A patriot is not just some guy who is good at football—it's a person who loves their country so much that he or she would fight to protect the rights and freedoms that their country values. In Forgotten Fire, Armenians are singled out, their presence deemed unacceptable regardless of their opinions about the war or Turks. The book shows us the seedy underbelly of patriotism—patriotism gone horribly wrong. Vahan and his family may never have wanted to fight for the right to be Armenian, but they aren't given any choice in the end.
Questions About Patriotism
- Look up the definitions of patriotism and nationalism. Is Forgotten Fire an example of one or the other? Why?
- Why does Vahan need to travel to Constantinople to find peace? Why can't he stay in Turkey?
- In which moment is Vahan most patriotic in the book? Why? How does he feel about pretending to be part of the Turkish army?
- Is Forgotten Fire a distinctly Armenian book, or could it be a patriotic story for any country?
Chew on This
Forgotten Fire might be about Armenians during the Turkish-Armenian war, but in reality, it's a story of hope and perseverance that knows no specific nationality.
For Vahan, the most patriotic moments are when he's suffering for his heritage. In a strange way, seeing Armenians singled out and treated poorly makes him more proud to be Armenian.