Iqbal

The novel’s events represent solidarity against oppression. Recall your response to the Personal Connection prompt. How do the circumstances and character actions in the novel compare to the story described in your Personal Connection prompt response? It may be helpful to consider these questions as you build your points of comparison:

• How do Fatima, Iqbal, and the other children in Hussain’s factory fight oppression?
• What are some of the obstacles that they experience in their fight?
• Are they successful? To what extent?
• What is the outcome of their fight?

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis prompt invites students to connect their response from the Personal Connection prompt to their understanding of the novel. D’Adamo highlights the theme of Coming Together to Escape Oppression, particularly as the children unite behind Iqbal in order to fight the corrupt, oppressive carpet industry and secure their freedom. In this vein, they are successful as they raise awareness of the issue both domestically and internationally. It may be beneficial to list and discuss additional works of literature or film with a message of solidarity against oppression so that students have options for their written response.