Study Notes on The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Background

• Definition of Breadwinner: A person who earns money to support a family.

• Setting: This story takes place in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the 1990s.

• Political Context: The Taliban, a brutal political group, held power over most of Afghanistan at this time.

• Impact of Taliban Rules:

  • Strict rules restricted the behavior of women and girls.

  • Girls were not allowed to go to school or to go to the store.

• Family Situation:

  • Parvana’s father has been imprisoned.

  • Her brother, Hossain, has been killed.

  • The family must find ways to get food and supplies without the support of male family members.

Summary of Characters

• Parvana: The protagonist, a young girl whose family faces hardship.

• Parvana's Family:

  • Mother

  • Older sister Nooria

  • Younger sister Maryam

  • Baby brother Ali

• Mrs. Weera: Parvana’s mother’s friend who aids in the plan.

Decision to Dress as a Boy

• Plan:

  • Parvana’s mother and Mrs. Weera decide that Parvana will dress as a boy to go to the market.

  • They will claim that she is a cousin visiting from another city.

• Rationale: If anyone inquires about Parvana, they will respond that she has gone to stay with an aunt.

• Nooria's Statement: Nooria mentions that it doesn’t matter if Parvana leaves as nobody will notice she is gone.

  • Initially, Parvana is upset by this remark but reflects and finds it likely true.

Parvana's Hesitation and Haircut

• Concerns:

  • Parvana is worried that her long hair could reveal her identity as a girl.

• Resistance to Change:

  • Parvana is hesitant to cut her hair, expressing a desire to avoid that transformation.

  • Concerns are raised that no one else in the family can pass as a boy.

• Mrs. Weera's Argument:

  • She emphasizes to Parvana that they can force her to cut her hair, but she must cooperate beyond that.

  • It is ultimately Parvana's decision to proceed.

• Result of Decision:

  • Parvana agrees to have her hair cut, preferring not to have Nooria do it due to their tension.

  • Her mother cuts the hair off at the neck and ties it with a ribbon for Parvana to keep.

  • As she sees herself in short hair, Parvana begins to accept her new identity, feeling like she has a nice face with hair that suits her.

Dressed as Hossain

• Transformation:

  • Parvana changes into her brother Hossain’s clothes.

• Family Reactions:

  • When she returns, her younger sister Maryam does not initially recognize her.

  • Parvana’s mother appears upset at seeing her in Hossain’s clothes.

  • Nooria's teasing is used to deflect Mother's sadness.

• Final Preparations:

  • Mother hands Parvana money and she reaches for a chador.

  • Realization: Parvana acknowledges she doesn’t need the chador as she is disguised as a boy.

Stepping into the Market

• Initial Fear:

  • Parvana experiences fear just before leaving the house, pleading with her mother not to send her out.

• Sibling Teasing:

  • Nooria’s teasing prompts Parvana to assert her courage, as Nooria remains safe at home.

  • Parvana leaves angrily, slamming the door.

• Market Experience:

  • Upon going to the market, Parvana is consciously aware of being seen differently.

  • In the past, she tried to remain invisible.

  • Now, with her face exposed, she feels invisible in another sense—just another boy among many, not worth noticing.