Zainab Character Analysis in Brick Lane

An unpleasant, complaining woman who lives in the apartment behind Hasina in the Narayanganj neighborhood of Dhaka. Zainab is the wife of a district judge and lords her status over everyone she can. In time, though, her husband is charged with causing a deadly bike accident and they flee the building in the middle of the night.

Zainab Character Timeline in Brick Lane

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

...has glass she will frame them. Hasina does worry that Nazneen has grown thin, but Zainab says it is the fashion in London to be thin. (full context)

Zainab is the mother of the family who lives in the apartment behind Hasina. An unpleasant... (full context)

Cultural and Religious Sexism Theme Icon

Zainab, meanwhile, has been telling Hasina to watch out. Once the jute cutters find out there’s... (full context)

...to rub his feet. Hasina takes off his shoes and obliges him, making him happy. Zainab comes over, complaining about Mr. Chowdhury filling the building with low-lifes. Hasina writes of a... (full context)

...They have a new set and cannot agree on how the game should be played. Zainab and her family are away at a wedding, and Hasina is grateful. They make more... (full context)

...more drama. Hussain has bought a few goats and they have an appetite only for Zainab’s washing. Zainab is furious, but Hussain just laughs. Hasina is thinking about getting a few... (full context)

...and they pay her for her efforts and dish her out a portion as well. Zainab, upset because her son has failed his exams, is now friendlier to Hasina. Life is... (full context)

...for Chanu’s new tutoring business. Hasina often forgets her problems when she compares them to Zainab’s. Zainab’s husband was involved in an accident and, as a result, another man lost use... (full context)

In October 1992, Hasina writes a short letter to Nazneen, telling her that Zainab and her family have disappeared. Otherwise, everything else is the same. Hussain and his friend,... (full context)