Student Question

In "The Egypt Game", why did April become Neferbeth?

Quick answer:

April did not become Neferbeth; she chose the Egyptian name Bastet after a cat goddess. Neferbeth is the name given to Elizabeth Chung, a new girl who joins the Egypt game. Elizabeth is likened to Nefertiti by April, leading to her role as Queen Neferbeth. The name "Neferbeth" is a blend of "Nefertiti" and "Elizabeth," reflecting her resemblance to the ancient queen.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

April did not become Neferbeth. April took the Egyptian name Bastet. When the children are choosing hieroglyphs to symbolize their names, April remembers a cat goddess with earrings, Bastet, and chooses that name and symbol for herself.

Elizabeth Chung, a new girl who moves into the Casa Rosada, joins the Egypt game and becomes Neferbeth. Elizabeth is nine years old and Asian American. Shortly after April and Melanie allow Elizabeth to join the Egypt game, April catches a glimpse of Elizabeth sitting on the railing and looking up Orchard Avenue. In profile view, with her porcelain skin and jet black hair pulled away from her slender neck in a ponytail, Elizabeth looks surprisingly like Nefertiti, the ancient Egyptian queen, or so April thinks. The next time they get together to play the Egypt game, Elizabeth plays the role of Queen Neferbeth and Marshall finally gets to play the role of the young Pharaoh, Marshamosis. "Neferbeth" is a blend of the names Nefertiti and Elizabeth.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial