The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Setting and Context

• The story takes place in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
• Women and girls are restricted from leaving their homes without a male escort and must wear clothing that covers their entire bodies.
• The Taliban are depicted as an extreme religious group enforcing strict rules.

Main Characters

• Parvana: An 11-year-old girl who helps her father in the market.
• Father: A former history teacher who is now unable to walk due to injuries from a bombing.
• Mother: A former writer for Kabul radio, now unable to work.
• Nooria: Parvana’s older sister who is frustrated by the restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
• Maryam and Ali: Parvana's younger siblings.
• Mrs. Weera: A former physical education teacher who becomes a source of support for Parvana's family.
• Shauzia: Parvana's former classmate who is also disguised as a boy.

Plot Summary

Chapter One

• Parvana assists her father at the market, reading letters for customers.
• The Taliban enforce strict rules, impacting daily life, especially for women.
• Father is arrested by the Taliban, leaving the family without a male escort.

Chapter Two

• The family struggles without Father; Parvana fetches water and helps with chores.
• Mother attempts to get Father released but is beaten by Taliban guards.
• Parvana takes on the responsibility of maintaining the household duties.

Parvana’s Transformation

• To support her family, Parvana disguises herself as a boy named Kaseem, cutting her hair and wearing her deceased brother’s clothes.
• As a boy, she can move freely in the market and earn money for her family.

New Experiences

• Parvana befriends Shauzia, who is also disguised as a boy.
• The girls find ways to make money, including selling goods and reading letters, but also digging up bones for resale.

The Family's Struggles

• Nooria is set to marry in Mazar-e-Sharif, where Taliban influence is less severe.
• Parvana stays behind in Kabul with Mrs. Weera.
• Parvana deals with her emotions about the separation from her family.

Key Events

• The Taliban’s brutal enforcement, including public punishments, is witnessed by Parvana and Shauzia.
• Parvana finds small gifts from a mysterious window woman in the market, creating a silent bond.
• Homa, a girl escaped from Mazar-e-Sharif, brings news of Taliban’s capture of the city, adding to Parvana’s distress.

Reunion and Transition

• Father is eventually released from prison, weak and injured, but survives.
• Plans are made for Parvana and Father to search for the rest of the family in Mazar-e-Sharif.
• Mrs. Weera heads to Pakistan to continue her work with Afghan women.

Themes and Motifs

• Courage and Resilience: Parvana’s perseverance in the face of adversity and danger.
• Family and Sacrifice: The sacrifices each family member makes for the well-being of the others.
• Identity and Freedom: Parvana’s transformation into ‘Kaseem’ symbolizes the struggle for personal freedom.

Author's Note

• Deborah Ellis provides context about Afghanistan’s history and the impact of war.
• The book aims to raise awareness about the struggles faced by Afghan women and girls.

Glossary

• Definitions of terms such as burqa, chador, Taliban, etc.

About the Author

• Proceeds from the book are donated to support education for Afghan girls.

This summary captures the essence of "The Breadwinner," highlighting the challenges faced by Parvana and her family under Taliban rule, and the courage required to survive and maintain hope.