Shangla Village Life and Gender Roles

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Questions and Answers

How does the author implicitly critique the traditional game of 'Wedding' played by the girls?

By highlighting the girls' lack of genuine understanding of marital responsibilities.
By contrasting the playful depiction of marriage with the harsh realities faced by women in the mountains. (correct)
By emphasizing the economic burden placed on families when arranging marriages for their daughters.
By suggesting that the game perpetuates gender stereotypes and limits girls' aspirations.

What does the lack of modern facilities in Shangla implicitly suggest about the region's socio-economic status and its relationship with broader societal development?

It demonstrates the region's resilience in maintaining its unique cultural identity despite external influences.
It implies that the community is content with its simple lifestyle and has no desire for modern amenities.
It indicates a self-sufficient community that prioritizes traditional values over modernization.
It highlights the region's isolation and marginalization from mainstream development and essential services. (correct)

Considering the cultural context, what is the most likely reason the author’s cousins tease her for wearing bazaar-bought clothes instead of homemade ones?

They envy her access to modern goods and are expressing their resentment.
They perceive her clothing as a rejection of their traditional way of life and values. (correct)
They are trying to assert their dominance and make her feel out of place in their community.
They are genuinely curious about her fashion choices and want to learn more about city styles.

How does contrasting the author's 'city girl' identity with her experience in the village exposes the complexities of cultural identity and social perception?

It highlights the fluidity of identity and how perceptions of modernity and backwardness vary depending on the context. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the description of the feast at Small Eid contrast with the earlier depiction of poverty in Shangla, and what does it imply about the community's values and priorities?

It indicates that the community is only poor in material possessions but rich in cultural traditions and social bonds. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason that the author emphasizes her mother's illiteracy as an 'unspoken sadness'?

The author recognizes the limitations and missed opportunities her mother faces due to illiteracy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Given the broader context of gender inequality, what does the statement 'Why send a daughter to school?' primarily reveal about societal attitudes?

It underscores a deep-seated belief that a woman's primary role is within the domestic sphere. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the description of the Flying Coach climbing higher and higher, until only mountains and a 'sliver of sky' are visible, symbolically represent the challenges and constraints faced by the people in Shangla?

It symbolizes the limited physical and geographical boundaries that restrict their movement and opportunities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Considering the sociopolitical climate, what does the act of women having to hide their faces suggest about the power dynamics and social control within the community?

It represents a form of systemic oppression that restricts women's autonomy and visibility. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What underlying message is conveyed by the detail that men often leave the villages to work in distant and dangerous locations?

It suggests a lack of viable economic opportunities within the villages, compelling men to seek alternative employment. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Gender roles in the village

In the village, traditional gender roles restrict women from education and social freedom.

Illiteracy among women

Many women, including Malala's mother, could not read, reflecting a broader societal issue.