1. Iqbal Novel Study Name:Michael Adisaz 8-73
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 to this passage is that the children shouldn’t be forced to
work like slaves from dawn to dusk every day of every year for years. Iqbal is the only
child slave that has had enough courage to say something about the way they were
being treated, he understands that human beings shouldn’t be treated like this and that
what Hussain Khan is doing to them is wrong, however he’s trying to inspire the other
children to get courage and help him in the fight against child labour. How would you
feel if you were chained to a loom, being forced to work day in and day out for the rest
of your life. People shouldn’t be chained at all, we chain animals, bikes, and other
objects but we should never chain human beings unless they committed a crime, in
which case they are chained to protect the innocent people around them. How would
you feel if someone took you from your home, and would never allow you to see your
mom, dad, brothers, sisters, and other loved ones ever again. I am very certain you
would not enjoy the experience for even a day or two let alone the years of pain and
suffering the children have had to go through.

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
“There was a precise rule among us; Never talk about the future” The children had this
rule because the thought of being forever trapped in this carpet factory was to painful
to think of. None of the kids dared to say the words “next summer”, or “in a year”
because the children weren’t very sure there was even going to be a next summer for
them. If we think about it there was no doubt that we were going to have a “next
summer” filled with fun and enjoyment with our families and friends. The kids talked
about the things they liked to do and about the day that their debts would be cancelled,
but they were starting to realize that their debt might not ever get cancelled since every
day, they wake up and they see the same number of lines on their slates. Iqbal tried to
inspire them and spark the hope within them so that they may one day have enough
courage to break the chains of oppression and escape from the workshop to finally see
their loved ones once more.
* 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 before Iqbal arrived, Fatima never
could have imagined living a different life then making carpets all day everyday, she
thought that she would live the rest of her life in the carpet factory, making carpets for a
cruel and unfair master, if you could call that living. But when Iqbal arrived he provided
the spark that was needed to light the flame of hope in the children. Once the fire
spread and engulfed the children in it’s righteous flames, they would finally have
enough power to wake up from this seemingly, never ending nightmare.