- Jan 2023
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Local file Local file
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The doctor was drenched from head to toe in sweat
Clearly at that time, people were understaffed, underpreparred, and overworked.
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Her dead hands undidher salwar and lowered it
She is described to have returned back from death. Play on 'dead' hands being able to perform action.
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Suddenly, the roomlit up.
Metaphor for being lit up as in the energy lit up or lifted after recognizing his daughter's body, but also literally in that a doctor came and turned the light on.
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There was no one in the dark room, just a stretcher witha body on it.
Possibly implying the lack of staff due to the sheer bloodshed of this situation. Mention of dark room.
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spend the whole day doing rounds of the different camps and offices, butreceived no word about Sakina’s whereabouts. At night he would pray forthe success of the young men
Chronological organization of events. The sheer need to get answers is killing him
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he was distressed to be without a dupatta, and triedvainly to cover her breasts with her arms until one of the men took off hiscoat and gave it to her.
Refering to the reference of the dupatta earlier. Also showing more context of a woman's attire in India.
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young volunteers
'Young' + 'Volunteers' sets a tone for the dedication of these men in fighting for their nation.
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Your God will rewardyou.
Mention of God as a way of uniting the people as well as encourage the fighters, which is mention to Brahma, the god of all creation.
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Sirajuddin wanted to cry, but his eyes would not cooperate. Who knewwhere all the tears had gone?
Just like Sakina, his tears were gone. Rhetorically asking where both had gone. Once again, sensory imagery/personification of the eyes as they were not cooperating. Additionally, this shows depth to Sirajuddin in how we wants to express emotion.
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when the train was stopped, and the rioters cameaboard
Cultural context
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akina’s dupattahad fallen down.
Referenced in the future
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Sakina’s dupatta!
All that was left of her
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Sakina’s mother
Main character's wife died in front of him. The use of 'Sakina's mother' as oppose to something like 'wife' indicates that the parent's are no longer together, or the use of that is to put Sakina as the main focus right now -- and how everything connects back to her.
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But as he racked his brains, his mind fixed onSakina’s mother’s body, her intestines spilled out, then he could think nofurther
Sirajuddin, old and tired, is putting himself through 'hell' to find his loved ones. In doing so, his mind is fogged with a traumatic event occured recently. Describing the sequence of events shows how defenseless he is right now.
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‘Sakina, Sakina.’
Name of main character's daughter
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Loot. Fire. Stampede. Station.Bullets. Night. And Sakina.
Listing and punction creates emphasis on all subjects discussed.
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he felt as if he were floating in a void
Similie
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There was chaos all roundhim, but he heard nothing, as if his ears were blocked
Describing a moment of pure awe using the sensory imagery.
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swelling sea of men, women and children
Interesting use of swelling. What is the meaning behind it?
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Old Sirajuddin
Main character is old.
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special train
Readers are introduced firstly early on to this 'special train', drawing attention and emphasis to the 'special'.
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Amritsar
Setting
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