1. Iqbal Novel Study Name: Camille De Belen 8-73
Quotable Passages Date: January 31, 2012
TOTAL: ________/15 marks
There are many quotable passages from chapter 7 in Iqbal. Below are four
important quotes.
You must respond critically to Passage 1 and Passage 4. Then choose either
Passage 2 OR 3 to reflect on.
In your response, consider commenting on some of the following: special
meaning, connection to a character’s thoughts and feelings, or why this quote
makes you think and want to know more.
You can write your response directly beneath the passage.
* PASSAGE 1
“It means that this kind of life isn’t right. We should return to our families; we
shouldn’t be chained to our looms and forced to work like slaves.” Page 50
RESPONSE:
This significance for this, is all children should be all free and be with their family,
because they deserve love and care. All the children have right to play, laugh, and be
with their family. When Iqbal said “This kind of life isn’t right”, it means they shouldn’t
be chained to their looms or forced to work, because they are only children, all the
children should be at school learning things(and playing with their friends, they
should be outside, when they can feel the breeze.)They don’t have a day off, or a
little break. They don’t get to see their family everyday.(They are treated like animals.)
PASSAGE 2
‘There was a precise rule among us: Never talk about the future. Not a single one of us
dared to say, “next summer,” or “in a year,” or, “when I’m grown up.” Oh yes, we
talked about things we liked to do, and we talked about the day our debt would be
cancelled. We talked that hope into the ground. But nobody really believed it. It was
sort of litany, a way to feel good. Otherwise what was left to us?’ Page 53
PASSAGE 3

2. “Fatima,” he said in a low voice, “next spring you and I are going to fly a kite.
Remember that, whatever happens.” Page 54
RESPONSE: PASSAGE __2__
The significance for this is, they can’t talk about the future because it’s too painful to
them because they might not have a future. Maybe they will stay and work for Hussain
Khan forever. ‘Not a single one of us dared to say, “next summer”, or “in a year,” or
“when I’m grown up”. Because nobody really know what will be their future like. They
can be working for Hussain Khan until their debt is cancelled, that might take a really
long time. They can’t talk about their future because it will hurt even more, they don’t
get to see their family everyday. They work Dawn to Dusk.They don’t give much food or
water to the children. The children don’t get to play outside, and enjoy the nature.(They
lost hope.)(Child Labour is too hurt to talk about.)(They are giving up their hope)(Iqbal
wasn’t giving up yet)
* Chapter 8 - PASSAGE 4
‘Before Iqbal’s arrival I had been resigned to my life. I couldn’t even imagine a
different one. Iqbal had sown the seeds of hope in all of us.’ Page 62
RESPONSE:
The significance for this is, Iqbal planted a seed of hope in all of us. It means that he has
hope that someday, someone will come and save them from Hussain Khan and he
believe that all the children will be free and be with their family. He has hope for
everyone because he knows that all the other children wanted to stand up for them but
they don’t have courage to.(Iqbal risked his life and Iqbal is the seed of the Freedom
Tree.)