Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo Translated by: Ann Leonori
Iqbal Guided Reading Questions
TO DO:
-Please copy the question for each chapter response into your journal before each entry, date, title and underline the title for each entry.
-Write a minimum 6 sentences for each chapter response.
-If you are behind a chapter, please take the book home and catch up on your reading. Merc!!
Ch. 1: In Chapter 1, some of the children are envious that Fatima, the main character, had never been punished by their master. They were envious of her.
Have you ever experienced being envious of others? Can you describe this emotion, and in your opinion, is this a positive or negative emotion to have?
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Ch. 2: In Chapter 2, we will learn that in Pakistan, movies and television were a luxury that only rich people could afford. Many farmers and laborers could not afford to go to the movies or have a television.
Is television a luxury in North America? Why or why not? Please use connections from your own life and the story to explain.
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Ch. 3: A peasant are farmers or farm workers who spend their day plowing the field. A merchant is a businessperson who buys and sells goods for profit and maybe owns their own store.
In your opinion, which job is more important to society? Why? Which job (peasant vs. merchant) would you prefer to have? Is your answer different from the first question? Why or why not?
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Ch. 4: Something or someone precious is of “great, great value or worth.” Your new iPad may be important to you, but the necklace that was handed down to you from your great grandmother, your grandmother, and your mother on your fifteenth birthday is precious.
In Chapter 4, we learn that Hussain has told another carpet maker that Iqbal is precious. Why would Hussain consider Iqbal precious? Explain and use details from the novel.
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Ch. 5: “Before they could grab him and take the knife away, Iqbal had cut twice more and the world’s most beautiful blue carpet was in pieces on the red earth of the floor.” (page 35)
Why did Iqbal destroy the beautiful “Blue Bukhara” carpet he worked so hard and fast to create? What message do you think he was trying to tell the master without using his words?
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Ch.6: In this chapter we read that Hussain’s house is dark, silent, and menacing. This means that the house seems threatening and scary. (page 43)
How would you describe their master, Hussain? Please choose three adjectives that describe Hussain’s character; use an example from the the book to explain why you chose each of the three characteristics.
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Ch.7: A litany is “a type of prayer that includes responses and may be repetitive.” Sometimes litany makes people feel comforted or happy during difficult times. In Chapter 7, we learn that the children often list the things they would like to do when their debt is cancelled. They say it is like litany for them and a “way to feel good.”
What would or could be your ‘litany’, if you did have one? What could you repeat to yourself (i.e. positive self-talk) to help make you feel better?
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Ch.8: A fugitive is someone who is running away from authority. In this story, Iqbal has escaped from Hussain (his boss and master), so Iqbal is a fugitive.
Where do you think Iqbal should flee to in order to stay free? Does he have anywhere safe to go? Why or why not? Please explain your thoughts.
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Ch.9: “The Labor Liberation Front was considered a traitor by the people who owned the bonded laborers.” (page 72)
The Labor Liberation Front (L.L.F.) is an organization that wants all children to live a normal and healthy life, but the L.L.F. are being labelled a “traitor”. Explain the word traitor in the quote above. What does it mean? Why do the “owners” of the bonded child laborers call the L.L.F. a traitor?
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Ch.10 “But now there’s a law in our country that makes these clandestine factories illegal.” (page 79)
Explain why you think these carpet factories are able to continue to operate if there is an official law that makes them illegal, because they are using bonded child labour. Why are they still breaking the law?
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Ch.11: “He had been threatened, beaten, imprisoned; yet after each time, he had started afresh, driven by enthusiasm and perseverance.” (page 82)
Explain what the word perseverance means in the above quote. Then share an example of when you could or would choose to use perseverance in your own life.
Ch.12: “You know how hard it is to get the magistrates to intervene.” (page 92)
It is sometimes very difficult for a person to choose to enter a situation and change what is happening. Have you ever jumped in and changed a negative situation into a positive one? Of course, it’s OK if you haven’t.
But, can you tell me a time you have seen others change a negative situation into a positive one, maybe out on the school yard? Or at home?
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Ch.13: “All the men had come back grim and discouraged that day, even Eshan Khan, who was always optimistic and ready to smile.” (page 105)
How do you stay optimistic in your everyday life?
Now, in your opinion, would you be able to stay optimistic everyday in Pakistan? Why or why not? If you could stay optimistic, how would you stay optimistic? What strategies would you use to stay optimistic in the face of challenge?
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Ch.14: “There’s going to be an international conference on labour problems.” (page 109)
Why is it important to have a conference on child labour problems? What can meeting and discussing the problems do? Have you ever solved any problems through meeting and discussing them?
Please explain your thoughts and connections.
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Ch.15: “Forgive my cowardice, Fatima.” (page 116)
Why did Maria wait so long to tell Fatima that Iqbal had passed away? In your opinion, why did Maria behave so cowardly? Or explain why you feel Maria did the right thing to not tell Fatima right away.
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