Iqbal

Fatima is the narrator and a protagonist, and her character serves multiple roles. As the narrator, she retells the events as she perceives them. Her goal is to spread the stories of the children enslaved in the bonded labor market of Pakistan. Fatima also serves as a connection between Iqbal’s story and the reader. She uses sensory language and vivid descriptions to draw the reader in and help them relate to the children in the bonded labor market. The personal tone of the story and the tragic nature of Fatima’s backstory are intended to generate empathy in the reader.

Fatima also serves as a foil, or contrast, to Iqbal. Fatima is similar to Karim in that she has a strong sense of self-preservation. She works hard and does not complain, making her a favorite of Hussain, and she is too scared to truly attempt an escape. She has no place to go, and the unfamiliar sounds of the city intensify her fear. She is not a natural leader, and when Iqbal is in the Tomb, Fatima follows Salman’s lead. After meeting Iqbal and after she is freed, Fatima becomes less passive, though her passivity remains one of her primary traits throughout the story.