Funny in Farsi Study Guide

Synopsis

Funny In Farsi is the story of Firoozeh, a little girl who moved from Iran to America, as told through her eyes. When she was seven, her parents, Kazem and Nazireh, and her brothers and she all moved to Whittier, California in search of a better life. Her father, Kazem, studied in America at a graduate school in Texas, and truly believed that it was the country for him, and his English would be enough to get him and his family by. Unfortunately, it isn't and Firoozeh is tasked with adjusting to American culture herself, leading to many humorous, and awkward, encounters.

The book follows Firoozeh and her extended family (most of whom end up moving to America), as she deals with things such as trying to earn money, marrying a non-Iranian man, and the anti-Iranian sentiments many Americans share during and after the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Chapter 1 "Leffingwell Elementary School"

Chapter 1 opens with Firoozeh introducing herself and her family and their reason for moving to Whittier, California. Her father, Kazem, had been assigned to consult for an American oil firm for about two years, which meant Firoozeh, her brother Farshid, and her mother Nazireh, moved with him from their home in Iran.

Firoozeh was going to start school at Leffingwell Elementary, so a few days before school was set to begin, she got the opportunity to meet her new teacher, Mrs. Sandberg. Since neither firoozeh or her mother spoke any English, the conversation was mostly her father speaking to Mrs. Sandberg. Firoozeh did get a chance to show off her English skills however by reciting the colors she knew how to say.

On the first day of school, Kazem insists that Nazireh accompany Firoozeh, though Firoozeh doesn't know why two people not speaking English is better than one. The teacher asks Nazireh to point out Iran on a map for the students, but when Nazireh is unable to, both firoozeh and Nizireh are embarassed.

After school, despite only being a few blocks from their new home, Firoozeh and her mother are unable to find their way back. Fortunately, they are helped by a young girl and her mother who are able to assist in finding the way to their house.

Notes: This chapter sets up the struggles Firoozeh has in America quite well. From the start she runs into difficulties with no easy way of overcoming them. That gives her motivation to work hard in an effort to learn the language and the culture of her new home.