Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Cultural issues that alter the life of the main character in Afghanistan

The first and foremost difference between the life of Parvana and that of a child in the United States is the extent to which gender defines the girl's life. Parvana lives in Afghanistan, under the rule of the Taliban. Because of her gender, she cannot obtain an education or work to help her family. Her entire life is defined and limited by the fact she is a girl -- her future destiny, the way people treat her, and the restrictions placed upon her life by the government. In the United States, although sexism still exists, women are not judged first and foremost by their sex by their employers, because to do so is against the law, and all children are entitled to an education.

Another difference between Parvana and a United States child of the same age is the way war encroaches upon every facet of her life. Although the United States is technically at war, it is easy to forget this fact if one does not have a family in the military. The conflict often 'feels' very far away in the United States. For Parvana, war is a constant presence in her life, and something that must be dealt with every day. When she was very young, she was able to live with her relatively well-educated family in a decently-sized house. She still remembers what her family's cars looked like. However, now, thanks to the war, the family has lost everything. It is dangerous to be outside without a man, and the women of the family struggle to find food and water because of the physical limitations of the burquas they are forced to wear. However, they are considered the 'lucky' ones -- some women who have lost limbs as a result of the war have had their prosthetics taken away by their husbands, to further limit their ability to be free, go outside, and to be functional in society.

Religion permeates Parvana's life. The Taliban rule her nation according to their narrow interpretation of the Koran. In the United States, there is a formal, legal separation between church and state. In Afghanistan, even a young child like Parvana is not permitted to go outside because this is considered 'immodest' for a woman. To be a woman in Taliban-dominated Afghanistan is to literally dwell in darkness. The women must be covered at all times and the windows of their houses are painted black so no one can see in. Life is utterly depressing and joyless, and while it is very difficult for men to live in war-torn Afghanistan, women lack even the ability to maintain an autonomous existence, to make money or enjoy the sunshine. When Parvana disguises herself as a boy so she can earn money, she views taking on the role of a male as an act of liberation. While girls and boys in most cultures are often very 'protective' of their gendered status, particularly if they are Parvana's age, Parvana is all too willing to cast her female identity away. It is a burden for her, not something to be welcomed.