Chapters 4 through 6 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter four, the family traveled but time passed before they learned they were near Assa. Malika said that she was upset over the situation because they had suddenly changed from being wealthy to being poor, but that she had no idea of the hardships yet to come. Thanks to Malika's forethought, the family had a record player and would listen to either records or the radio in the evenings. The generator was unreliable and the records were often "playing at the wrong speed." In the winter, they were cold and depended on a gas lamp to provide what little heat they could have. The nights were longest and it was often difficult to sleep. Fatima sometimes filled hours with stories. The family members were allowed outside and sometimes the children went to a nearby market. The youngsters returned...