When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine Discussion Questions

Questions 1: Reread lines 61-79. What inference can you make about why Mr. Pirzada and Lilia’s family are drawn to each other despite their respective countries painful experiences with Partition?

Question 2: What theme can you infer based on the image produced by the details of Mr. Pirzada “balancing…two suitcases of equal weight.” (132-137)

Question 3: Reread lines 176-183. Cite evidence that would indicate Lilia’s changing reactions to Mr. Pirzada. How do Lilia’s feelings relate to the story’s theme?

Question 4: Reread lines 261-282. What conclusions can you draw about the changes in Lilia’s character? Cite evidence about what has inspired the changes.

Question 5: Reread lines 336-371. What does this passage reveal about Mr. Pirzada’s personality? What does it indicate about his connection to Lilia?

Question 6: Reread lines 451-464. Identify the changes in the two main characters. Cite evidence from the passage.

Question 7: What literary device does the author use in lines 496-499? What feeling is created by the sentence “ My mother did not seem particularly relieved to hear from me.” What is the reason for the feeling?

Question 8: Read page 118. Identify the lines that address the theme of the story? What theme is found within these lines?

Question 9: The objects associated with the characters in a story are often symbols that provide clues about what they are experiencing. Name 3 symbols associated with Mr. Pirzada