When Mr. Pirzada came to dine
Presented By: Aryan and Gary
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Setting
Boston
Calcutta
Dacca
Summary plot
- Autumn 1971
- In North Boston, USA
- Mr. Pirzada from Dacca, East Pakistan (not anymore)
- Mr. Pirzada is in USA (sabbatical)
- Mr. Pirzada’s family in Dacca (three-story house)
- Lilia’s family from India (Calcutta)
- Lilia is born in USA
Lilia was born in Boston, her parent in Calcutta
A man comes to dine at the Lilia's house regularly.
His name is Mr. Pirzada.
He is a university teacher in Dacca. he was granted to come to USA to study foliage of New England
It is autumn 1971 in Boston, the narrator is Lilia. She is a ten-year old girl from an Indian background
Lilia
He is now separated from his family, a wife and seven daughters.
India and Pakistan move closer to begin the war
Mr. Pirzada and Lilia's parents watch the news on TV and worry about the future there
Lilia participates in Halloween. Lilia tells more about the Halloween to Mr. Pirzada.
Interesting fact:
Mr. Pirzada's daughters all have a name starting with the letter "A"
He writes a letter, mentioning he survived with his family. Lilia misses him. She understands what it is to miss someone.
Mr. Pirzada is busy and returns to Dacca. He finds his family
Mr. Pirzada stops coming to their house. He worries about his family in Dacca.
he is not Indian anymore,
Country divided into Hindus and Muslims. (India and Bangladesh)
- 10 years old
- Empathetic
- Substitute daughter for Mr. Pirzada
- Symbol of love
- Learns more about Mr. Pirzada (vice-versa)
- Want to know more about India
- Narrator of the story
- First generation American of Indian descent
What will be covered?
Characters
- Background History
- Summary plot
- Setting
- Characters
- Themes
Lilia's parents
Major:
Lilia's father:
- Lilia
- Lilia's parents
- Mr. Pirzada
- Hindu
- Thinks about his country (misses)
- “Indian” socially (traditional)
- Encourages Lilia to learn more about India
Minor:
Lilia's mother:
Background History
- Hindu
- Proud of her daughter being in USA
- Traditional
- Kind and compassionate
- India independence day (15 August 1947)
- India-Pakistan partition
- East-Pakistan -> Bangladesh
Mr. Pirzada
Themes
- Muslim from Dacca, East-Pakistan
- Kind, nice and generous
- Like a father for Lilia
- Professor in a university in Dacca
- His wife and seven daughters are in Dacca
- He is physically in USA, but spiritually in Dacca
- Curious about American customs
His watch:
- was set to Dacca time
- symbol of colonial past “very English”
- His country is changing
- Friendship
- Being Indian in America
- Empathy
We can not stop the time.
Well, unless we could run faster than
300,000,000 m/s!
Empathy
Friendship
Being Indian in America
- Lilia learns to be empathetic to Mr. Pirzada’s family. (p.32, 39)
- “She prays that Mr. Pirzada’s family was safe and sound.” (p.32)
- Mr. Pirzada is also empathetic to Lilia. (everyone) (p.37)
- Mr. Pirzada and Lilia’s family
- Mr. Pirzada and Lilia (specifically)
- Lilia and Dora
- Lilia’s family were born in Calcutta. (living in USA)
- They retain Indian traditions, culture and food. (p.25)
- They also celebrate American festivals. (p.36)