Ismail is out of work despite am obvious willingness to do almost anything to earn enough to provide for his family. He is too well educated for the jobs he hopes to find, but not well enough connected to find the work he is capable of doing. He joins the labour market (much like the colonial slave markets of the 18th century) daily, only to return to his beloved and beautiful wife demoralized and without money. His wife, her mother, and their baby are totally dependent on him, so he submits to two humiliating tasks: poisoning the local stray dogs and begging his father for part of his inheritance.