What does the iron fist in Rupban’s belly while going into labor with Nazneen have to do with her daughter’s character and upbringing? Why was Nazneen left to fend for herself after being born? What approach did Nazneen take with her own baby boy when he got sick? What conflict did that cause in her later?

What makes the two sisters, Nazneen and Hasina, different from one another? List and compare their character traits. What is it in their characters that led to such different paths to marriage? Compare and contrast the joys and regrets they have in their differing paths to love.

What is the secret that Hasina has been withholding from Nazneen? Why does she decide reveal this secret? What was the relationship with charity that Hasina went through in order to gain insight about the power of secrets?