How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
A wall was coming down. It was something to do with history. It was an historic occasion. No one really knew quite who had put it up or who was tearing it down or whether this was good, bad, or something else; no one knew how tall it was, how long it was, or why people had died trying to cross it, or whether they would stop dying in future, but it was educational all the same; as good an excuse for a get-together as any. It was a Thursday night, Alsana and Clara had cooked, and everybody was watching history on TV. (9.238)
There is a sense of ambiguity in this passage about the fall of the Berlin Wall. History is always in the process of becoming history, but people are much less often aware of it happening around them. Yet, on one otherwise normal Thursday night, the Iqbals and the Joneses watch history on TV.
Quote #8
"[…] you're all he's got. He needs you. You two have history. You really know him. Look how confused he is. One day he's Allah this, Allah that. Next minute it's big busty blondes, Russian gymnasts, and a smoke of the sinsemilla. He doesn't know his arse from his elbow. Just like his father. He doesn't know who he is. But you know him, at least a little, you've known all the sides of him. And he needs that. You're different." (11.202)
Irie and Millat have history, according to Neena, but Irie doesn't want history. Millat says something very similar to this to Irie; it's clear that their shared experiences are important to him as well. But Irie wants something that exists in the now.
Quote #9
Generally, women can't do this, but men retain the ancient ability to leave a family and a past. They just unhook themselves, like removing a fake beard, and skulk discreetly back into society, changed men. (1.88)
Ancient abilities. Fake beards. This is one interesting passage. What gender stereotypes are being evoked here? Do you think modern laws still make such escapes from family responsibilities easy?