comment on style

The author uses language as a means to demonstrate the difference between Eamonn Lone and the Pashas. Eamonn does not speak Urdu, while the Pashas do, because they embrace their cultural heritage and religion. Eamonn has been raised by his father to want nothing to do with Pakistan or Islam, but he begins learning Urdu to show Aneeka how much he cares for her. Both Aneeka and Karamat call Eamonn “Jaan,” which means, “my life” in Urdu (111). There are also Arabic words and phrases in the novel, as Isma quotes the Quran to Eamonn, “La yukallifullahu nafsan illa wus'ahaa. Allah does not burden a soul with more than it can bear” (49). This phrase foreshadows the extreme grief Aneeka experiences after Parvaiz's death. The members of ISIS say “Alhamdullillah” to one another, meaning roughly, “praise God” (177). Even Karamat Lone suppresses himself from saying “Bismillah” - “in the name of Allah,” when he is anxious (228).