Chapters 1-5
Chapters 6-12
Chapters 13-15
What's in the Kolba? (MISC)
100
A young, illegitimate child who wishes to be accepted into her father's life; a bitter, older woman who is envious of her child's father.
Who is Mariam, and who is Nana?
100
What roles does Jalil's wives play in Mariam's "new life"?
What is they provide her an opportunity to marry because of her family loss. They also pressure her later on throughout the novel.
100
Describe a few examples of how Rasheed has "redeeming qualities."
What is he takes Mariam around the city, he wants to be a good parent (and does proper preparations), he is very conscientious of her pregnancy, he provides, etc.
100
How does Nana perceive Jalil? Why?
What is she feels envious and jealous over Jalil because he provides for Mariam meanwhile she also feels marginalized and neglected. Jalil is wealthy and is unmarried to Nana, therefore, she does not get all the benefits that she normally would because she is a poor and a secret.
200
...a rich movie theater owner who lives in Herat. To his illegitimate daughter, and he is an amazing father - and a paragon of virtue - but to his daughter's mother, he has neglected his obligations to his family.
Who is Jalil?
200
Describe Rasheed in detail.
What is he's a huge man who owns a shoe repair shop, and he is significantly older than Mariam. Rasheed has a troubled past, as his first wife and son have both died. Rasheed is very stern, has a hot temper, and has high hopes for having children, specifically boys.
200
Describe a few examples of how Rasheed has "evil" qualities.
What is he has anger issues, he controls her, criticizes her cooking, and most recently, made her chew on pebbles and break her molars and bleed.
200
What are the implications of Mariam's multiple miscarriages?
What is Rasheed is getting frustrated and more abusive because he wants to have a child, and Mariam is the way to do it.
300
What happened between Nana and Jalil? Include their relationship in the beginning, the middle, and the end?
Nana was Jalil's housekeeper; he had an affair with her, and thus, they have Mariam. Jalil is holding up to his obligations as a father, but Nana is too envious to accept it.
300
During Rasheed and Mariam's wedding, what was the prime example of foreshadowing?
What is Rasheed forced his wedding ring on her finger.
300
What happens to Mariam in the bathhouse?
What is she has a miscarriage of her first child; she feels very guilty and cannot face the reality. She tries to make it normal.
300
Who is Mullah Faizullah? What does he provided for Mariam?
What is he is Mariam's Koran tutor and trusted confidant. He provides her hope for an education and encouragement.
400
Chapter 5 is the turning point of Part I: what does Mariam do to defy Nana?
What is go out to this city to try to see her "family" and Jalil; however, she is ignored and rejected.
400
Describe Mariam's adjustment to marriage life from beginning to the end of Part I.
What is she feels like Rasheed is a stranger to her, she doesn't unpack her bag and sleeps in the guest room, she sometimes feel like he respects her, but often feels scared, does domestic duties....
400
How does Rasheed treat Mariam when he discusses politics (i.e: Mir Akbar Khyber)?
What is he treats her as if she is totally ignorant (which she is, but that is because he does not allow her to be educated), and feels she is stupid because she doesn't even understand basic communism.
400
mean; cruel
What is wretched?
500
What happens to Mariam's mother unexpectedly? How does Mariam feel?
What is she commits suicide, and Mariam feels immense guilt (she believes it's her fault because she left to go to the city despite what Nana said.)
500
Describe Mariam's rummage of Rasheed's belongings. What insight does this provide?
What is she finds inappropriate photographs of women (hypocritical as he deems modern Afghani women as wrong) and photos of his ex-wife and son. The ex-wife looks scared.
500
Describe instances of Mariam's fear in her marriage.
She trembles and feels nervous to prepare meals, in house cleaning, and also that she keeps miscarrying (she has 7!) which makes Rasheed very frustrated at her.
500
merrily; joyfully
What is jovial?
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