Vocabulary
Chapters 16-19
Chapters 20-23
Chapters 24-26
What's in the Kolba?
100
beasts; savages
What is a brute?
100
Describe Babi?
He is short, womanly hands, and has narrow shoulders; he is taken advantage of often, very educated, likes to read--not very strong nor dominate in his relationship.
100
What historical landmark does Babi take Laila and Tariq to see? Which parallels are drawn between Babi's relationship and Laila and Tariq's at this experience?
What is Buddha, and it reminds Babi of when he was young with Mammy (Fariba) before she was older and depressed and filled with emptiness.
100
Laila ironically describes the bomb blasts as "blissfully elsewhere." What does she mean by this?
What is she is not happy that the bombs are going off, but finds bliss (happiness) in that it will help her motivate her family to move away.
100
in a loud and excited manner
What is boisterously?
200
unconquerable
What is indomitable?
200
How is Laila's teacher different from an American school teacher? How is she similiar?
Different: She hits them (slaps them), and she is supportive of the government in favor of the Soviet Union. Same: She wants fair treatment for all, including women, in terms of education.
200
Babi speaks about leaving Kabul, but Babi would not initially do this--why? Also, what does Laila not tell Babi about why she would not want to move away?
What is Babi is severely controlled by his wife, Fariba, who wants to stay in the area because she is waiting for her sons to return. Laila does not tell Babi that she wants to move away because of her feelings for Tariq.
200
What event causes Tariq to buy a gun?
Tariq starts to carry a gun for safety, and in June of 1992 the Pashtuns and Hazaras fight in Kabul.
200
Describe Laila’s relationship with Tariq’s family. Give details from the text that support your ideas.
They love Laila and see her as their own "daughter-in-law" for the future; they have her come over dinner and treat her well.
300
people who give their lives for their beliefs
What is a martyr?
300
Why does Laila wash herself thoroughly after the boys squirt her? How does she react to this situation?
She was squirted by Hakim with a water gun that was filled with urine. She felt embarrassed and ashamed.
300
What do Tariq and Laila say about marriage about while watching the movie? Why is it hypocritical?
What is they say that marriage is pointless and stupid--they bother agree that they "never want to get married." Really, the two are crazy in love with each other, and they don't want to reveal their true feelings. They would, in theory, be married based off of their feelings.
300
embarrassed
What is sheepish?
400
to destroy
What is obliterate?
400
What suggests that Mammy is depressed?
What is she barely converses with Laila, she rarely showers, never goes out, stares and waits for her sons Ahmad and Noor, etc.
400
What happens to Hasina? What happens to Giti?
What is Hasina is married off to her cousin, and Giti is killed as a result of the bombings.
400
Why does Laila say she cannot marry Tariq?
She feels obligated to fulfill her family's wishes, specifically for her father.
400
What “painful task” does Babi have in preparing to move?
What is decide which belongings should stay, and which belongings should go--specifically, his books are precious to him.
500
obvious
What is conspicuous?
500
What happens when Laila tells Tariq and Khadim about his squirt gun?
What is he takes off his prosthetic leg and goes to Khadim and hits him with his artificial leg.
500
What is the news that Fariba receives that dampers her spirits? What happens between Najibullah and Mujahideen, and how does this development affect Fariba.
What is she finds out that her sons, Ahmad and Noor, died in the war. Over the last three years, the Mujahideen have continued fighting on the borders and Najibullah has attempted to win over the Muslims by following Muslim traditions, himself. Finally, Najibullah steps down in April 1992 and all the soldiers return. Fariba, overjoyed, finally emerges from her sloth-like depression.
500
What happens to Laila's family and Laila at the end?
Hakim, Fariba, and Laila begin packing. Hakim has hard time letting go of his books, even quoting a poem to Laila while choosing which books to keep. A few days later, Laila remembers the dream or Tariq as she carries heavy boxes to the curb to be hauled away. As she contemplates the sound of sand singing, a whistling passes overhead and Laila is knocked off the ground and into the side of a building. Having survived the bombing, Laila fades in and out of consciousness. She catches glimpses of a long-faced woman taking care of her.
500
What can you infer has happened to Laila since the explosion?
What is she was knocked unconscious as a result of the bombing, her family was likely killed, and she is slowly recovering.
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