Forgotten Fire by adam bagdasarian
Summary
Vahan Kenderian, the protagonist and main character of the novel,
is a 12 year old boy who was born into an extremely wealthy and influential Armenian
family. Vahan was privileged and catered to quite habitually by both
his father and mother, who indulged him every opportunity they could and by his siblings, who served as playmates that offered companionship and enjoyment.
Though everything seems to be going as usual in Vahan’s life, his position
within society takes a drastic turn for the worst due to the changing political
climate as well as the commencement of World War I. Within a two day span,
Vahan’s father disappears, two of his brothers are executed in front of him,
his grandmother is murdered, and his sister takes her own life in order to
avoid being brutally raped and murdered. He and his older brother fortunately escape
what seems to be a cruel and unbelievable nightmare, but are forced to leave
their mother and remaining sister in order to survive.
Vahan is forced to adapt to his situation in order to make it to safety and freedom. In doing so, he begs in order to survive, befriends those who are responsible for the massacre of his family members and fellow Armenians, and transitions to a mute and deaf boy in order to avoid suspicion. The novel is extremely graphic and detailed which allows for the reader to truly understand the hardships Vahan had experienced. Despite the odds, Vahan does everything possible to survive and make it to freedom.
Vahan is forced to adapt to his situation in order to make it to safety and freedom. In doing so, he begs in order to survive, befriends those who are responsible for the massacre of his family members and fellow Armenians, and transitions to a mute and deaf boy in order to avoid suspicion. The novel is extremely graphic and detailed which allows for the reader to truly understand the hardships Vahan had experienced. Despite the odds, Vahan does everything possible to survive and make it to freedom.
Themes/ Motifs
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Characters
Vahan’s family
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s
Enemies of the Armenians
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Quotes
"This is how steel is made. Steel is made strong by fire."
The following quote is a metaphor for the human body, mind, and sole meaning what does not kill you, makes you stronger. Vahan's father repeatedly states this throughout the novel which in turn motivates Vahan to survive and reach freedom despite the numerous obstacles he must face. Through three years of unspeakable horror, Vahan is made stronger by this fire, and by perseverance, he is able to escape to Constantinople.
“The problem with loneliness is that, unlike other forms of human suffering, it teaches us nothing, leads us nowhere, and generally devalues us in our own eyes and the eyes of others.”
Throughout the novel, Vahan must keep to himself in order to protect himself from being captured and inevitably executed. Though Vahan meets many people throughout his life who do in fact aid him, he eventually loses them one way or another. Loneliness is a prevalent theme throughout the novel and depicts Vahan's worst and most difficult times he had experienced.
“In my real world, cold would always be answered with warmth, hunger with food, thirst with water, loneliness with love. In my real world, there would always be this house I loved, the laughter of brothers and sisters, uncles and cousins. In my real world, I would always belong, and I would always be happy.”
Prior to the genocide, Vahan had a very privileged life. He was the son of a wealthy and respected Armenian man and most if not all times, had all his needs catered to. the following quote reflects on the life he previously had and how he is dealing with the transition.
"I have learned this about life: I know, as my neighbors in Bitlis tried to tell me, that there is pain and disillusionment in the heart of it. I know, as my father told me, that character and discipline are the steel that fortify it, and that somewhere, beyond pain and disillusionment, great blessings are made"
The conclusion of the novel is basically wrapped up with the following quote. Vahan has made it to safety, however, he is still having difficulty coping with the events the events depicted throughout the novel. He reminds the readers of the quote his father use to tell him which in turn allows him to handle the difficult times he recently underwent.
The following quote is a metaphor for the human body, mind, and sole meaning what does not kill you, makes you stronger. Vahan's father repeatedly states this throughout the novel which in turn motivates Vahan to survive and reach freedom despite the numerous obstacles he must face. Through three years of unspeakable horror, Vahan is made stronger by this fire, and by perseverance, he is able to escape to Constantinople.
“The problem with loneliness is that, unlike other forms of human suffering, it teaches us nothing, leads us nowhere, and generally devalues us in our own eyes and the eyes of others.”
Throughout the novel, Vahan must keep to himself in order to protect himself from being captured and inevitably executed. Though Vahan meets many people throughout his life who do in fact aid him, he eventually loses them one way or another. Loneliness is a prevalent theme throughout the novel and depicts Vahan's worst and most difficult times he had experienced.
“In my real world, cold would always be answered with warmth, hunger with food, thirst with water, loneliness with love. In my real world, there would always be this house I loved, the laughter of brothers and sisters, uncles and cousins. In my real world, I would always belong, and I would always be happy.”
Prior to the genocide, Vahan had a very privileged life. He was the son of a wealthy and respected Armenian man and most if not all times, had all his needs catered to. the following quote reflects on the life he previously had and how he is dealing with the transition.
"I have learned this about life: I know, as my neighbors in Bitlis tried to tell me, that there is pain and disillusionment in the heart of it. I know, as my father told me, that character and discipline are the steel that fortify it, and that somewhere, beyond pain and disillusionment, great blessings are made"
The conclusion of the novel is basically wrapped up with the following quote. Vahan has made it to safety, however, he is still having difficulty coping with the events the events depicted throughout the novel. He reminds the readers of the quote his father use to tell him which in turn allows him to handle the difficult times he recently underwent.