Part ThreeReview & Discussion Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions by working with a partner- instead of just finding the answer and writing it down quickly, take a moment to think and discuss with your partner as if we were having class discussion. Explore the literature. Remember to answer all parts of the question.

Chapter 27: Even though this chapter is told from the perspective of Mariam we learn how Laila reacts immediately after

the explosion and Mariam recalls her own traumatic events- what did this make Mariam feel?

Chapter 28: How does the visitor change Laila’s life? What is she feeling?

Chapter 29: Why does Rahseed tell Laila that he used to speak with her father?

How does Mariam react when she realizes what Rasheed is doing?

Chapter 30: Write and answer a question about Chapter 30.

Chapter 31: Mariam has been labeled her entire life. How do you think this has made a difference in her life? Do you

think her life will ever change?

Chapter 32: How did Rasheed’s first son die?

Why are Laila and Mariam really fighting in this chapter? (Hint- it’s not over a utensil)

Chapter 33: How does Rasheed feel about the baby?

What happens that starts the changes Mariam and Laila’s relationship?

What do you think Mariam feels for the baby?

Chapter 34: What does Rasheed suspect?

What is Laila planning to do?

How does the peace offering change the way Laila treats Mariam?

Chapter 35: What is Aziza’s family dynamics like?

In this chapter Mariam discusses that she has finally learned to love. What prompts her to identify this emotion?

Chapter 36: Why could they not buy the tickets themselves?

Why were they detained? What happened?

How did Rasheed react?

Chapter 37: How did everyone react when the Taliban first arrive in Kabul?

Review the Taliban rules and regulations: how do you feel about those?

Chapter 38: How does Rasheed respond to the Taliban?

Chapter 39: Write and answer a question about Chapter 39.

Chapter 40: How are Aziza and Zalmai treated by Rasheed?

What does Rasheed propose to do with Aziza? How did that go over with Laila?

Chapter 41: What prompted Mariam to make the phone call?

Mariam recalls things from her past- Would you have opened the letter? Why or why not?

Chapter 42:What is happening to Aziza?

What would this be like for each member of the family to go through?

Hope returns in what form?

Chapter 43: Mariam pieces together what Rasheed did- how would you feel?

Chapter 44: Where has Tariq been these past years?

How did Rasheed find out that Tariq came to visit?

Chapter 45: How does the author build suspense? (look at the rhetoric of these chapters)

Why do you think Mariam did what she did?

Chapter 46: Are Mariam and Laila guilty?

What does Mariam do? And why does she do it?

Chapter 47: Where does Mariam end up?

What happens to Mariam?