Ben Ali by Arthur Willis Colton
Ben Ali is a novel that explores the themes of identity, power dynamics, and social inequality through the lens of a fictional African country. The story follows the life of Ben Ali, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with his own identity and place in society after being released from prison. Through his experiences, Colton highlights the systemic injustices and oppression that are prevalent in many African countries, while also offering a message of hope and resilience. The novel has received critical acclaim for its thought-provoking themes and well-developed characters, and is considered a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary African literature.
By Arthur Willis Colton · First published 1925 · Genre: Adventure, Western, Historical Fiction · 133 words
First lines
PART I. WEST-EASTERLY MORALITIES
"Is it not written: 'When the truth is known,
Then only the king's mercy is his own'?
If then the king his servant will forgive
What this Textopian page supports
Ben Ali is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Willis Colton, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Arthur Willis Colton
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Western, Historical Fiction
- Length: 133 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ben Ali by Arthur Willis Colton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Ben Ali?
- How does this short story by Arthur Willis Colton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The book primarily focuses on the thrilling incidents and main character's endeavors.
- Western — The setting and narrative of the book display characteristics of the Western genre.
- Historical Fiction — The book references certain real historical events and contexts, albeit with fictional elements.
Tags
Dystopian · Science Fiction · Futuristic · Utopia · Social Commentary · Political Thriller · Conspiracy Theory · Technology · Revolution · Rebellion · Government Corruption · Totalitarianism