Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why is Parvana in the Kabul Market?
Why is Parvana in the Kabul Market?
To help her father walk.
What is Parvana's head and face covered by?
What is Parvana's head and face covered by?
Her chador
Explain the restrictions that the Taliban had placed on all girls and women living in Afghanistan.
Explain the restrictions that the Taliban had placed on all girls and women living in Afghanistan.
They ordered girls and women to stay inside their homes.
How long has Parvana and her family been under these restrictions?
How long has Parvana and her family been under these restrictions?
How old is Parvana?
How old is Parvana?
What happened to Parvana's father's leg?
What happened to Parvana's father's leg?
Why is Parvana afraid to look at the Taliban soldiers?
Why is Parvana afraid to look at the Taliban soldiers?
Why did many of Parvana's friends flee Afghanistan with their families?
Why did many of Parvana's friends flee Afghanistan with their families?
Explain Parvana's father's quote, 'Afghans cover the Earth like stars cover the sky.'
Explain Parvana's father's quote, 'Afghans cover the Earth like stars cover the sky.'
What language does Parvana speak?
What language does Parvana speak?
In what country did Parvana's father go to university?
In what country did Parvana's father go to university?
What is Parvana's favorite subject?
What is Parvana's favorite subject?
What did the conqueror Tamerlane from Samarkand do to his enemies?
What did the conqueror Tamerlane from Samarkand do to his enemies?
What is the capital city of Afghanistan?
What is the capital city of Afghanistan?
Explain why Parvana wasn't terribly unhappy about not going to school.
Explain why Parvana wasn't terribly unhappy about not going to school.
Why are Parvana and her family living in one room?
Why are Parvana and her family living in one room?
How long has the war been going on in Afghanistan?
How long has the war been going on in Afghanistan?
What is Nooria's opinion on why the Soviets left Afghanistan?
What is Nooria's opinion on why the Soviets left Afghanistan?
What is the meaning of the word, Taliban?
What is the meaning of the word, Taliban?
Describe the items Parvana's father was trying to sell in the marketplace.
Describe the items Parvana's father was trying to sell in the marketplace.
What happened to Parvana's father's false leg?
What happened to Parvana's father's false leg?
Describe the emotions that Parvana is experiencing.
Describe the emotions that Parvana is experiencing.
What is a burqa?
What is a burqa?
What is a toshak?
What is a toshak?
What is a chador?
What is a chador?
Why can't Parvana's mother and sister, Nooria, carry a pail of water up the stairs?
Why can't Parvana's mother and sister, Nooria, carry a pail of water up the stairs?
Describe the conditions Parvana and her family are living in.
Describe the conditions Parvana and her family are living in.
Why does Parvana's father advise her to keep to herself?
Why does Parvana's father advise her to keep to herself?
Why does Parvana feel so lonely?
Why does Parvana feel so lonely?
What is a Shalwar Kameez?
What is a Shalwar Kameez?
Define Eid.
Define Eid.
Where does Parvana's aunt live?
Where does Parvana's aunt live?
What happened to Parvana's brother, Hossain?
What happened to Parvana's brother, Hossain?
Describe how Parvana and her family eat dinner.
Describe how Parvana and her family eat dinner.
Define nan.
Define nan.
What subject did Parvana's father teach?
What subject did Parvana's father teach?
What country were the Afghans fighting in 1880?
What country were the Afghans fighting in 1880?
Explain why the Taliban enters Parvana's home.
Explain why the Taliban enters Parvana's home.
What did the Taliban do with books they did not like?
What did the Taliban do with books they did not like?
Why does Parvana miss Father's snoring?
Why does Parvana miss Father's snoring?
Why was Parvana's aunt arrested?
Why was Parvana's aunt arrested?
Why does Parvana want to put a light in the window?
Why does Parvana want to put a light in the window?
Explain why the Taliban ordered all windows to be painted with black paint.
Explain why the Taliban ordered all windows to be painted with black paint.
Why were Parvana and her mother not allowed on the bus?
Why were Parvana and her mother not allowed on the bus?
Why does Parvana insist that Nooria write a note for their mother?
Why does Parvana insist that Nooria write a note for their mother?
Why did Parvana hold her breath every time her mother held out a photograph of her father?
Why did Parvana hold her breath every time her mother held out a photograph of her father?
Describe how the soldiers react to Parvana and her mother's request to release their father/husband.
Describe how the soldiers react to Parvana and her mother's request to release their father/husband.
What happened to Parvana's and her mother's feet?
What happened to Parvana's and her mother's feet?
How does Parvana's mother react towards Father's request to write?
How does Parvana's mother react towards Father's request to write?
Describe Parvana's dream.
Describe Parvana's dream.
What part of father's face is missing from the puzzle?
What part of father's face is missing from the puzzle?
Why is Parvana afraid to take out Father's secret books?
Why is Parvana afraid to take out Father's secret books?
Describe how Parvana's mother is reacting to Father being in prison.
Describe how Parvana's mother is reacting to Father being in prison.
Describe how the women had to shop in the marketplace.
Describe how the women had to shop in the marketplace.
What would happen to shopkeepers if they had served a woman inside their shop?
What would happen to shopkeepers if they had served a woman inside their shop?
Why is Parvana apprehensive about shopping in the marketplace?
Why is Parvana apprehensive about shopping in the marketplace?
What does the smell of the bread remind Parvana of?
What does the smell of the bread remind Parvana of?
What union did Mother and Mrs. Weera belong to?
What union did Mother and Mrs. Weera belong to?
What was Mrs. Weera's occupation before the Taliban made her leave her job?
What was Mrs. Weera's occupation before the Taliban made her leave her job?
Why must Parvana boil the water before she drinks it?
Why must Parvana boil the water before she drinks it?
What will Parvana turn into?
What will Parvana turn into?
What will Parvana's alibi be?
What will Parvana's alibi be?
Whose clothes will Parvana be wearing?
Whose clothes will Parvana be wearing?
How did Parvana feel when her mother cut her hair off?
How did Parvana feel when her mother cut her hair off?
Describe Hossain's clothing.
Describe Hossain's clothing.
How does Nooria react to Parvana's transformation?
How does Nooria react to Parvana's transformation?
Define pakul. Who did the pakul belong to?
Define pakul. Who did the pakul belong to?
How does Parvana feel when she enters the street in her new disguise?
How does Parvana feel when she enters the street in her new disguise?
Why did Mother return to the toshak?
Why did Mother return to the toshak?
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Study Notes
Parvana's Journey and Context
- Parvana assists her father in the Kabul market, essential for their family's survival.
- Under Taliban restrictions, girls and women are mandated to stay indoors, affecting Parvana's education and social life.
- Parvana is 11 years old, living in oppressive conditions for over a year due to war.
- Her father's leg was amputated during a bombing, signifying the ongoing violence in Afghanistan.
Family Dynamics and Daily Life
- The family is forced to live in one room, having lost many possessions due to continuous displacement.
- Parvana's mother and sister can’t carry water up the stairs due to their burqas, illustrating the limitations placed on women.
- Meals are shared on the floor, demonstrating their humble living conditions.
Historical and Cultural References
- Tamerlane, a historical conqueror, infamously executed his enemies, showcasing the brutality of Afghanistan's past.
- The long conflict in Afghanistan has persisted for over 20 years, shaping the lives of its citizens.
- Eid is a significant festival in the Muslim calendar, marking the end of Ramadan, representing hope amid hardship.
The Role of Education and Knowledge
- Parvana's father, a history teacher, emphasizes the importance of education, even in dire situations.
- She speaks Dari, reflecting the linguistic identity of Afghan culture.
- History becomes a source of connection and comfort for Parvana despite the challenging circumstances.
Transformation and Resistance
- Parvana disguises herself as a boy to navigate the harsh realities imposed by the Taliban, showcasing her resilience.
- Her transformation involves cutting her hair and wearing her deceased brother Hossain's clothing, symbolizing sacrifice and the fight for survival.
- The act of disguising herself instills confidence in her as she embarks on fulfilling familial responsibilities.
Emotional and Psychological Struggles
- Parvana grapples with loneliness, feeling isolated as others in her family have their interests and connections.
- The trauma of witnessing violence and the imprisonment of her father leads to persistent fear and turmoil within her psyche.
- Her mother exhibits signs of depression and mourning for their lost family life, emphasizing the emotional toll of war.
Societal Constraints and Consequences
- Women face extreme restrictions in public life, such as being forbidden to ride buses without male accompaniment.
- Shopkeepers endure violence if they assist women directly, illustrating the oppressive environment for female citizens under Taliban rule.
- Parvana experiences guilt and apprehension about her actions in a society that punishes defiance.
Acts of Defiance and Hope
- Despite challenges, Parvana insists on keeping hope alive for her father's return, even putting a light in the window as a symbol of guidance.
- The narrative of "Afghans cover the Earth like stars cover the sky" reflects the displacement and resilience of the Afghan people throughout history.
- Parvana's involvement with the Afghan Women's Union highlights the struggle of women to assert their identity and rights amidst oppression.
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