58 pages • 1 hour read
Ayad AkhtarAmerican Dervish
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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The title American Dervish might describe several characters, but who fits this description best? Support your answer with at least three textual examples.
Why does Mina repeat the word intention throughout the novel? What does this reveal about her character? How do Hayat’s intentions transform as he comes of age?
Describe the character of Naveed Shah. What is his role in the family unit (including Mina and Imran)? How does he treat religious matters, and why?
Compare and contrast the characters of Muneer Shah, Mina Ali, and Najat Chatha. How does each woman adapt to American culture? How does each express her unique Muslim identity?
How does Akhtar create and build tension throughout Chapter 10, “The Mosque on Molaskey Hill”? What is the climax of this scene?
Hayat’s view of the Quran transforms throughout the novel. Describe at least three of Hayat’s interactions with the holy book. Why are they important?
What role does Imam Souhef play in the story? How do other characters, particularly Hayat, view him? How does Souhef affect Hayat’s religious development?
A pivotal scene features Hayat sending a telegram to Mina’s ex-husband in Pakistan. What events lead Hayat to send this telegram? Choose a few key details in this scene (239-242) and describe their significance.
Describe Hayat as a character. How does he see the world? How does his particular narration inform the reader’s view of the story and the characters?
How does Hayat react to meeting Farhaz, the teenaged hafiz, at Mina’s wedding? Why is this reaction, as well as the boys’ recitation at the walima, significant to the story?
