1. Iqbal Novel Study Name Paulo Emeterio
Quotable Passages Date: January 31 2012
TOTAL: ________/15 marks
There are many quotable passages from chapter 7 in Iqbal. Below are four
important quotes.
You must respond critically to Passage 1 and Passage 4. Then choose either
Passage 2 OR 3 to reflect on.
In your response, consider commenting on some of the following: special
meaning, connection to a character’s thoughts and feelings, or why this quote
makes you think and want to know more.
You can write your response directly beneath the passage.
* PASSAGE 1
“It means that this kind of life isn’t right. We should return to our families; we
shouldn’t be chained to our looms and forced to work like slaves.” Page 50
RESPONSE:
The significance of this passage is this quote is about child labour. When iqbal said that
this life isn’t fair what he meant was that children should not be treated like animals
they should be free and children should be treated the same and have the same basic
human right as a normal kid would have. When iqbal said that they should return to
their families I agree with him because all children should be in their families because it
is were the placed they are loved, cared, nourished, and it is the placed were they get
their basics need for every day life. Also children should not be chained to their loom.
They should not be chained because I believe that children are not animals that can be
chained. Children are humans to they should be treated with respect and care .Lastly
children should not be forced to wok like slaves. They should not be working as slaves
because children are not any other investment that could be bought and sold .Children
should be free. Iqbal said this because he believes that CHILD LABOUR wrong. (Also
children should be free and have the right of education and the right to play)

2. PASSAGE 2
‘There was a precise rule among us: Never talk about the future. Not a single one of us
dared to say, “next summer,” or “in a year,” or, “when I’m grown up.” Oh yes, we
talked about things we liked to do, and we talked about the day our debt would be
cancelled. We talked that hope into the ground. But nobody really believed it. It was
sort of litany, a way to feel good. Otherwise what was left to us?’ Page 53
PASSAGE 3
“Fatima,” he said in a low voice, “next spring you and I are going to fly a kite.
Remember that, whatever happens.” Page 54
RESPONSE: PASSAGE 2
The meaning of this quote is when the children said that the never talk about the future
is because it was too painful for them if they talk about their future. It is painful for
them because if they ever talk about the future it will just get their hope and dreams up,
which the children thinks will never happen because the debt in their slate is never
erased. The children would talk about the thing they would like to do and when their
debt will be cancelled. They talk about that because so they would not have to talk
about the future and how is it really painful and they keep talking about their debt will
be cancelled because it was their only hope to get out of this factory.Iqbal was the kind
of person that wasn’t giving up. Iqbal has the confidence to talk about the future and
giving them hope .
* Chapter 8 - PASSAGE 4
‘Before Iqbal’s arrival I had been resigned to my life. I couldn’t even imagine a
different one. Iqbal had sown the seeds of hope in all of us.’ Page 62
RESPONSE:
The meaning of this quote is that before iqbal arrived their life was the same and it
never changes. The children in the factory feel like giving up because they keep doing
the same work every day there is no different and no changed. When iqbal arrived he
was like a farmer because he planted hope into every single one of the kids in the
factory. He did this by caring for them and never giving up on them by showing them
that their debt will never be cancelled. Iqbal never gave up on giving hope to the
children in the factory. Iqbal is like a farmer that will take care of his garden by watering
and weeding. Iqbal was the seed. The seed of freedom .