Brick Lane

by

Monica Ali

A friend of Hasina’s at the garment factory, she believes that trees have spirits and that sewing machines might too. She has five children and lives for them. Her husband did not want her to work but he gave in, buying her a burkha to wear when traveling to and from the factory. One month, when she is given a special sari by the factory executives for being the most productive employee, her husband beats her savagely.
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Aleya Character Timeline in Brick Lane

The timeline below shows where the character Aleya appears in Brick Lane. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 7
Luck, Class, and Fate Theme Icon
...sensed she was a beginner and pricked her finger. Now it purrs like a cat. Aleya, one of Hasina’s friends at the factory, says if trees can have spirits, why can’t... (full context)
Cultural and Religious Sexism Theme Icon
...thread and cloth around, but she is a sewing woman now, and she and her friends—Aleya, Shahnaz, and Renu—are as close as sisters. They work in the same row and eat... (full context)
Cultural and Religious Sexism Theme Icon
Luck, Class, and Fate Theme Icon
...together. To Hasina they are the true sinners, using God’s name to tell a lie. Aleya’s husband has grown anxious. He wants her to wear a burkha in the factory now,... (full context)
Cultural and Religious Sexism Theme Icon
Luck, Class, and Fate Theme Icon
Aleya is being beaten by her husband. The previous month she was named the best worker... (full context)