“Pakistan was founded by the dreams of poets. Aren’t we of the same earth?” 

Miss Sadia encourages Amal to write about her hopes and dreams. Her life is as much worth writing about as that of the Pakistani poets whom she admires. Miss Sadia’s words reflect the themes of hope and the power of education. As the novel progresses, Amal learns more about the founding poets of her country and discovers that her dreams can come true. 

“I knew helping family was what a good eldest daughter did, but this time after school with Miss Sadia wasn’t just fun; it was important.” 

This quote encapsulates several of the novel’s themes: the bonds of family, the inequity of gender role expectations, and the importance of education. Amal must navigate the differing demands that bind her while she pursues her education and the freedom to be independent. 

“This is what I now remember most about my last afternoon at school—the smell of the dusty chalkboard, the sound of the students lingering outside the door, and mostly, how easily I took my ordinary life for granted.” 

Amal foreshadows the loss of everything she holds dear: her family, her freedom, and her educational opportunity. As the novel progresses, she bitterly regrets her failure to appreciate these fundamental freedoms in her life.