Ground Zero: Chapter 32

Summary

In Alan Gratz's 'Ground Zero', Chapter 32 unfolds the harrowing experience of Rashmina and her family during the 9/11 attacks. Amidst darkness and chaos, Rashmina's grandmother's singing guides them, revealing the family's injuries and the cave-in that traps them. Rashmina's encounter with Taz, an American soldier, sparks a heated debate on the consequences of war. The story poignantly captures the family's struggle for survival and the moral complexities of conflict, culminating in a glimmer of hope with the discovery of a potential escape route.

Takeaways

• 😢 Rashmina wakes up in darkness and dust, disoriented after an explosion, and hears her grandmother singing.
• 👵 Rashmina's grandmother, Momardine, is found under a door, possibly with broken bones, showing her resilience.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Rashmina's family, including her mother and brother Zahir, are located and accounted for amidst the chaos.
• 🔦 Rashmina uses a flashlight to help her family and others, despite her own injury, highlighting her resourcefulness.
• 🤕 Taz, an American soldier, provides medical aid in the form of 'curlex' bandages, showing a moment of humanity amidst conflict.
• 🏞️ The cave they are in has been partially destroyed, with a rockfall blocking the entrance and revealing the harsh reality of their situation.
• 😡 Rashmina blames Taz and by extension the American presence for the bombing and the death of her sister, expressing deep resentment.
• 💬 A heated debate ensues between Rashmina and Taz about the intentions and consequences of foreign intervention in Afghanistan.
• 🤔 Rashmina questions the futility of the American mission, pointing out the cyclical nature of invasions and the resilience of Afghan sovereignty.
• 🕳️ Rashmina discovers a potential new exit from the cave, reigniting hope for survival in a dire situation.

Q & A

What is the setting of the story in 'Ground Zero'?

The setting is in Afghanistan, as indicated by the characters' names and the mention of Afghan people and the mountains.

Why does Rashmina's grandmother start singing?

Rashmina's grandmother starts singing to be heard and found by others after an explosion, which is a common strategy in such situations to signal one's presence.

What is the significance of the song 'Momardine Afghani'?

The song 'Momardine Afghani' is one of Anna's favorites, indicating a cultural and personal connection that provides comfort in a dire situation.

How does Rashmina find her family in the darkness?

Rashmina crawls towards the sound of her grandmother's singing to find her family after the explosion.

What is the condition of Rashmina's grandmother after the explosion?

Rashmina's grandmother is lying on the ground, half-covered by a door, and she admits to possibly having broken a bone or two.

Why does Rashmina's grandmother refuse to see a doctor?

Rashmina's grandmother is described as stubborn and claims she has never been sick, suggesting a reluctance to seek medical help or admit weakness.

What does Rashmina discover when she tries to use her flashlight?

Rashmina discovers a deep gash across her right palm when she tries to use her flashlight, which happened during the ceiling's cave-in.

How does Taz help Rashmina with her injury?

Taz provides Rashmina with a type of bandage called 'curlex' from his pocket and instructs her on how to use it to stop the bleeding from her cut.

What realization does Rashmina come to regarding the situation in the cave?

Rashmina realizes that the cave's entrance has been blocked by a rockfall, trapping them inside, and that many others who were in the cave with them are dead.

Why does Rashmina blame Taz for the situation?

Rashmina blames Taz because she believes that his presence and the actions of his country have led to the bombing and the current predicament of being trapped and surrounded by death.

What does Rashmina's reaction to Taz reveal about her feelings towards the conflict?

Rashmina's anger towards Taz reveals her deep resentment towards the foreign intervention in Afghanistan, which she sees as causing more harm than good.

What hope does Rashmina find at the end of the script?

Rashmina finds hope in the form of a hole in the wall, which might be another way out of the cave, suggesting a potential escape from their trapped situation.