The Sheep

Laura Shelby Dameron

Title: "The Sheep"
The title of this chapter has a double meaning. The first meaning is the more obvious one. One of Marji's parent's friends and his family escape over the border hidden in a flock of sheep. The second meaning is more subtle. In the beginning of the chapter, the father says that the people of Iran were illiterate and ignorant, like sheep.

Summary:
While her uncle, Anoosh, is staying with the family, Marji hears a lot of political talk. Soon after he begins to stay with them, she learns that the boy she likes and his family are moving to the United States. Mohsen, a family friend, is found drowned. The sister of another family friend, Siamak, is killed because officals couldn't find him. Suddenly Anoosh disappears. Later Marji discovers he is in prison and is allowed to see him for ten minutes. He tells her that she is the daughter he never had and gives her the "uncle to the bread swan" that he had previously made for her. Soon after he is executed and Marji is heart broken. God comes to see her that night, and she tells Him to go away and never come back. He never does. Then the city is bombed.

New Terms:
There were no new terms in this chapter.

Humorous Passage:
A humorous part of the chapter is when Marji's parents tell her that Anoosh went on a trip, and she realizes that he really isn't. This is ironic because earlier in the book she teases another child because her parents told her the same thing.

Important Picture:
The last picture in the chapter is the most important because it tells the reader that Marji thinks life can't get worse, but then her town is bombed. This is significant because this is the first incidence of large scale violence.