Parvana's Journey: Context and Family Life

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Questions and Answers

Why is Parvana in the Kabul Market?

To help her father walk.

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.

They ordered girls and women to stay inside their homes.

How long has Parvana and her family been under these restrictions?

More than a year Signup and view all the answers

How old is Parvana?

11 years old Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Parvana's father's leg?

It was lost during a bombing at her father's old school. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Parvana afraid to look at the Taliban soldiers?

She had seen them whip or beat women they thought should be punished. Signup and view all the answers

Why did many of Parvana's friends flee Afghanistan with their families?

The bombing Signup and view all the answers

Explain Parvana's father's quote, 'Afghans cover the Earth like stars cover the sky.'

They move and scatter so often. Signup and view all the answers

What language does Parvana speak?

Dari Signup and view all the answers

In what country did Parvana's father go to university?

England Signup and view all the answers

What is Parvana's favorite subject?

History Signup and view all the answers

What did the conqueror Tamerlane from Samarkand do to his enemies?

Cut off their heads and piled them on top of one another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital city of Afghanistan?

Kabul Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Parvana wasn't terribly unhappy about not going to school.

She was in trouble in class for talking, and didn't study for a math test. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Parvana and her family living in one room?

As they kept on moving, they also kept on losing items of value. Signup and view all the answers

How long has the war been going on in Afghanistan?

More than 20 years Signup and view all the answers

What is Nooria's opinion on why the Soviets left Afghanistan?

Parvana was so 'ugly' that they ran away in horror. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the word, Taliban?

Religious scholars Signup and view all the answers

Describe the items Parvana's father was trying to sell in the marketplace.

Dishes, pillowcases, and household ornaments Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Parvana's father's false leg?

He sold it Signup and view all the answers

Describe the emotions that Parvana is experiencing.

She felt angry, but sad at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a burqa?

A covering for women that covers the entire body except mesh eye hole. Signup and view all the answers

What is a toshak?

A narrow mattress used in many Afghan homes instead of chairs or beds. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chador?

A piece of cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't Parvana's mother and sister, Nooria, carry a pail of water up the stairs?

They are wearing burqas and can't carry water pails up uneven stairs without tripping. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the conditions Parvana and her family are living in.

She has a tall cabinet full of old memoirs from their old houses, and cheap matting on a cement floor. There is a platform toilet in a small room. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Parvana's father advise her to keep to herself?

The Taliban encourage neighbors to spy on neighbors. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Parvana feel so lonely?

Father had his books, Maryam played with Ali, Nooria has Mother, and Parvana has nobody. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Shalwar Kameez?

A long loose shirt and trousers. Signup and view all the answers

Define Eid.

A Moslem festival coming at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Parvana's aunt live?

Mazar-E-Sharif Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Parvana's brother, Hossain?

Hossain was killed by a landmine at age 14. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Parvana and her family eat dinner.

They sit on the floor, around a plastic cloth spread out on the floor. Signup and view all the answers

Define nan.

Afghan flat bread Signup and view all the answers

What subject did Parvana's father teach?

History Signup and view all the answers

What country were the Afghans fighting in 1880?

The British/England Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the Taliban enters Parvana's home.

They took Father away, and whacked Mother and Parvana. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Taliban do with books they did not like?

They burned them. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Parvana miss Father's snoring?

It helped her feel safe. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Parvana's aunt arrested?

Protesting Signup and view all the answers

Why does Parvana want to put a light in the window?

To lead the way for Father to come back. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the Taliban ordered all windows to be painted with black paint.

To cover people from seeing the women inside. Signup and view all the answers

Why were Parvana and her mother not allowed on the bus?

Because they did not have a man with them. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Parvana insist that Nooria write a note for their mother?

To show that they had 'permission' from the 'father' Signup and view all the answers

Why did Parvana hold her breath every time her mother held out a photograph of her father?

Photographs were illegal Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the soldiers react to Parvana and her mother's request to release their father/husband.

They ignored first, then beat them and demanded them to go away. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Parvana's and her mother's feet?

They were covered in blisters and blood. Signup and view all the answers

How does Parvana's mother react towards Father's request to write?

She said not to, due to pointlessness, but she could have if they moved. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Parvana's dream.

Parvana saw the Taliban beating mother and ignoring Parvana. Signup and view all the answers

What part of father's face is missing from the puzzle?

His chin Signup and view all the answers

Why is Parvana afraid to take out Father's secret books?

The Taliban might burst in again. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how Parvana's mother is reacting to Father being in prison.

She is lying on the floor, staring at the wall, depressed. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the women had to shop in the marketplace.

By calling out into the shop. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen to shopkeepers if they had served a woman inside their shop?

They would be beaten. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Parvana apprehensive about shopping in the marketplace?

If she stayed outside and yelled into the shop, she would be yelled at for not wearing a burqa. If she went into the shop, she would be punished for doing so. Signup and view all the answers

What does the smell of the bread remind Parvana of?

How hungry she was. Signup and view all the answers

What union did Mother and Mrs. Weera belong to?

The Afghan Women's Union Signup and view all the answers

What was Mrs. Weera's occupation before the Taliban made her leave her job?

A physical education teacher Signup and view all the answers

Why must Parvana boil the water before she drinks it?

She will get sick from drinking unpure water. Signup and view all the answers

What will Parvana turn into?

She will turn into a boy. Signup and view all the answers

What will Parvana's alibi be?

She is a distant cousin from Jalalabad. Signup and view all the answers

Whose clothes will Parvana be wearing?

Hossain's Signup and view all the answers

How did Parvana feel when her mother cut her hair off?

She felt as if her hair wasn't as important anymore. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Hossain's clothing.

Hossain's clothing is a loose shirt with baggy trousers. Signup and view all the answers

How does Nooria react to Parvana's transformation?

She says she looks less ugly. Signup and view all the answers

Define pakul. Who did the pakul belong to?

A pakul is a woolen blanket shawl. It was her father's. Signup and view all the answers

How does Parvana feel when she enters the street in her new disguise?

Confident. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Mother return to the toshak?

She was mourning and upset. Signup and view all the answers

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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Description

Explore the challenges faced by Parvana in 'Parvana's Journey' as she navigates life under Taliban restrictions in war-torn Afghanistan. This quiz delves into her family's daily struggles, the impact of historical events, and the cultural limitations placed on women. Test your understanding of the themes and context surrounding Parvana's experiences.