality as a man struggles with temtation and greed. The
"Cypriot Man" is a symbol of lust, sin and greed and takes on many forms in the story. It is hard to determine what is real, symbolic or imagined. It is clear the man struggles with the temptation of flesh and the purpose of religion. It is unclear how it is resolved. The dreaded Cypriot Man reaks havoc on all characters in the story young and old and brings pain, confusion, death and despair in his wake.
Snapshots of a Wedding
Bessie Head
Told from a thrid person perspective this short stories illustrates several viewpoints of a strategic wedding. The bride is pregnant and the groom is known to have another child on the way by a less educated girl in the villiage. The bride is describes as conceited and nasty, but had a good job and an education. The other girl, Mathata was described as warm and friendly, but poor. There were few traditional observences and few sentiments between the bride and the groom. He knew he was marrying for staus and not love. He had not made his visits to Mathata secret, nor his understanding of the type of woman he was actually marrying. It was humerous to hear all the characters described, no character was made to seem heroic or perfect. The mantra "Be a good wife" is ironic because you have to wonder if the aunt genuinely wants success for her neice or wants to avoid shame on the family.
Bessie Head
Told from a thrid person perspective this short stories illustrates several viewpoints of a strategic wedding. The bride is pregnant and the groom is known to have another child on the way by a less educated girl in the villiage. The bride is describes as conceited and nasty, but had a good job and an education. The other girl, Mathata was described as warm and friendly, but poor. There were few traditional observences and few sentiments between the bride and the groom. He knew he was marrying for staus and not love. He had not made his visits to Mathata secret, nor his understanding of the type of woman he was actually marrying. It was humerous to hear all the characters described, no character was made to seem heroic or perfect. The mantra "Be a good wife" is ironic because you have to wonder if the aunt genuinely wants success for her neice or wants to avoid shame on the family.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Arabic short stories
The Chair Carrier
Yusif Idris
This short piece narrated in first person depicts a modern day scene in the popular Opera Square in Cairo. The narrator describes a typical day except for the appearence of a large ornate chair making its way slowly through the crowd. There is a man carrying the chair who is described as an ancient Egyptian from the time of the pharrohs. His timeless journey with this chair continues because he is seeking an official command from someone who is descended from Ptah Ra. The storyteller finds a note on the chair, out of sight of the carrier, that gives him permission to release his burden. However, the carrier is from a time when those who ruled had absolute power over the people and would not accept the word of a man man on the street who did not possess a "token of authorization". This story describes through a tale of irony the patriotism and the respect for history that is prevelant in Egypt. I wonder if the internal debate of the narrator regarding helping the man, forcibly removing the chair or ending the long trek is a reflection of struggle moderm day Egyptians have with honoring the past and embracing the modernization of theior nation.
The Gap in Kaltouma's Fence
Ibrahim Ishaq Ibrahim
This is humorous story about reluctant older Sudenese people who are seeking life partners but are bound by customs in their society. They live close and she is widowed, but they are expected to act like young people preparing to wed. One incident where she walks between the houses and her groom to be is standing outside and she pauses in conflict on how to procede describes how nuch custom and tradition plays a part in all aspects of their lives. She could have simply continued walking between the yards, uncovered, a widow and not a virginal maid. However it is still considered unacceptable for any woman to walk uncovered in the presence of a male. When another woman came along and covered her she appeared to be in agreement with honoroing those customs. The narrator listens to the story and notes that she has always been one to laugh off or ignore some rituals of propriety. But faced with the proscect of not living alone and having a partner for life she chose to obey society and its strict standards. This short story made me appreciate how free we are to move in our house, among neighbors and frineds without having to obey such severe rules and expectations.
My Brother
Mohamed El-Bisatie
Sad story of an elder brother who describes living with his widowed mother and his retarded brother. It is never clear if there is an event that caused this or if it was that way since birth. The description of the run down house and the walks at night shows the family has been shunned by the other villagers. He works for the family and takes his brother out, at the insistence of their mom, only at night. to play and explore. He watches his mother try and placate a growing boy who does not know his own strengths and hurts both his mother and his brother without realizing it. The older brother talks about his father and the condition of the house before he died, but he does not mention how his father interacted with his brother. It gives the reader the idea that their father had nothing to do with his other, different son. Their mother's protective behavior towards the challenged child suggests that she was the only parent he has ever known. His walk at the end of the story with his brother on his back despite the pain illustartes how much he loves him.
At a Woman's house
Mohammed Ahmed Abdul Wali
This story strays away from the strict social conscious members of Arabic society and features characters whose focus in life are secret trysts and doing drugs. The narrator is a man looking after a woman's crying child while wishing he was sleeping with her neighbor. The child is decscribed as fatherless, skinny and sickly; the setting is a filthy apartment with minimal comforts. The man is resentful because her neighbor, Saadiyya was supposed to meet him for a date. However there is another neighbor man who is also chewing qat leaves on his door while his wife is noisily having sex with another man. She cast him and his drugs out of the house and his loitering is preventing the man from meeting the other girl without conflict. The characters actions are mostly illegal, immoral and are done with a nonapologetic attitude. The man is resenting watching the child until he realizes that the mother will most likely reward him with a sexual favor. His attitude changes and he is no longer mad about missing his previous tryst because he will simply meet his needs with the mother of the child he is watching. Disregard for human connections and emotions and a focus on satisfying the baser needs of life is well illustrated in this piece.
Yusif Idris
This short piece narrated in first person depicts a modern day scene in the popular Opera Square in Cairo. The narrator describes a typical day except for the appearence of a large ornate chair making its way slowly through the crowd. There is a man carrying the chair who is described as an ancient Egyptian from the time of the pharrohs. His timeless journey with this chair continues because he is seeking an official command from someone who is descended from Ptah Ra. The storyteller finds a note on the chair, out of sight of the carrier, that gives him permission to release his burden. However, the carrier is from a time when those who ruled had absolute power over the people and would not accept the word of a man man on the street who did not possess a "token of authorization". This story describes through a tale of irony the patriotism and the respect for history that is prevelant in Egypt. I wonder if the internal debate of the narrator regarding helping the man, forcibly removing the chair or ending the long trek is a reflection of struggle moderm day Egyptians have with honoring the past and embracing the modernization of theior nation.
The Gap in Kaltouma's Fence
Ibrahim Ishaq Ibrahim
This is humorous story about reluctant older Sudenese people who are seeking life partners but are bound by customs in their society. They live close and she is widowed, but they are expected to act like young people preparing to wed. One incident where she walks between the houses and her groom to be is standing outside and she pauses in conflict on how to procede describes how nuch custom and tradition plays a part in all aspects of their lives. She could have simply continued walking between the yards, uncovered, a widow and not a virginal maid. However it is still considered unacceptable for any woman to walk uncovered in the presence of a male. When another woman came along and covered her she appeared to be in agreement with honoroing those customs. The narrator listens to the story and notes that she has always been one to laugh off or ignore some rituals of propriety. But faced with the proscect of not living alone and having a partner for life she chose to obey society and its strict standards. This short story made me appreciate how free we are to move in our house, among neighbors and frineds without having to obey such severe rules and expectations.
My Brother
Mohamed El-Bisatie
Sad story of an elder brother who describes living with his widowed mother and his retarded brother. It is never clear if there is an event that caused this or if it was that way since birth. The description of the run down house and the walks at night shows the family has been shunned by the other villagers. He works for the family and takes his brother out, at the insistence of their mom, only at night. to play and explore. He watches his mother try and placate a growing boy who does not know his own strengths and hurts both his mother and his brother without realizing it. The older brother talks about his father and the condition of the house before he died, but he does not mention how his father interacted with his brother. It gives the reader the idea that their father had nothing to do with his other, different son. Their mother's protective behavior towards the challenged child suggests that she was the only parent he has ever known. His walk at the end of the story with his brother on his back despite the pain illustartes how much he loves him.
At a Woman's house
Mohammed Ahmed Abdul Wali
This story strays away from the strict social conscious members of Arabic society and features characters whose focus in life are secret trysts and doing drugs. The narrator is a man looking after a woman's crying child while wishing he was sleeping with her neighbor. The child is decscribed as fatherless, skinny and sickly; the setting is a filthy apartment with minimal comforts. The man is resentful because her neighbor, Saadiyya was supposed to meet him for a date. However there is another neighbor man who is also chewing qat leaves on his door while his wife is noisily having sex with another man. She cast him and his drugs out of the house and his loitering is preventing the man from meeting the other girl without conflict. The characters actions are mostly illegal, immoral and are done with a nonapologetic attitude. The man is resenting watching the child until he realizes that the mother will most likely reward him with a sexual favor. His attitude changes and he is no longer mad about missing his previous tryst because he will simply meet his needs with the mother of the child he is watching. Disregard for human connections and emotions and a focus on satisfying the baser needs of life is well illustrated in this piece.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Feb 6 Africa
A Conversation from the Third Floor
Mohamed El-Bisatie
This is a descriptive story that focuses on the setting and its changes to move the story forward. The woman is not described, the baby is mentioned just briefly and the husband is never fully seen. The policeman, the guard and the prison are described in great length. The conversation between the husband and wife is mundane and typical of a normal visit between spouses who are separated. There is talk of the house, repairs, the state of the children and the plans for the upcoiming season change. Its the state of thr guard and the policeman that suggest to the reader that this couple is not ordinary, and the conversation, despite its contents is not as mundane as originally assumed. During these times, in this region visits with prisoners are not poermissable and it is suggested that the wife makes it possible through unknown powers of persuarion. After the conversation she assumes her normal role in life, provider for care of the baby and a devoted spouse content to sit outside the tall inaccessible prison where her husband resides.
Papa, Snake & I
B. L. Honwana
This story is told from the perspective of Ginho who is struggling with being not quite a child and not yet a man in the eyes of his family and neighbors. He is conflicted about going hunting as usual, a childish habit or attempting to take care of the snake that is residing in the family chicken coop. He is mean to his younger brother becaue he is afraid and unsure of the decision to go ahead and hunt the snake. He is also confused with the presence of Sartina. She is waiting for his older brother, but Ginho has begun to have new feelings regarding her and it adds to his inner conflict as well. His decision to hunt the snake results in a kill, but it also results in problems for his father because the snake bites the Counselor's dog while Ginho watches without prventing it. This detailed story illustrates his struggling between roles but it also respresents his relationship with his family. His father and him talk as equals and in a few short statements manage to convey their thoughts about family, politics and love. As he goes to bed he forces himself to think of the girl as opposed to having nightmares about the deaths he saw that day.
The Bridegroom
Nadine Gordimer
A man who is never given a name goes through the otions of his routine as a Roads Department supervisor outside of Francistown. The other people are describes as black, so he must not be or must be froma different region. He is a leader in charge of many people and routines, but he is giddy with the proscpect of bringing his wife home in a matter of days. The story is very detailed about his routine and the people around him and he relishes in his nightly rituals. While reflecting on his place in life and his life in the Roads Department he is trying to imagine what it will be like with his wife by his side.
The Betrayal
Ahmed Essop
Dr Kamal is the president of the political group the Oriental Front and has waited years to reach his position. However he believes young people should be politicslly minded and diud nothing as a group of young people he has mentored formed a political group that threatened to effect his. The leader of the Youth League planned to address the Oriental Front and was prepared to illustrate his groups power. The Dr, knowing it was going to be a futile attempt watched as chaos broke out among the groups. He stayed to watch knowing he was the catalyst for the action, but proved he was a coward again and fled. This, to me, is why politics are a waste because the leader fled...but only after he started the opposition in the first place. And these people lead our countries and make decisions for the people.
Protista
Dambudzo Marechera
Symbolic story about a man in exile. He longs for his wife, Maria and he recalls his childhood from his sick bed. His life of exile was one of rejection and loss before he was ever sentenced. He talks of dreams and situations where he was cast out, marked and haunted. Although he is not of sound mind, the images he recalls speak of a life of loss and pain. When he talks of becoming part of the hut he oddly enough feels empowered by this. At the end he is the manfish and this is significant because he was told a manfish was once someone who drowned and calls to children and others to join him in his watery grave. His proclaiment that he is a manfish gives him power and dignity in his last moments of a man exiled in a dry and barren place.
The Coffee Cart Girl
Ezekiel Mphahlele
Pinkie and China are part of the lowerclass trying to make a living when jobs and security are scarce. There is a start of a love affair that is never actualized because they are at the mercy of their class. China becomes distraught over Pinkie's talks with a cheapjack. While he owns his own tiny shop, he is just as much a prosoner to the political forces as they are. China is jealous of his standing and an act of almost-violence ends his relationship with Pinkie. She does not fight back, even against him. In the end Pinkie loses her cart, the cheapjack is gone and China sees how helpless they all truly are.
Mohamed El-Bisatie
This is a descriptive story that focuses on the setting and its changes to move the story forward. The woman is not described, the baby is mentioned just briefly and the husband is never fully seen. The policeman, the guard and the prison are described in great length. The conversation between the husband and wife is mundane and typical of a normal visit between spouses who are separated. There is talk of the house, repairs, the state of the children and the plans for the upcoiming season change. Its the state of thr guard and the policeman that suggest to the reader that this couple is not ordinary, and the conversation, despite its contents is not as mundane as originally assumed. During these times, in this region visits with prisoners are not poermissable and it is suggested that the wife makes it possible through unknown powers of persuarion. After the conversation she assumes her normal role in life, provider for care of the baby and a devoted spouse content to sit outside the tall inaccessible prison where her husband resides.
Papa, Snake & I
B. L. Honwana
This story is told from the perspective of Ginho who is struggling with being not quite a child and not yet a man in the eyes of his family and neighbors. He is conflicted about going hunting as usual, a childish habit or attempting to take care of the snake that is residing in the family chicken coop. He is mean to his younger brother becaue he is afraid and unsure of the decision to go ahead and hunt the snake. He is also confused with the presence of Sartina. She is waiting for his older brother, but Ginho has begun to have new feelings regarding her and it adds to his inner conflict as well. His decision to hunt the snake results in a kill, but it also results in problems for his father because the snake bites the Counselor's dog while Ginho watches without prventing it. This detailed story illustrates his struggling between roles but it also respresents his relationship with his family. His father and him talk as equals and in a few short statements manage to convey their thoughts about family, politics and love. As he goes to bed he forces himself to think of the girl as opposed to having nightmares about the deaths he saw that day.
The Bridegroom
Nadine Gordimer
A man who is never given a name goes through the otions of his routine as a Roads Department supervisor outside of Francistown. The other people are describes as black, so he must not be or must be froma different region. He is a leader in charge of many people and routines, but he is giddy with the proscpect of bringing his wife home in a matter of days. The story is very detailed about his routine and the people around him and he relishes in his nightly rituals. While reflecting on his place in life and his life in the Roads Department he is trying to imagine what it will be like with his wife by his side.
The Betrayal
Ahmed Essop
Dr Kamal is the president of the political group the Oriental Front and has waited years to reach his position. However he believes young people should be politicslly minded and diud nothing as a group of young people he has mentored formed a political group that threatened to effect his. The leader of the Youth League planned to address the Oriental Front and was prepared to illustrate his groups power. The Dr, knowing it was going to be a futile attempt watched as chaos broke out among the groups. He stayed to watch knowing he was the catalyst for the action, but proved he was a coward again and fled. This, to me, is why politics are a waste because the leader fled...but only after he started the opposition in the first place. And these people lead our countries and make decisions for the people.
Protista
Dambudzo Marechera
Symbolic story about a man in exile. He longs for his wife, Maria and he recalls his childhood from his sick bed. His life of exile was one of rejection and loss before he was ever sentenced. He talks of dreams and situations where he was cast out, marked and haunted. Although he is not of sound mind, the images he recalls speak of a life of loss and pain. When he talks of becoming part of the hut he oddly enough feels empowered by this. At the end he is the manfish and this is significant because he was told a manfish was once someone who drowned and calls to children and others to join him in his watery grave. His proclaiment that he is a manfish gives him power and dignity in his last moments of a man exiled in a dry and barren place.
The Coffee Cart Girl
Ezekiel Mphahlele
Pinkie and China are part of the lowerclass trying to make a living when jobs and security are scarce. There is a start of a love affair that is never actualized because they are at the mercy of their class. China becomes distraught over Pinkie's talks with a cheapjack. While he owns his own tiny shop, he is just as much a prosoner to the political forces as they are. China is jealous of his standing and an act of almost-violence ends his relationship with Pinkie. She does not fight back, even against him. In the end Pinkie loses her cart, the cheapjack is gone and China sees how helpless they all truly are.
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