Chapter 7

Atiq is walking through town in this chapter and notices all the children running around. It talks about how he wanted children but is thankful that he's sterile and can't have any. I don't understand this because it seems to me that he holds it agaisnt his wife that he doesn't have children, yet in the streets seeing the children, he's thankful he doesn't have any. He also sees Nazeesh in the streets. He tries to avoid him at first but they end up speaking to each other and Mohsen apologizes for being mean in the jail the night before. Nazeesh simply asks him if he truly believes that he'll never leave. Atiq basically lies and says that he'll definitely leave and make it to better places. Nazeesh also talks about how he misses music. This part is kind of strange because listening to music is like an every day occurance in our culture. Not being allowed to listen to music would be weird. Music is something enjoyable and I would have never thought it to be a threat that would be banned from a city or town. I couldn't imagine life without music, it would be boring. Atiq then runs into Mohsen and Zunaria which switches the story back the them. The taliban stop them on their walk because they pass a green and white building where a religious leader is speaking. The taliban is making everyone go to this assembly which I don't think is fair. This again just shows the difference in cultures because we have more freedom and choices in our religion and actions. The taliban is really rude to Mohsen and Zunaria though because they whip him and club them both. Zunaria tries to defend her husband but the taliban slaps her and tells her that it is not her place to talk to a man. The taliban then makes Mohsen attend the assembly and Zunaria has to wait outside. I couldn't even imagine a man let alone anyone treating me like this.