Discussion Notes #1

Chapters 1-5

~Discussion Notes #1~

April 25, 2015

by Elizabeth Erickson

1. Why did Mohsen throw the rocks at the prostitute?

- Pressure (pack mentality, fear of standing out/getting in trouble)

- Anger toward the Taliban (resentment toward cycle of hopelessness-  causes something to happen even though it's not positive)

2. What do you envision for the setting?

- Dirty and dusty

- Poverty-stricken

- People just wander around (super hopeless)

- Pre-Taliban/Soviet, memories of beautiful setting

3. Compare Mirza and Mohsen's view of women

- Mirza: views wives as property, uses religion as an excuse to get rid of Atiq's sick wife (everything good she did was God, not actually her), believes it is offensive to talk about wives in public

- Mohsen: views women as actual people, treats his wife as MORE than an equal/thinks he's lucky to have her, feels a ton of guilt for stoning the prostitute

4. Why does Mohsen respect his wife (when it seems not many men do)?

- He claims the SHE chose HIM, so there is some pressure there to meet her standards

- He has lost a lot, and she is the only thing that has been there through the good and the bad; he needs her

5. Predictions about what will happen to the characters?

- The two men will connect about their issues (wife probs)

- Tension

- There will be some kind of issue between Mohsen and Z.