The Child From the Village: Patriotism and Authority

In reading the ending of The Child From the Village, there is a growing sense of patriotism and fear of certain members of authority from outside of the community. Qutb's love of books and reading, in conjunction with his father's nationalist meetings, inspired Qutb to have a growing sense of nationalist pride and concern for events that affected the village.

The story Qutb tells after this inspiration of patriotism about the confiscation of weapons creates an interesting sense of the negative results that come from authority. While Qutb has respect for the authoritative hierarchy within the village, the soldiers who come into the village are cruel and hated. The fear that is immediately associated with them (although the fear of the soldiers is obviously a legitimate one) echoes Qutb's earlier descriptions of the doctors.

The ending of the work sheds light on Qutb's future as he heads off to Cairo to continue his education. His concern for his families workers who have less than him, as well as his mother's fear over loss of money and honor create the set-up for Qutb's later success in education as well as his drive to change the world around him.