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The Global Insight

Why does Parvanas father call her malali

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on April 21, 2026

Why did father call Parvana “Malali” when the Taliban soldiers came? Father called Parvana “Malali” because Malali was a heroine in Afghanistan who helped to lead an army into battle. He wanted her to be strong, like Malali, while he was gone.

What does Parvana's Father call her?

29). Her father has nicknamed Parvana “Malali,” and Parvana often remembers her father’s name for her when she is feeling scared or worried. With the inspiration of the story of the real-life Malali, Parvana finds courage to brave the streets of Kabul to work for her family.

How does the story of malali relate to parvana?

Parvana as Malali Parvana’s father tells her of the story of Malali, a girl who inspires the Afghans to rally in war and beat the British; Father tells Parvana she has that same courage. … And in this way, Malali becomes like a second alter ego to Parvana.

What is a malali?

Malali was a 19th-century young woman who inspired Afghan troops and led them to victory during the war with the British, and Father tells Malali’s story often to inspire his daughters to be brave and take on challenges.

Why does Parvana's dad say it's important to keep their distance from their neighbors?

Why doesn’t the family talk to the neighbors or invite friends over? Father said it wasn’t safe to talk to others because anyone could be a spy for the Taliban. Parvana feels that is safe but too lonely for her. … Parvana would not be going anywhere she could wear good clothes, so there was no need for the clothing.

What happens to the photo of Parvana's father?

Parvana’s not thrilled about this plan, since photographs are illegal and she really doesn’t want to meet anymore Taliban soldiers. … The soldiers have had enough from Mother and Parvana, so they tear Father’s photograph and start hitting Mother with a stick; shortly after, they beat Parvana as well.

How did Parvanas father lose his leg?

Father tells the Taliban that Parvana’s the only one that can help him walk since he lost part of his leg when the school he used to teach in was bombed. … It’s best to be “invisible” (1.8) because the Taliban like to beat and whip women.

How old is nooria?

Nooria is Parvana’s 17-year-old sister. Nooria and Parvana’s relationship is strained because of their age difference and because Nooria seems, to Parvana, to be a fully-fledged adult—and a beautiful one at that. The girls often insult each other’s intelligence or appearance.

What was Parvana's role in the family?

The title of the book refers to the role of the protagonist, 11-year-old Parvana, who is forced by circumstances to be the breadwinner for her family in a war-torn Taliban-era in Afghanistan.

Who is Parvana's friend?

Friendship is an important source of support too—when Parvana is traversing Kabul disguised as the boy Kaseem, it’s her rediscovered friendship with an old school friend, Shauzia, that keeps her going and helps her feel safe in the world.

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How does Parvana's Father currently make a living for the family?

Because he sold his prosthesis, he relies on a walking stick to travel short distances and Parvana to help him travel longer distances. Though the novel never explains what Father did before Kabul fell to the Taliban, he now earns money writing and reading letters for the many illiterate people in the market.

What was Parvana's Mother's job before the Taliban?

She used to be a writer for a radio station, but then the Taliban made her quit her job; and though Father wonders why she doesn’t continue to write, she figures the Taliban won’t publish her work so why bother.

How does Mrs Weera help Parvana's family?

Weera instantly assesses the situation and knows the family needs help. After she yells at Parvana for mangling the bread (she’s pretty funny), she goes to the apartment and whips everyone—especially Mother who has fallen into a depression—into shape.

What subject did Parvana's father teach?

As we discussed in Chapter 1, Parvana’s father uses stories to teach his family about Afghanistan’s history.

What did Parvana's father end up selling because the offer was too good?

What did Parvana’s father end up selling because the offer was too good? Parvana’s father sold his wooden leg because there was a good offer.

Why did mother and nooria clean?

Nooria and Mother are cleaning, which they do a lot since there isn’t much else for them to fill their time with. They need Parvana to fetch some water because the tank is empty, which is pretty bad news as far as Parvana is concerned since it means six trips with the water bucket to the water tap.

Why did the Taliban order all windows painted with black paint?

Where there was once clear glass in their windows to let light in, there is black paint smeared on the glass, ordered by the Taliban to prevent women from being seen by others and prevent them from looking out into the world.

What is Shauzia's job?

Shauzia is an old school acquaintance of Parvana’s. She quickly becomes a close friend when Parvana discovers that Shauzia is working as a tea boy in the market, disguised as a boy named Shafiq.

Why was Parvana's family stuck inside a room?

The Taliban order all girls and women to stay in their homes, and girls can’t even attend school. Mother was fired from her job as a writer for a radio station. The family has been stuck in a one-room apartment for over a year now. Because Parvana is a small girl, though, she can get away with being outside.

How does the breadwinner end?

Shauzia runs away and promises that she will meet Parvana in Paris in twenty years. Mrs. Weera is going, too, with Homa, to help others who have been forced to flee the Taliban. The novel ends with Parvana and her father in the back of a truck, heading toward Pakistan.

What was Parvana's initial reaction to the Taliban coming to Afghanistan Why?

What was Parvana’s initial reaction to teh Taliban coming to Afghanistan? She was terrified.

What was Parvana's mother's job?

Parvana’s mother used to write for a local Kabul radio station, but since the Taliban took over, she hasn’t been able to work. Even though Father encourages her to work secretly and to get out and observe what’s going on in the city, Mother refuses on the grounds that she doesn’t want to have to go out with an escort.

What is Parvana's older brother's name?

Hossain is Parvana’s deceased older brother who died at age 14 when he stepped on a land mine. Parvana was still a toddler at the time, so she has no memory of him. He and Nooria were close, though, and Nooria shares that Hossain adored baby Parvana.

How old is Maryam in the breadwinner?

Parvana’s little brother and sister haven’t been out of the house in eighteen months, and since Ali is only two years old and Maryam is only five, this means they’ve had pretty bleak childhoods.

Where is nooria and mother?

Parvana notices that Nooria has changed—she isn’t as ornery. When Mother arranges for Nooria to marry a boy from Pakistan, Nooria is pumped. Finally she can dump the burqa, finish school, and attend college, all to realize her ultimate dream of someday becoming a teacher.

Does nooria want to get married?

By Deborah Ellis. Parvana doesn’t understand why Nooria wants to marry someone she’s never met. … Parvana asks her sister if she is positively sure she wants to go through with this arranged marriage, and Nooria has no doubts. There is no life for her in Kabul, but in Mazar she will be free from burqas and babysitting.

Who is Parvanas little brother?

Ali is Parvana’s toddler brother. The Taliban took over when he was only a few months old, so he’s never been outside. Mrs.

What is the fathers name in the breadwinner?

Parvana is an 11-year-old girl who lives in Kabul under the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001). Her father, Nurullah, is a former school teacher who became a hawker after losing his left leg in the Soviet–Afghan War.

What is father's role in the breadwinner?

According to a major study, fathers should be the breadwinners while mothers bring up the children. It found that despite the flood of mothers into work, most families still hold on to the stereotype that a father’s job is to earn the money and protect the family.

Is breadwinner a true story?

After first publishing the non-fiction book Women of the Afghan War, further inspiration struck and Ellis created the fictional story of an undaunted girl she named Parvana. “She’s a girl who is not at all interested in being heroic or strong or brave or anything,” Ellis said.

What is the summary of Parvana's Journey?

Sequel to The Breadwinner, Parvana’s Journey by Deborah Ellis follows the eponymous 12-year-old girl who, disguised as a boy, sets off from Kabul in search of her missing mother and siblings in Taliban-era Afghanistan. When war breaks out, she bands together with other displaced children.