A Master of Djinn

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Download PDF

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapters 16-18

Chapters 19-21

Chapters 22-24

Chapters 25-27

Chapter 28-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Character Analysis

Fatma el-Sha’arawi

Because Fatma el-Sha’arawi is a recurring character from Clark’s earlier installments and also a detective, she exhibits little character growth throughout the story. Rather, her role in driving the plot forward takes priority. Like many fictional detectives, she is work-driven, pursuing her investigation relentlessly. Though skilled with a sword, she disapproves of violence and uses it only as a last resort.

Described as a woman with a boyish face who appreciates Western men’s suits, Fatma indicates Clark’s interest in subverting standard gender roles in literature. Fatma’s sexuality is also present in the story without being required for it. Clark has received praise for this decision, as it allows for an LGBTQ icon without making the character’s sexuality a defining part of her character or the plot, as is common for other characters belonging to minority groups. Fatma is fully developed on the page, executing the same functions for plots that straight characters have traditionally performed.

Abigail Worthington

Opposite the fully fleshed-out female protagonist is another woman who is competent and ambitious enough to be a worthy villain. Abigail Worthington takes full advantage of the tendency for people to underestimate women, manipulating that prejudice to divert suspicion away from herself. In this way, she is comparable to the “femme fatale” archetype from noir and detective fiction, using her sexuality—albeit an unconventional aspect of it—to manipulate those around her. She is acutely aware that people will see what they expect, and even before accounting for the magic present in the world, this awareness makes her adept at creating illusions.

Abigail has nationalistic goals but does not necessarily understand the effects of her actions. Ultimately, she aims to appropriate the djinn, generally considered to give Egypt a cultural and militaristic advantage, for England—this goal closely parallels colonialism. It also calls to mind enslavement; as a colonizer, Abigail dominates the djinn and manipulates the humans into working for her. As such, her actions as an individual represent the effects of these national policies.

Siti

Siti’s racial background makes her significant for drawing several conclusions about the book. She is described as “Nubian.” While modern Nubia is a region in Sudan, its significance in A Master of Djinn is derived from literary depictions of Nubia, a neighboring empire to Egypt that is symbolic of Black heritage. One of the most notable depictions of Nubia comes from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida, in which the two kingdoms of Egypt and Nubia are at war, and an Egyptian leader falls in love with a Nubian princess. This example reflects Siti’s conflict in the book; her love for an Egyptian woman is potentially star-crossed if her family doesn’t approve of the relationship. Meanwhile, Siti also has two symbolic kingdoms, the humans and the djinn, at war within her. Furthermore, her Sudanese background gives her a nominal connection to al-Jahiz.

Although Siti’s disposition inclines her toward being conflicted, Siti remains unwaveringly devoted to Fatma. Conflicts such as the impostor forcing Siti to attack her lover don’t phase their relationship, and the reveal that Siti is part djinn only causes a momentary blip of doubt between them. Even when Siti withdraws from the story, it is done out of an apparent need to protect Fatma by keeping her distance. While lovers in many adventure or fantasy stories eventually “damsels in distress,” Siti fulfills more of a role of faithful partner.

Hadia

Hadia is young and inexperienced, but intelligent and capable. Hadia views Fatma as a mentor and role model, personally requesting to be assigned as Fatma’s partner in the agency. While Siti brings out an emotional side to Fatma, Hadia develops Fatma’s sense of professionalism.

Hadia’s presence indicates the importance of solidarity. Some time ago, Fatma had demanded the agency hire more women, to no avail; it is only now, as public pressure for women’s rights mounts, that the agency is yielding. One voice alone was insufficient to accomplish that change. Fatma also realizes, despite her wish to work alone, the few women in the agency cannot be seen fighting.

Hadia’s presence also demonstrates the many complex forces that people with less power in society often face in navigating self-determination. For example, Hadia’s devotion to Islam, which provides a religious counterpoint to her less devout partner, shows that faith can empower as well as oppress. This point is emphasized each time that Hadia uses her hijab as a tool to accomplish minor tasks.