I felt as a reader anger towards Sultan Khan in the first chapter because of his treatment towards women. He acts as though they are just a commodity. However, in the second chapter as the author describes his passion for books and the suffering he endured to keep alive his country's history and culture I gained more respect for him.
2. If the first chapter, 'The Proposal,' had been written from Sultan Khan's perspective, rather than an omniscient author, how would it have differed?
I think that the story would have had little to no emphasis on his wife's opinion on the matter. The passage would have portrayed his decision as necessary and practical. There may have been a bit of hostility towards the women in his family for expressing their displeasure with his decision.
3. What evidence from the first two chapters confirms the author's caution in the foreword that the family described in the book isn't "typical" of Afghanistan?
The first chapter establishes, among other things, the family's wealth-something not common in Afghanistan. Also the family is not only literate, but also has access to a plethora of different books.
Lesley
ReplyDelete1. I did not like Sultan in the first chapter because of his blatant disrespect for his wife and for the other women in his family and his complete disregard for Sharifa's feelings made me like him even less.
2. If Sultan had written the first chapter it would have only showed his point of view and the opinions of his female relatives and Sharifa's pain would not have been expressed. He would have made it seem like he deserved to take a second wife and that by not accepting it, Sharifa was being disrespectful.
3. The family is clearly different from typical Afghani families because they are not only relatively wealthy, but are for the most part literate and some of them even speak english as well. All of this is thanks to the many books that Sultan has collected and sold throughout his life.
1. It was surprising to me how insulting he was towards women and how little respect he gave them. But, at the same time, it's a little difficult to hold it against him when that is how the culture works. Into the second chapter, I could understand why the author was so keen to choosing that family to follow along. His great passion and need for books and wanting to keep the history of his country alive is very admirable. Considering what men are expected to act like, I think Sultan is a stand up man in that community.
ReplyDelete2. I believe if it had been written by him then it wouldn't sound so against women. I think it would have better explained the culture and why women are treated as they are. I think he may have also been a little bitter thinking that he was doing these great things and his family wasn't being supportive as they should be.
3. They are a lot different from other families because they are very interested in books and can speak, read, and write in English. Also, the family seems to be wealthier than other families because they own so many books and shops.
^^Kelli :)
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