Grief, Loss and Transformation: A Study on 'Under the Persimmon Tree'

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(AGG) When you lose a loved one no matter how old they are or you are, it can have a traumatic impact in your life. (BS-1) The loss of Margaret causes much sorrow throughout her life. (BS-2) After the death of her husband, Nusrat overtime attempts to move on. (BS-3) Overall Nusrat has a big heart for giving these Afghan children a school, and something to give them that gives them happiness. (TS) A major theme in Under The Persimmon Tree is how loss, and change can shape an individual.

(MIP-1) Nusrat is dealing with grief over the loss of Margaret, and this grief changed her by avoiding social situations. (SIP-A) Nusrat is looking for answers to help her move on, and accept Margret’s death. (STEWE-1) Throughout her life Nusrat struggles …show more content…

(SIP-A) Nusrat is stressed about Faiz. Nusrat is concerned, and is unknown about if he is dead or alive. (STEWE-1) Nusrat is worried about Faiz because she’s heard no word from him.“She began to worry about Faiz with everyday that passed with no word from him.”( Staples-25). Nusrat is losing faith, because she hasn't received any letters , from him saying he is ok, and if he is alive or not. (STEWE-2) Nusrat’s emotions are conflicting with the loss of Faiz. “I have tried to be angry with you,” she says looking at the stars as if he can hear her through them.” I’d be angry with you than so terrified of what might happened to you.”(Staples-112) Nusrat is in denial over what her intuition is telling her to believe.(SIP-B) Nusrat accepts the fact that Faiz is gone, and Nusrat wants to go back to America to make peace with family.(STEWE-1)When Nusrat converted to Islam, her parents were disappointed, and felt as if they’ve lost Nusrat, now she wants to turn things around, and wants a better relationship with them like she used to in her old life back in America.“ I’d like to spend some time with my mother and father to make peace with them.” (Staples-236) After Margaret died, Nusrat was the only child her parents had left. However when Nusrat converted to Islam, her parents were in shock when she converted. Her parents felt as if …show more content…

(SIP-A) Establishing the school and working with the children helped Nusrat stay busy, that way she doesn't think about Faiz, and how much it hurts her.(STEWE-1) Happiness was not a big part of day to day time for these Afghan children. “But Nusrat insisted that she must have her own house near the refugee camps so she could keep open her school for the Afghan children who have been torn from their homes and farms and flocks.” (Staples-26-27). Nusrat and her school give these Afghan children joy and something to look forward to. These children do not have a real childhood and Nusrat’s kindness, and beliefs, and giving them an education, and the importance of educating them to give them something normal that all children should have.(STEWE-2) The persimmon Tree is more than just a tree, it becomes the actual classroom where the students learn, and connect with Nusrat. “ A large Persimmon tree stands in the center of the dusty years behind the house. In spring, summer, and early fall it's canopy covers nearly half of the space enclosed within the stucco wall that surrounds the entire compound. Under this tree Nusrat conducts her Persimmon Tree School, founded to teach the children of the Shahnawaz refugee camp. (Staples- 50).The tree itself is meaningful, because in the middle of a refugee camp filled with suffering lives, and here a living thing that lives to provide beauty, comfort, and

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