Ahmed Character Analysis in Brick Lane

One of Hasina’s clients when she is working as a prostitute, Ahmed becomes her second husband. He works the night-shift as a shoe factory supervisor and is obsessed with order. Ahmed is also an albino, which Hasina thinks might be a contributing factor to his serious nature. Devoted to Hasina at first, he later deserts her.

Ahmed Character Timeline in Brick Lane

The timeline below shows where the character Ahmed appears in Brick Lane. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Cultural and Religious Sexism Theme Icon

It is March 1995, and Hasina has received an offer of marriage from Ahmed, an albino man who supervises the night shift at a shoe factory. Ahmed is a... (full context)

That same month, Hasina writes again, saying that Ahmed is pressing for marriage. Hussain thinks the match is a good idea. Both Ahmed and... (full context)

...April 1995. She gives thanks to God for her newfound happiness. She is married to Ahmed and living in the Ghulsan neighborhood of Dhaka, a definite upgrade from Narayanganj. It is... (full context)

It is still April and Ahmed has gone to the bazaar. Hasina goes up on the roof with the other wives.... (full context)

Hasina’s next letter is dated May 1995. She writes to Nazneen about Ahmed’s appearance, how he recently got a sunburn and he still has blisters on his cheeks... (full context)

...May 1995. Hasina’s house is clean, and she wiles away the hours writing to Nazneen. Ahmed, she says, is pleased with her. He finds her cleaning satisfactory. He is happy with... (full context)

...of attending Hussain’s funeral. It is a small ceremony with only a few jute cutters. Ahmed is working long hours at the factory. She doesn’t see him often and when she... (full context)

The bad patch gets worse. Ahmed is no longer satisfied with Hasina’s housework and he is now claiming that Hasina has... (full context)

...letter. All her others are gone, destroyed in the dark time after her marriage to Ahmed ended. She is glad to hear the girls are doing well and that Nazneen is... (full context)