When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

Watches and time are a recurring motif in the story. Discuss the different ways in which time is important to the characters in the text.

Consider the candy Lilia receives (both from Mr. Pirzada and on Halloween) in light of the story’s broader depiction of food. What role does food play in cementing social ties or reinforcing culture? Does the candy function in the same way?

Lilia occupies a unique position in the story in that she exists in two different cultural spheres. At home she is exposed to many aspects of Indian culture, but at school she is expected to learn American history and participate in American traditions like Halloween. Explore the ways this dual cultural knowledge impacts Lilia.