Children are our future, right? Well, someone needs to tell the adults of Forgotten Fire, because, for the most part, they seem to see children as little brutes who need to be beaten, abused, raped, starved, and maltreated into submission. From the soldiers at Goryan's Inn, to Selim Bey's men, to the German consul, the (Turkish) adults in this book all treat children in unspeakable ways. Innocence doesn't stand a chance. So it's no surprise that Vahan grows up very quickly during the Armenian genocide—it's pretty much not optional.
Questions About Innocence
- When, if ever, does Vahan lose his innocence? Is there a specific moment, does it happen gradually, or is it something that happens over and over again?
- At first Vahan doesn't understand why his uncle would give his sisters poison. How does his perspective on life and death change over time?
- Innocence is often associated with childhood. Are any adults in this novel innocent?
- Does Vahan remain innocent about anything in the end? He's seen graphic and horrific things, but is any part of him innocent still?
Chew on This
Even though Vahan is not immune to the degradation of his spirit, he manages to cling to his personhood through his connection with his father.
Vahan changes from an innocent kid to a skeptical, mistrusting adolescent in Forgotten Fire because of the horrors he sees. In the end, he is no longer innocent.