Mrs Khan

Outer characterization

Mrs Khan from the short story “The Mother of the Child in Question” by Doris Lessing is the mother of Shireen and Hassan. She also has two older daughters. Mrs Khan is described as plump and pretty, wearing trousers and a pink silk flowered tunic (p. 152, ll. 7-9). She also wears a “pink gauzy scarf” (p. 152, l. 12). Mrs Khan is Pakistani and wears traditional clothes. She lives in a tower block with appears desolate and dirty on the outside. However, their house looks well-furnished and comfortable, and we are told that the family has money (p. 153, l. 11). 

Inner characterization

Mrs Khan is strong-willed. She does not allow herself to be convinced by Stephen’s arguments that Shireen should go to the special school (p. 154, ll. 1-5). This highlights Mrs Khan’s stubborn nature and her belief that she knows what is best for her child. 

She also appears authoritative, nodding “commandingly at her son” (...

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