<Essay Question:1
Narrate the storyline of the short story “Doves on the Wing” by Salwa Bakr. How does the story highlight the vulnerability of ordinary people?
Answer: The story “Doves on the Wing” is set on a crowded city bus in Egypt. The bus carries thirty-five passengers, including workers, a young soldier, a mother with her child, and ordinary citizens from different walks of life. Three thieves board the bus at different stops to carry out a planned robbery. Each thief has a specific role: one is experienced and scarred, another is agile and quick, and the third is observant and coordinates the operation.
At gunpoint, the thieves order all passengers, except the driver, to raise their hands. Some passengers are asleep and wake up in fear, while others comply silently. A small boy on his mother’s lap initially thinks he is playing a game called “Doves on the Wing”. The mother is concerned about her child and her goose but hides her money safely. The thieves systematically take money, watches, and valuables from the passengers. Some passengers, like the young soldier and the conductor, are spared because the thieves assume they have nothing valuable.
The thieves comment that the passengers “have been robbed before,” which indicates that ordinary citizens are already exploited by society and are vulnerable to repeated hardship. The story highlights the social conditions of the city, including poverty, inequality, and the helplessness of ordinary people. The title symbolizes the fragility and innocence of the passengers, like doves exposed to danger.
Overall, the story narrates a robbery incident while portraying the vulnerability of ordinary citizens, the social inequalities in urban life, and human behavior under stress. Salwa Bakr emphasizes the psychological and social impact of crime, making the story both realistic and insightful.>
<Essay Question:2
Discuss the reactions of the passengers during the robbery in “Doves on the Wing”. How do their responses reflect human behavior under fear?
Answer:
The story vividly portrays how passengers on the bus respond differently when faced with a robbery, highlighting the effects of fear and stress on human behavior. When the three thieves board the bus and threaten everyone at gunpoint, the passengers are initially shocked and alarmed. Some passengers are frightened and immediately comply with the thieves’ demands, quietly surrendering their money, watches, and other valuables to avoid physical harm. Their reaction reflects self-preservation and obedience under threat, which is a natural human response when faced with danger.
Others on the bus remain calm, but they follow instructions obediently without resisting. This calm compliance demonstrates discipline and the understanding that resistance could escalate the danger. The mother on the bus is particularly concerned about her child and her possessions, such as her goose, but she cleverly hides her money in a safe place, showing both fear and resourcefulness. The young boy on her lap initially thinks he is playing the game “Doves on the Wing”, imagining that raising his hands is part of a playful activity. His innocence contrasts sharply with the real danger, reflecting how children perceive threatening situations differently.
Some passengers, like the farmer, maintain silence to protect personal valuables, such as a gold crown in his mouth. Others, such as a young soldier, are confused and unable to fully comprehend the situation, showing hesitation and shock in moments of high stress. The varied reactions of the passengers illustrate how fear affects decision-making, with each individual acting according to their personality, past experiences, and perception of risk.
Overall, the story demonstrates that in stressful and threatening circumstances, humans exhibit a range of responses—from fear, helplessness, and resignation to cautious resourcefulness and compliance. Salwa Bakr uses these reactions to reflect the vulnerability of ordinary citizens and how social and economic conditions make them more susceptible to exploitation. The passengers’ behavior in the story provides a realistic insight into human psychology under stress and emphasizes the impact of fear on everyday people in urban environments.>
<Essay: 3
Comment on the Ending Comment in “Doves on the Wing” by Salwa Bakr
The story “Doves on the Wing” concludes with a significant remark made by the thieves that the passengers “have been robbed before.” This comment is both literal and symbolic. Literally, it shows that the passengers have experienced theft and are familiar with such incidents. Symbolically, it highlights the repeated exploitation of ordinary citizens in society. Salwa Bakr uses this statement to deliver a subtle social critique, showing that vulnerability, inequality, and systemic neglect are part of the lives of ordinary people in urban Egypt. The passengers’ calm and resigned behavior during the robbery underscores this point, revealing how frequent exposure to danger and exploitation shapes human responses.
The remark points to the social and economic conditions that make ordinary people susceptible to crime. The citizens are poor, defenseless, and lack protection, making them easy targets for criminals. The story emphasizes that crime in such environments is often not just a random act but a result of systemic weakness and societal neglect. The thieves’ observation also reflects a cynical awareness of social conditions, suggesting that exploitation occurs on multiple levels—not just by criminals but also through the policies and inefficiencies of authorities.
Salwa Bakr uses the innocent perspective of the small boy to reinforce the contrast between vulnerability and exploitation. The boy believes he is playing the game “Doves on the Wing” as he raises his hands with the other passengers. This contrast between his innocent perception and the real threat posed by the thieves emphasizes the fragility and helplessness of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable, like children and women. The mother’s careful protection of her possessions shows the daily strategies people use to cope with their exposure to risk.
The ending comment also reflects human behavior under stress. The passengers comply silently, some showing fear, some resignation, and some careful calculation to protect their valuables. Their reactions indicate that they are socially conditioned to accept exploitation, highlighting the psychological effects of repeated exposure to unfairness. Through this, the story critiques not just crime but the broader social and economic structures that allow ordinary citizens to remain vulnerable.
Moreover, the remark underscores the recurring nature of exploitation in society. People in similar circumstances repeatedly face financial and social hardships. By including this comment at the end, Salwa Bakr encourages the reader to reflect on the systemic inequalities and government neglect that leave citizens unprotected. It also brings attention to the moral responsibility of society to safeguard vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the ending of the story serves as a powerful social commentary. The thieves’ remark that the passengers “have been robbed before” emphasizes repeated exploitation, societal neglect, and the vulnerability of ordinary people. Salwa Bakr uses this to highlight the fragility of human life, the psychological impact of fear, and the social and economic inequalities that enable crime to thrive. The comment deepens the reader’s understanding of the story’s themes, including innocence, vulnerability, human behavior under stress, and social critique, leaving a lasting impression about the real-life challenges faced by ordinary citizens in urban environments.>