Internment Character Analysis

Layla Amin

The novel’s 17-year-old protagonist, Layla lives in a college town in California. Her family is Muslim. Layla’s dad, a poet, wrote one vaguely political poem—and so amid rising anti-Muslim sentiment, the family is interned… read analysis of Layla Amin

David

David is Layla’s boyfriend. He’s Ashkenazi Jewish and his mom is from Yemen, and so it’s no surprise to Layla that he resents the government’s willingness to target Muslim Americans in the novel’s present… read analysis of David

Mom

Layla’s mom is a chiropractor. Both she and Dad believe it’s extremely important to maintain pride in the fact that they’re Muslim, and to be open about this fact. This is why, more than… read analysis of Mom

Dad

Layla’s dad is a poet and was a professor at their local college until Muslims were barred from holding public sector jobs. His poetry, which is mostly about noticing the beauty in small moments… read analysis of Dad

Ayesha

Ayesha is Layla’s best friend at Camp Mobius. A fellow desi with a short bob, she’s similarly well read and likes many of the same pop culture things as Layla and her parents. Though… read analysis of Ayesha

Corporal Jake Reynolds/Compass Tattoo

A member of the National Guard whose unit was absorbed into the Exclusion Guards, Jake is a guard at Camp Mobius who doesn’t believe it’s acceptable for the government to incarcerate Muslim Americans. So, he… read analysis of Corporal Jake Reynolds/Compass Tattoo

Soheil

Soheil is one of Layla’s friends at Camp Mobius. He helps her and Ayesha plan protests as he and Ayesha develop mutual crushes on each other. Soheil is a huge support and cheerleader as… read analysis of Soheil

The Director

The novel’s antagonist, the Director is in charge at Camp Mobius. He’s a large, blotchy man who always wears a tight, hot suit and never seems to be able to get enough air. Whenever he… read analysis of The Director

Saleem

Saleem and his wife, Fauzia, are the minders for Layla’s block. Saleem is very invested in pleasing the Director, even if it means selling out fellow Muslims to do so, which leads… read analysis of Saleem

Fauzia

Fauzia is Saleem’s wife and one of Layla’s block’s minders. While it’s implied that she willingly agreed to go along with surveilling her fellow Muslims in her capacity as a minder, she’s not… read analysis of Fauzia

Noor

Noor is a hijabi college student interned at Camp Mobius whom the Exclusion Guards drag away and “disappear.” Later, her American flag scarf shows up on the admin building, bloody and with “resist” written on… read analysis of Noor

Suraya

Suraya is a Black hijabi girl interned at Camp Mobius. She and several of her friends join Layla in organizing and protesting after the initial dinner fast. Layla initially wrote Suraya and her friends off… read analysis of Suraya

Dr. Han

Dr. Han is a doctor and a National Guard servicemember; she’s above Jake in rank. Jake brings her in to attend to Layla’s wounds after the Director’s assault, and she also records Layla’s… read analysis of Dr. Han

Khadijah Auntie

Khadijah auntie is an octogenarian woman in Layla’s block at Camp Mobius. Despite her age, she reveals herself to be as revolutionary-minded as the young people at the camp: she’s one of the first… read analysis of Khadijah Auntie

The Police Chief

The police chief in Layla’s town drives her, Mom, and Dad to the train station in Los Angeles following the order that they’re being “relocated.” Layla finds this absurd: she’s known the chief… read analysis of The Police Chief

David’s Dad

David’s dad is a former State Department employee. He’s also Jewish and, disappointingly for both Layla and David, he’s been going along with the anti-Muslim rhetoric swirling since the election. Though he initially refuses… read analysis of David’s Dad

Minor Characters

David’s Mom

David’s mom is a Jewish woman from Yemen. Due to her identity, both Layla and David find it shocking and heartbreaking that she goes along with the anti-Muslim rhetoric and even supports the laws barring Muslims from holding public sector jobs.

Mrs. Brown

Mrs. Brown is a baker in Layla’s town who used to be friendly to the Ali family. However, in the novel’s present, Layla runs into Mrs. Brown taking Dad’s poetry collection to burn at the city’s book-burning event.

Nanni

Layla’s deceased grandmother, Nanni, is a major guiding force for Layla. Layla often falls back on several of Nanni’s favorite prayers. She also finds wisdom in one of Nanni’s favorite sayings, which essentially says that while prayer is important, it’s even more important to act.

Fred Adams

Fred is an Exclusion Guard and Jake’s friend, so he helps protect the internees and create opportunities for Layla and her friends to plan protests.

Abdul

Abdul is an interned teen who initially expresses interest in joining Layla and her friends in protesting their internment. However, he’s rude and bigoted himself, insulting Suraya for wearing hijab and ultimately selling the group out to the Director.

Asmaa

Asmaa is a young woman who is assaulted and disappeared when she and Bilqis protest Noor’s arrest. She, Bilqis, and Noor never return.

Bilqis

Bilqis is a young woman who is assaulted and disappeared when she and Asmaa protest Noor’s arrest. She never returns to the camp, and it’s unclear if she survives.

Nadeem

Nadeem is Nadia’s twin. He helps Layla plan the dinnertime fast and other protests. He lives in Soheil’s block and is a bit older than Layla and Ayesha.

Nadia

Nadia is Nadeem’s twin. She’s one of the original group of teens that helps Layla plan the dinnertime fast. She lives in Soheil’s block and is a bit older than Layla and Ayesha.

Dr. Mahar

Dr. Mahar is the interned doctor at Camp Mobius.

Internment Characters