Which point of view has the novel? If it is written from Firdaus' point of view, then if the character doesn't know, the reader doesn't either. And in some stories that are also the point. That you don't know and are left guessing.

The process from Kafka does this.

Not saying that this means the novel works, just that they might have tried to go for that. Leaving you wondering about why such abuse might exactly be the point. Because many times there is no real point or reason in violence.