Chapters

symbol- “the dragon on the sugar bowl, meant to ward off evil.”

symbol- “the dragon on the sugar bowl, meant to ward off evil.”

The dragon on the sugar bowl symbolises warding of evil and when it breaks, it’s foreshadows.

Jalils name in arabic

Arabic for Greatness; Superiority; Revered, which is ironic considering Jalils ‘superiority’ in matters related to Mariam.

mataphor about harami

“Mariam did surmise, by the way Nana said the word, that it was an ugly, loath-some thing to be harami, like an insect, like the scurrying cockroaches Nana was always cursing and sweeping out of the kolba.”

Importance of this quote:
“a harami was an unwanted thing; that she, Mariam, was an illegitimate person who would never have legitimate claim to the things other people had, things such as love, family, home, acceptance.”

“a legitimate end to a life of illegitamite beginnings”

They illustrate Mariam's struggle for acceptance and the evolution of her character over time. Mariam's story is one of resilience and transformation, and these quotes help convey the emotional depth of her character and the broader themes of the novel, including the enduring human spirit and the power of redemption.

‘“you couldn’t stretch a leg here without poking a poet in the ass”

showing that when Mariam was born poetry was encouraged, but after the Taliban took over it was oppressed

Language and register in the first 2 chapters

The first two chapters use descriptive language.

Jinn

Jinn is actually a spirit (like genie) but nana actually has seizures, shows that nana was supertitous

perspectives on Jalil

There are 2 different perspectives on Jalil, interesting the readers and allowing the gauge whether jail was evil or not.

What is Jalil a symbol of

Jalil brings other parts of the world to Mariam, and when Mariam does get to see the rest of the world/afghanistan she cuts off ties with Jalil. When she looks for jail its scary as its not like the stories jail told her

Iran

Herat is closer to Iran (more Persian)

Others try to escape to Iran, Laila comes back from Iran

Mariams freedoms irony

When she was in the Kolba mariam had freedom to roam outside the kolba, wheras in rashes house she was limited

where is mariams identity formed

the kolba, Mariam talks a lot about the kolba, its such a deep connection that Laila can remember it

What do mariam, nana and jalil symbolize

“The children of strangers get ice cream. What do you get, Mariam? Stories of ice cream.”

Rasheed gets Mariam ice- cream (finish this flashcard)

“To Jalil and his wives, I was a pokeroot. A mugwort.

You too. And you weren't even born yet."

"What's a mugwort?" Mariam asked

"A weed," Nana said. "Something

you rip out and toss aside.”

This quote is important because it effectively conveys Mariam's early experiences of rejection and alienation, establishes key themes in the novel, and provides insight into the complex mother-daughter relationship between Mariam and Nana. It serves as a powerful symbol of Mariam's emotional struggles and her quest for acceptance and belonging.

“It did not occur to young Mariam to ponder the unfairness of apologizing for the manner of her own birth.”

his quote is significant because it highlights the unfairness and gender-based expectations placed on Mariam from a young age, foreshadowing her later struggles with identity and self-worth. It also serves as a reflection of the broader societal issues and gender inequalities addressed in the novel.

“If the girl wants to learn, let her, my dear.

Let the girl have an education." "Learn? Learn what, Mullah sahib?" Nana

said sharply. "What is there to learn?”

Shows the dififference between her and Laila’s upbringing.

What is the main theme in chapters 3 and 4