Plot, Setting, Characters & Theme
Plot
The Breadwinner tells the story of a young family living in Kabul during which time the Taliban, an Afghan Political Party with strong religious views, has taken control. Parvana, a young girl who once lived in a beautiful home with her sibilings and two well-educated and working parents, now lives in a bombed-out 4 walled apartment building with the loss of her oldest brother, a mother who is forbidden to work, and a father whose has lost his leg and reads letters for money from a blanket in the marketplace. Without any question the lives of Parvana and her family have taken a turn for the worse but her father is loyal to his city and insists they do not leave like many other families have.
Late one evening Parvana's home is invaded by the Taliban. They brutally attack her and her family members and arrest her father because of his foreign education. Without a male in their house-hold Parvana along with her mother, two sisters and baby brother have no means of earning any money to meet the family's basic needs. Parvana's family soon after realizes that without a man in their family they have little means of surviving. The family is faced with a less than satisfying solution; Parvana must play the role of her family's male cousin.
Although frightened and unsure, Parvana bravely agrees to the plan. Her mother cuts her hair short and she dresses in the clothes of her passed brother. Parvana is forced to risk her life everyday when she steps out into the streets of Kabul disguised as a young boy.
This novel tells the story of Parvana's experience of working in the streets as boy in the war-stricken city of Kabul. Before going into disguise Parvana had once longed to have the job of the young boys running through the streets with trays of goods to sell. Within only a short time Parvana quickly learns that Kabul is a difficult place to survive regardless of your gender and must rise-up in the face of adversity.
Late one evening Parvana's home is invaded by the Taliban. They brutally attack her and her family members and arrest her father because of his foreign education. Without a male in their house-hold Parvana along with her mother, two sisters and baby brother have no means of earning any money to meet the family's basic needs. Parvana's family soon after realizes that without a man in their family they have little means of surviving. The family is faced with a less than satisfying solution; Parvana must play the role of her family's male cousin.
Although frightened and unsure, Parvana bravely agrees to the plan. Her mother cuts her hair short and she dresses in the clothes of her passed brother. Parvana is forced to risk her life everyday when she steps out into the streets of Kabul disguised as a young boy.
This novel tells the story of Parvana's experience of working in the streets as boy in the war-stricken city of Kabul. Before going into disguise Parvana had once longed to have the job of the young boys running through the streets with trays of goods to sell. Within only a short time Parvana quickly learns that Kabul is a difficult place to survive regardless of your gender and must rise-up in the face of adversity.
Setting
This novel takes place in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city. The story is set only a couple short years after the Taliban militia had taken over the city in September of 1996. Afghanistan is a country located in central Asia well known for the Hindu kush mountain range.
This novel is an interpretation of real events. The story the author has recreated is set in a time where women are no longer treated like human beings. Instead they are forced to remain within the confines of their homes. They can not walk the streets without being escorted by a man and fully covered in a burqa. Women do not have rights, they can not work, they can not learn, they are imprisoned by their surroundings. The city is falling apart due to continual bombings that have occurred. While we are told that much of the war has moved North of Kabul you can still see its effects. Families have lost loved ones and suffer from health and poverty issues daily. Kabul is no longer the city it once was.
This novel is an interpretation of real events. The story the author has recreated is set in a time where women are no longer treated like human beings. Instead they are forced to remain within the confines of their homes. They can not walk the streets without being escorted by a man and fully covered in a burqa. Women do not have rights, they can not work, they can not learn, they are imprisoned by their surroundings. The city is falling apart due to continual bombings that have occurred. While we are told that much of the war has moved North of Kabul you can still see its effects. Families have lost loved ones and suffer from health and poverty issues daily. Kabul is no longer the city it once was.
Main Characters
Parvana - The Breadwinner's protagonist; Parvana is a brave and strong-willed 11 year old girl who disguises herself as a boy to earn money for her family. Parvana is cunning and loyal to her family. She works hard to help her family and spends a large portion of her time finding new ways to make more money for her family.
Fatana - Fatana is Parvana's mother. Before the Taliban took control of Kabul she worked as a writer. Throughout the novel it is made clear that Fatana wants to leave Kabul, but her husband believes they should stay. After the loss of her son and arrest of her husband, Fatana breaks down and goes into depression for several extended periods throughout the text.
Father - Parvana's father is only in the text briefly at the beginning and end. He was originally a well-educated school teacher before the war cost him his job and health. He values education strongly and believes it is a right of all humans not just men. Parvana's father is very loyal to his country and keeps the family within Kabul, in hopes of being there to rebuild the city once the war is over.
Mrs. Weera - Parvana's school Gym Teacher. Mrs. Weera is a strong and powerful character, she comes to live with Parvana's family within the first half of the text to help and support Fatana with her family. Parvana describes Mrs. Weera as the "team captain". During this time Mrs. Weera starts an illegal newspaper with the help of Parvana's mother and other women to keep locals of Kabul informed she also starts a secret school for a small group of young girls to attend.
Nooria - Parvana's oldest sister. In the beginning of the novel it could be argued that Nooria acts as a foil to Parvana's character, they highlight key differences in one another only to realize they share many of the same experiences and misfortunes. Parvana initially describes her sister as very bossy and rude, but this personality is likely a result of Nooria having to grow-up much faster than she would have liked. Nooria is essentially trapped within her home and is forced to raise her siblings and run the house while her mother is in her deep state of depression. Over the course of the text Parvana and Nooria become closer. It seems that Parvana becomes more understanding of Nooria's situation, after she has experienced taking care of the family as well.
Shauzia - A classmate of Parvana's. Parvana and Shauzia had originally attended school together before being banned from their education. Shauzia and Parvana both support their families by dressing as boys and working in the market. Throughout the text girls become very close despite their different values. Shauzia wants to leave her family in hopes of finding a better life for herself in another country while Parvana sympathizes with Shauzia but believes she should stay and support her family.
The Woman in the Window - Although we are never introduced to this character. Parvana befriends a woman who lives within the building that Parvana works near. Parvana never meets the woman but they exchange gifts through out the text acting as companions and symbolizing hope for one another.
Maryam - Parvana's younger sister
Ali - Parvana's infant brother
Fatana - Fatana is Parvana's mother. Before the Taliban took control of Kabul she worked as a writer. Throughout the novel it is made clear that Fatana wants to leave Kabul, but her husband believes they should stay. After the loss of her son and arrest of her husband, Fatana breaks down and goes into depression for several extended periods throughout the text.
Father - Parvana's father is only in the text briefly at the beginning and end. He was originally a well-educated school teacher before the war cost him his job and health. He values education strongly and believes it is a right of all humans not just men. Parvana's father is very loyal to his country and keeps the family within Kabul, in hopes of being there to rebuild the city once the war is over.
Mrs. Weera - Parvana's school Gym Teacher. Mrs. Weera is a strong and powerful character, she comes to live with Parvana's family within the first half of the text to help and support Fatana with her family. Parvana describes Mrs. Weera as the "team captain". During this time Mrs. Weera starts an illegal newspaper with the help of Parvana's mother and other women to keep locals of Kabul informed she also starts a secret school for a small group of young girls to attend.
Nooria - Parvana's oldest sister. In the beginning of the novel it could be argued that Nooria acts as a foil to Parvana's character, they highlight key differences in one another only to realize they share many of the same experiences and misfortunes. Parvana initially describes her sister as very bossy and rude, but this personality is likely a result of Nooria having to grow-up much faster than she would have liked. Nooria is essentially trapped within her home and is forced to raise her siblings and run the house while her mother is in her deep state of depression. Over the course of the text Parvana and Nooria become closer. It seems that Parvana becomes more understanding of Nooria's situation, after she has experienced taking care of the family as well.
Shauzia - A classmate of Parvana's. Parvana and Shauzia had originally attended school together before being banned from their education. Shauzia and Parvana both support their families by dressing as boys and working in the market. Throughout the text girls become very close despite their different values. Shauzia wants to leave her family in hopes of finding a better life for herself in another country while Parvana sympathizes with Shauzia but believes she should stay and support her family.
The Woman in the Window - Although we are never introduced to this character. Parvana befriends a woman who lives within the building that Parvana works near. Parvana never meets the woman but they exchange gifts through out the text acting as companions and symbolizing hope for one another.
Maryam - Parvana's younger sister
Ali - Parvana's infant brother
Theme
The most prevalent themes within The Breadwinner include Loyalty, Survival, Family, Friendship and Hope. Every action Parvana takes (while she is dressed as a boy) throughout the text is for survival. She takes on the role of the breadwinner so that she can support her family and do her part in helping out. Mrs. Weera emphasizes the importance of family and loyalty. She teaches the family that they must work as a team and every member must do their share to help one another survive.
The friendships that Parvana develops outside of her home play a crucial role in her success. Shauzia teaches her how to make money more efficiently and guides her through the marketplaces. Both girls act as a support system for one another while they are forced to work in horrific conditions.
The gifts sent from the woman in the window are often what life Parvana's spirits when she is faced with adversity. Although the woman is hidden behind darkness and is never fully seen by Parvana, she manages to provide Parvana with hope and reason to keep on fighting for her family.
The friendships that Parvana develops outside of her home play a crucial role in her success. Shauzia teaches her how to make money more efficiently and guides her through the marketplaces. Both girls act as a support system for one another while they are forced to work in horrific conditions.
The gifts sent from the woman in the window are often what life Parvana's spirits when she is faced with adversity. Although the woman is hidden behind darkness and is never fully seen by Parvana, she manages to provide Parvana with hope and reason to keep on fighting for her family.