Uncle Character Analysis

Leila had come to understand that feelings of tenderness must always be hidden—that such things could only be revealed behind closed doors and never spoken about afterwards. This was the only form of affection she had learned from grown-ups, and the teaching would come with dire consequences.

“What about people in Canada or Korea or France?” Leila asked.

“What about them?”

“Well, you know . . . they are not Muslim, generally. What happens to them after they die? I mean, the angels can’t ask them to recite our prayers.”

Baba said, “Why not? Everyone gets the same questions.”

“But those people in other countries can’t recite the Qur’an, can they?”

“Exactly. Anyone who is not a proper Muslim will fail the angels’ exam. Straight to hell. That’s why we must spread Allah’s message to as many people as possible. That’s how we’ll save their souls.”

Baba never hit Leila. Neither before nor after. Though a man of several shortcomings, he never displayed physical aggression or uncontrolled wrath. So for bringing this impulse out in him, for rousing something so dark, so alien to his character, he would always hold her responsible.

She, too, blamed herself and would continue to do so for years to come.

Her gut warned her that there was more to him than the considerate, gentle young man she saw and she had to be very careful. But her heart pushed her forward—just like it had done when, as a newborn baby, she had lain motionless under a blanket of salt.

Leila had come to understand that feelings of tenderness must always be hidden—that such things could only be revealed behind closed doors and never spoken about afterwards. This was the only form of affection she had learned from grown-ups, and the teaching would come with dire consequences.

“What about people in Canada or Korea or France?” Leila asked.

“What about them?”

“Well, you know . . . they are not Muslim, generally. What happens to them after they die? I mean, the angels can’t ask them to recite our prayers.”

Baba said, “Why not? Everyone gets the same questions.”

“But those people in other countries can’t recite the Qur’an, can they?”

“Exactly. Anyone who is not a proper Muslim will fail the angels’ exam. Straight to hell. That’s why we must spread Allah’s message to as many people as possible. That’s how we’ll save their souls.”

Baba never hit Leila. Neither before nor after. Though a man of several shortcomings, he never displayed physical aggression or uncontrolled wrath. So for bringing this impulse out in him, for rousing something so dark, so alien to his character, he would always hold her responsible.

She, too, blamed herself and would continue to do so for years to come.

Her gut warned her that there was more to him than the considerate, gentle young man she saw and she had to be very careful. But her heart pushed her forward—just like it had done when, as a newborn baby, she had lain motionless under a blanket of salt.