1. Iqbal Novel Study Name: Jennifer Lopez 8-73
Quotable Passages Date: Janurary, 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: This passage has significance because Iqbal is stating that the situation that
he and the children are in isn’t right. Iqbal is saying child labour is not right. They
shouldn’t be forced to work because they should be playing games, going to school and
having as much freedom they can use up. The children should return to their families
because that is the place where their life begun. This is also the place where they are
loved, respected, cared and this is where they are treated right. If you don’t have your
family, wouldn’t you feel incomplete? The children shouldn’t be chained to their looms
because children or any other human in the world are not objects or animals.They
should exchange the looms for school supplies like pens, pencils, notebook etc.
If these children have school supplies they can have an education and break the
cycle of poverty.Being chained to a loom will get us nowhere, us, humans won’t
experience a life if we are controlledby humansor chained to something. Neither
children nor any human should be a slave;they don’t have freedom or choice.
Children are humans, we are not trading cards that are bought, used then sold again.

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: PASSAGE2
The significance of this quotable passage is that these children don’t dare to talk about
the future because to them it will just be too painful. They don’t say “in a year” or
“when I’m grown up”, because they think their fate has already been decided for them
which is making for carpets for Hussain Khan.Iqbal is the only one with the
confidence and hope that the children don’t have yet.The children lost hope
because after being in the Carpet factory for 3 years, Fatima’s slate hasn’t changed a
single bit. The children talk about memories or what they like in life because it takes
their minds off thinking about the future. Their just too scared to think about the future
ahead as they know it will just be too painful.
* 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 significance of this passage is that Fatima is talking about how before
Iqbal came; she had no hope for another life. She thought there was no hope of going
back to her family and living a happy life. Fatima couldn’t imagine another life because
her slate every night looked the same so she may not be able to get out of the life she is
in right now. Fatima says that Iqbal has done a lot for them, he found their center and
gave them the hope they have been waiting for. I guess you can say that Iqbal is a
farmer who plants a seed in every child and waters them everyday so not only

3. will they grow but their hope and confidence will grow too.Now that there is Iqbal
around them, they have the hope and courage for a change in their life.