Storytelling
The name of the vizier's daughter who bravely told stories to liberate women.
Who is Shahrazad?
It's the job title of someone who sells goods in the marketplace.
What is a merchant?
Even if it can be delayed, this is a power believed to control what happens in life.
What is fate?
"I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, princess, now when did you last..."
"...let your heart decide."
He transforms Aladdin's pet monkey into an elephant.
Aladdin's Genie
A good storyteller can pause the narrative at an exciting point, leaving the audience in suspense, maybe even dangling on one of these.
What is a cliffhanger?
This job title is for a high ranking official who (often jealously) gave advice to the sultan.
What is a vizier?
What is magic?
"Come on and whisper what it is you want. You ain't..."
"...never had a friend like me."
He builds Aladdin his own palace overnight.
The Nights Jinni
This type of narrative tells a story within a story.
What is a frame narrative?
It's the job title of the man who said, poetically, "Glory to the Lord who blesses and withholds: One casts the line, the other eats the sole."
What is a fisherman?
Aladdin finds another way to change his fate by observing the merchants trading, which allows him to understand this.
What is wealth?
"Riff raff, street rat. I don't buy that. If only they'd look closer. Would they see a poor boy, no siree. They'd find out..."
"...there's so much more to meeeeee."
He steals away the princess and her husband on their wedding night.
The Night's Jinni
A story that can be changed, adapted, or added to over time.
What is an evolving text?
No bones about it! If this character's daughter hadn't recognized the 2nd Old Man, he might still be a dog!
What is the butcher?
Shahrazad takes a risk telling King Shahriyar stories about this, since his revenge against women is based on his own experience.
What is marital infidelity / cheating?
"One jump ahead of the lawman. One jump, and that's no joke. These guys..."
"...don't appreciate I'm broke."
He is helped in supporting Aladdin's wishes by his good buddy, a flying carpet.
Aladdin's Genie
The author of Aladdin, Antoine Galland, was French. He was told the story by Hanna Diyab, a storyteller who was this nationality.
What is Syrian?
Before he became a talking head, the wise Duban held this job and helped King Yunan out of an itchy situation.
What is a doctor?
The moral of the story of King Yunan and the Wise Duban is not kill people who are doing good, which relates to this theme.
What is justice?
"Now Ali Baba had him 40 thieves. Shahrazad had..."
this many tales.
What is 1000?
He creates a lavish parade for Aladdin's introduction to the sultan, which wins the sultan over.
Both!