1. Iqbal Novel Study Name: Marielle Manulu
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:
When Iqbal state that quote, He means that Child Labour isn’t right. They should
enjoy their lives by being with their families/ love ones, playing, having a good
education, being loved and respected, and not being chained to their loom in a very
young age, working dawn to dusk.Iqbal is trying to tell them that he wanted to do
something, something that will take them to freedom, telling that they shouldn’t just
stand their, work, work, work for nothing, like Fatima. In our place, people don’t chain
children because wrong, we only chain animals, and objects, but not children. Children
are not animals or objects they are people and have rights to be free.
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

2. 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
Passage 3
In that small quote, there are many words stood up. Many words that describe Iqbal.
Iqbal is being courageous, brave, and serious. Courageous because he is telling Fatima
that he will do whatever happens just to fly a kite. He is brave because he could tell and
think about the future, and only Iqbal can do that, children could not talk about their
future because they believe that their debt will never be canceled and their future will
be full of sadness (For example, Fatima work for Hussain Khan for 3 years but the slate
will never be erase). But Iqbal, he believed that their debt will cancel and he will never
give up. I could tell that he is being serious by speaking in a low voice and saying that
“whatever happens”. Also, the author chose kite because kite represent freedom and
children will enjoy playing with it. Finally, Iqbal wanted to do something, to escape, to
fly a kite.
* 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:
Fatima was stating that quote to herself. Sowing the seed means planting a seed
in the garden and will growinto a small plant then into a tree. The author means that
Iqbal has planteda seed to Fatima and other children’s hearts and minds.Iqbal has given
the children hope to fight for their rights, to have freedom, to be with their love ones.