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Saeed was certain he was in love. Nadia was not certain what exactly she was feeling, but she was certain it had force. Dramatic circumstances, such as those in which they and other new lovers in the city now found themselves, have a habit of creating dramatic emotions, and furthermore the curfew served to conjure up an effect similar to that of a long-distance relationship, and long-distance relationships are well known for their potential to heighten passion, at least for a while, just as fasting is well known to heighten one’s appreciation for food. (ch3)

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Saeed was certain he was in love. Nadia was not certain what exactly she was feeling, but she was certain it had force. Dramatic circumstances, such as those in which they and other new lovers in the city now found themselves, have a habit of creating dramatic emotions, and furthermore the curfew served to conjure up an effect similar to that of a long-distance relationship, and long-distance relationships are well known for their potential to heighten passion, at least for a while, just as fasting is well known to heighten one’s appreciation for food. (ch3)

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This quote emphasizes the emotional differences between Nadia and Saeed.

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People so desperately cling to normality, even in a police controlled state at war, people will still continue about their lives

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People so desperately cling to normality, even in a police controlled state at war, people will still continue about their lives

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The recurring motif of cellphones, specifically iPhones, is still prevalent in these 3 chapters, even more so when their cell service and internet are down. It could symbolize how crucial they are in connection and security, though they can easily be lost in a second.

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Does Saeed seem more invested in their relationship than Nadia does? I get a vibe of unrequited love.

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Does Saeed seem more invested in their relationship than Nadia does? I get a vibe of unrequited love.

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"When we migrate we 🤬 from our lives those we leave behind" (98)

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"When we migrate we 🤬 from our lives those we leave behind" (98)

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When Nadia and Saeed plan to leave they are assimilating to a new culture and their past life is a memory that will eventually fade away.

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Why is there so much mention of magic? Is this significant or merely a part of the culture of Saeed and Nadia's society?

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Why is there so much mention of magic? Is this significant or merely a part of the culture of Saeed and Nadia's society?

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I think that the emphasis on natural beauty, with the sky and the lemon tree, is very fascinating and reveals how awe inspiring beauty can be. It also provides an interesting connection with the past, since Saeed discusses how the stars can not be seen as well anymore due to light pollution, and I believe it shows how Saeed is an individual who romanticizes the past, and is generally a character with a romantic view of things,

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I think that the emphasis on natural beauty, with the sky and the lemon tree, is very fascinating and reveals how awe inspiring beauty can be. It also provides an interesting connection with the past, since Saeed discusses how the stars can not be seen as well anymore due to light pollution, and I believe it shows how Saeed is an individual who romanticizes the past, and is generally a character with a romantic view of things,

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I really don't get the deal with this lemon tree

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“Saeed’s father encountered each day objects that had belonged to his wife and so would sweep his consciousness out of the current other referred to as the present, a photograph or an earring or a particular shawl worn on a particular occasion, and Nadia encountered each day objects that took her into Saeed’s past…"

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“Saeed’s father encountered each day objects that had belonged to his wife and so would sweep his consciousness out of the current other referred to as the present, a photograph or an earring or a particular shawl worn on a particular occasion, and Nadia encountered each day objects that took her into Saeed’s past…"

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I chose this quote because it focuses on how the death of Saeed's mother effects everyone

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Saeed seems to be more eager their relationship and committed as oppose to Nadia who doesn't seem to be as "in love".

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Saeed seems to be more eager their relationship and committed as oppose to Nadia who doesn't seem to be as "in love".

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Nadia is quick and deliberate when it comes to reclaiming her own body.

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What does the Lemon Tree withering away on the balcony represent?

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What does the Lemon Tree withering away on the balcony represent?

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"Deprived of the portals to each other and to the world provided by their mobile phones...felt marooned and alone and much more afraid

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"Deprived of the portals to each other and to the world provided by their mobile phones...felt marooned and alone and much more afraid

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Phones connected people and provided a distraction from the violence. Without them, people are forced to face reality by themselves as they are cut off from each other.

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“Reduced to clamping her thighs together and her jaw shut… her body sealing itself off”  (63)

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“Reduced to clamping her thighs together and her jaw shut… her body sealing itself off”  (63)

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In such a conservative society, it's almost ironic that women are viewed as sexual objects to be used as desired.

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What was significant about the photographs of the night sky in chapter 3?

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What was significant about the photographs of the night sky in chapter 3?

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What is the purpose of including Nadia's Lemon Tree?

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What is the purpose of including Nadia's Lemon Tree?

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"The Lemon tree did not recover, despite repeated watering" (chapter 5, page 94)
Is it significant and if so, what does it symbolize?

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Will these random people that the novel takes time to talk about be relevant later? Are they are all connected somehow

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Will these random people that the novel takes time to talk about be relevant later? Are they are all connected somehow

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what influences Nadia and Saeed's  very different views on sex and marriage?

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It puts everything into perspective seeing a luxury we largely take for granted (music) be outlawed, and it’s clearly something Nadia treasures considering she’s risking arrest for maintaining possession of her records.

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It puts everything into perspective seeing a luxury we largely take for granted (music) be outlawed, and it’s clearly something Nadia treasures considering she’s risking arrest for maintaining possession of her records.

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Joe Pohoryles

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Page 43 in chapter 3 is the first time anyone seems unsettled by any of the violence happening around them. The impending doom seems to have finally arrived.

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When they were separated and couldn't see each other, Nadia focused on getting supplies and food whereas Saeed focused only on getting in touch with Nadia. Their difference in priorities indicates that Saeed had a more relaxed and pampered life as opposed to Nadia who has to make sure that she is taken care of.

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In Chapter 5, Hamid writes that "when we migrate, we 🤬 from our lives htose we leave behind," meaning that travel and displacement sever the ties between a person and his or her origins. This is especially true of refugees, who have left their countries not because they've chosen to do so, but because circumstances have forced them to. 

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In Chapter 5, Hamid writes that "when we migrate, we 🤬 from our lives htose we leave behind," meaning that travel and displacement sever the ties between a person and his or her origins. This is especially true of refugees, who have left their countries not because they've chosen to do so, but because circumstances have forced them to. 

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Death is dealt with almost casually in the later parts of the chapters 4 & 5, and this seems to underscore how desensitized people are after enduring this violence for so long.

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Death is dealt with almost casually in the later parts of the chapters 4 & 5, and this seems to underscore how desensitized people are after enduring this violence for so long.

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Even (or especially?) in the time of war, there are still people who care. Saeed's boss tears up when telling his employees that he must close the shop. Nadia's coworker is thankful for giving them the TV. The soldier/ student doesn't 🤬 Saeed's mom after seeing her.

Conversely, it can be considered that all of these are acts of selfishness. Maybe Saeed's boss is crying because he is upset about his own business and not about the livelihoods of his employees. Maybe Nadia's coworker is thankful because they gained something (after all, Nadia initially wanted the TV for herself). Perhaps the soldier not killing his teacher was an act of personal want (a soldier is expected to act "selflessly" and do as he is told).

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what exactly was happening in the door scene?

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what exactly was happening in the door scene?

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If posting anonymously is equivalent to the privacy of Nadia's robes, what is posting openly and excessively equivalent to?

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If posting anonymously is equivalent to the privacy of Nadia's robes, what is posting openly and excessively equivalent to?

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Joe Pohoryles

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The robe Nadia wears represents the safe boundary she places to protect herself from others. Her taking it off with Saeed represents how safe and comfortable she feels with him.

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"rumors had begun to circulate of doors that could take you elsewhere, often to places far away, well removed from this death trap" 

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"rumors had begun to circulate of doors that could take you elsewhere, often to places far away, well removed from this death trap" 

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More of the door symbolism

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"Saeed was certain he was in love. Nadia was not certain what exactly  she was feeling." (54)

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"Saeed was certain he was in love. Nadia was not certain what exactly  she was feeling." (54)

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Saeed seems to know what he wants and is ready to commit. Nadia on the other hand doesn't seem to know what she wants .

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"Nadia and Saeed, were always in possession of their phones...transporting them to places distant and near"
I chose this quote because it emphasizes both people's need to escape their situation: they need something to distract them from their war torn home.

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Why did you guys think that the novel did not focus more on the fact that Nadia was physically violated? 

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Why did you guys think that the novel did not focus more on the fact that Nadia was physically violated? 

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Ch 5: "But that is the way of things, for when we migrate, we 🤬 from our lives those we leave behind.”  This quote has a very powerful message, it's one of the few times the narrator has a serious tone instead of talking about serious topics as if they were daily, almost insignificant events. It further emphasizes the impact of leaving Saeed's father behind and how intense and tragic the process of seeking asylum really is.

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"War... revealed itself to be an intimate experience, combatants pressed close together" (68)

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"War... revealed itself to be an intimate experience, combatants pressed close together" (68)

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I feel like the book focuses a lot on sex and intimacy in life. This quote stuck out to me because it really establishes that there is a theme of sex in the novel.

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"and then put on her robe, ready to resist the claims and expectations of the world, and stepped outside to go for a walk" (48).  - I really liked this quote because I think it reveals a lot about Nadia's character and shows her strength and desire to defy expectations.

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"and then put on her robe, ready to resist the claims and expectations of the world, and stepped outside to go for a walk" (48).  - I really liked this quote because I think it reveals a lot about Nadia's character and shows her strength and desire to defy expectations.

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"he found the antenna too powerful the magic it summoned too mesmerizing as though he was eating a banquet of limitless food" (40)

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"he found the antenna too powerful the magic it summoned too mesmerizing as though he was eating a banquet of limitless food" (40)

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I chose this quote because this really highlights the draw of technology in our lives.

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"She watched bombs falling, women exercising, men copulating, clouds gathering"l-

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"She watched bombs falling, women exercising, men copulating, clouds gathering"l-

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What the heck was going on in the scene with brave man/ second man? 

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What the heck was going on in the scene with brave man/ second man? 

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“She left little trace of her passing, not posting much of herself, and employing opaque usernames and avatars, the online equivalents of her black robes,” (41)

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“She left little trace of her passing, not posting much of herself, and employing opaque usernames and avatars, the online equivalents of her black robes,” (41)

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I found the comparison interesting.

Joe Pohoryles