One's identity contributes to many aspects of their life; most importantly, their life experiences. Experiences are shaped by different parts of one's identity, as shown in "The Hitchhiking Game," "Zaabalawi," and "The Guest." In each of these short stories, each protagonist has a component of their identity that is essentially the basis of the experience the story tells. Whether these components are insecurity, health, or morality, they all shape the owner's experiences in different ways.
"The Hitchhiking Game" is a prime example of how one's self esteem shapes their actions, and in turn, their experiences. In this story, a young couple plays a twisted game in which they pretend to be strangers, but they end up trapped within the game. The young woman, believing that her boyfriend preferred lasciviousness…show more content… The schoolmaster, Daru, holds himself to an extremely high standard and has clear morals. But he is forced to decide to release the Arab or to allow him to escape. "That man's stupid crime revolted him, but to hand him over was contrary to honor. Merely thinking of it made him smart with humiliation." (824) While handing a criminal over to a prison may seem justifiable, Daru's morals tell him that it is not ethical to do so. Daru stresses over this decision, and as the deadline to hand the Arab over approaches, he cannot take it any longer. Instead of deciding another man's future, he forces the Arab to choose, providing him means to escape, but leaving him on the hill above the prison. When he sees that the Arab chose to turn him in, he is burdened, and unable to forgive himself. Daru's identity as an ethical person caused him to strain his ideals, forever regretting not being able to make a decision. If he wasn't so honorable, Daru would've been able to make a decision without lingering over it. This experience may prove traumatic to Daru, as he has broken his moral
