House of Sand and Fog pp.95-143

pp.95-143

Interpret the following excerpts from the novel, using the questions to guide your response.


1.“Through the screen door at my back I smell…..”pg 95 par 3
How does this sensory image illuminate Nadi’s good mood, in contrast to the real situation that Behrani finds himself in?


2. Dear Sir,
I am writing to inform you that this firm…… (page 96 top)

Sincerely Yours,
C.S. Walsh, Attorney at Law

The author has chosen to reproduce Cathy Walsh’s letter to Behrani. What is the tone of this letter? In contrast, how does Behrani react? Is this normal ? Where might this confrontation lead later in the novel?

3. “When I hung up it was almost like I wasn’t anchored all the way to the ground.” (page 100 par 1) Kathy reveals her state of mind in this excerpt. If you were her therapist, how would you characterize her mental health? Predict an outcome for Kathy based on your diagnosis.

4. …men and women who have dressed in only T-shirts and blue jeans look up at me as I pass them by. They view my face, my suit, the valise under my arm, and as I return their eyes back to them, they look away as if I have come to collect something they cannot pay” (pp.104 bottom-105 top) What is the significance of how the people are dressed in contrast to Behrani’s? What do you think Behrani wants them to pay?

5. …my lovely daughter…dressed in an ivory satin, her long black hair tuck up upon her head beneath a spray of baby’s breath flowers which she wore like a crown. (p. 108 bottom- 109- top) Characterize Behrani’s relationship with Soraya based on this description. How might the story be different if Soraya were a major character with a

less selfish attitude?

6. “Shit, Lester, you do just what you want to do, don’t you?”(p.112 par 5)
In classical tragedy, this is called a fatal flaw. In what ways might Kathy’s
appraisal of her lover be valid? In what ways is it ironic?

7. “Sometimes I think husbands and wives, maybe they’re just meant t
get each other down the road, you know? Almost like it really doesn’t matter whether or not they stick around for the final act. Is that a sad way to look at it? (p. 116 bottom)
What is ironic about Lester’s philosophy of marriage? How does he use it to justify his affair with Kathy?

8. “The woman begins to pull away , but I squeeze her arm more tightly…” p127 top
This is indicative of how Behrani treats women. Where has he gotten this attitude? Where else has it manifested itself in the novel so far? What legal recourse should Kathy have followed that might have affected the plot of the story?

9. “She said it was her house …And it was taken away from her for no reason” (p142 bottom) This is Esmail’s view on Kathy’s dilemma. Why has the author chosen to include his opinion at this point? Define the word “innocent” in terms of this novel.

10. “We were rich in Iran, weren’t we? Weren’t we pooldar? p.143 bottom- 144 top
“Yes and no, son. Yes and no.”
Why does Esmail ask this of his father? What deeper meaning might there be
to Behrani’s response.