Structure questions
This section contains questions about the organization of the book for you to consider as your read. These questions should help you understand what Tamim Ansary is trying to accomplish and his particular point of view. Once you identify Ansary’s point of view, watch how he structures his book to lead the reader to certain conclusions.
| 1. | West of Kabul, East of New York begins with a “Prologue,” which outlines the author’s reasons for writing the book. How did September 11, 2001 cause the author to re-consider his childhood? He claims that Islamic militants feel nostalgia for the seventh century, but also for a world more recently lost. Watch how this theme of the lost world structures Ansary’s narrative. |
| 2. | The book has three sections: “The Lost World,” “Looking for Islam,” and “Forgetting Afghanistan.” What does this lead you to expect about the plot of the story? As you read, note whether your expectation is being supported or challenged. |
| 3. | The first section is called “the lost world.” Pay attention to how Ansary describes this world. What are its advantages and disadvantages from the viewpoint of a child? How about from the viewpoint of various adults in the story? |
| 4. | The second section is “Looking for Islam.” This describes Ansary’s search for his Islamic roots after he moves to the United States. What is the goal of this search? |
| 5. | The final section is called “Forgetting Afghanistan.” Does it really describe forgetting? |
| 6. | In the “Epilogue,” Ansary claims that each of his siblings has handled their Afghan heritage in a different way. Describe each of the three models provided by Rebecca, Tamim and Riaz. |
