1. Iqbal Novel Study Name: Isabel Dominguez 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 of this quote states about the main theme of the book
which is Child Labour. What Iqbal meant when he said this quote was they are suffering
because of child labour. They should be returned to their families where they can be
guided, loved and cared for, there they can eat enough food. They shouldn’t be in the
carpet factory; they should be playing with their friends like what most of us children
do. They also should be at school learning how to read and write for their future,
especially when they are applying for a job. They shouldn’t be chained to their looms
because they are not animals; but in the carpet factory, Hussain Khan and mistress was
treating them like one. They also shouldn’t be forced to work like slaves because
children are not slaves.They should be enjoying themselves going to school, playing with
their friends and getting enough food. Their lives aren’t right because they were treated
very unfriendly and like an animal.(Every one of us deserves the basic human right.
Other wise the “cycle of poverty” will happen over and over again.)But the saddest thing
was I couldn’t understand why in other countries, children under my age had to suffer
child labour. I couldn’t understand why they have to suffer when the problem or
outcome was not their fault; but I just have to accept because it is the reality.

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 significance of this quote states about their future. The
other children in the carpet factory told each one of them to not talk about their future
because it was like a horrible dream. They don’t like talking about the future because
they felt as if nothing will happen; one of the examples was when Fatima said that she
had been in the carpet factory for 3 years and nothing had happened. Every morning
she wakes up and see the slate the same. The lines on the slate are still the same
nothing had had been erased. Their future was a nightmare. No one knows if they will
be in the same situation or if it’ll be worst. They all thought that someday their debt will
be canceled and they would be able to see their parents again. Be with their families
where they are cared for, guided, respected and loved.(The children had lost hope but
Iqbal still tried to give hope for them. They are the one who made the rule that not talk
about the future, Iqbal kept on saying that the future will get better.)
* 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 quote states about hope and faith. Iqbal had tried to
help the children to gain more hope and it’s like as Iqbal had told the children to have
courage that someday they would be able to get out of the carpet factory and not be

3. chained into their looms. In my opinion, Iqbal felt that he needed to guide the other
children in the carpet factory to become brave and courageous- to get out of the carpet
factory and be brought back to their families where they are always welcome,
respected, loved, guided and cared for. (It looks like Iqbal is the farmer and the seeds as
the children. He tried to stand up for the other children by planting hope to them.
Although the hopes of the children had faded away, Iqbal still hoped that the situation
will get better.)