The Breadwinner

How does Parvana mature through the course of The Breadwinner? Are there times when her new maturity surprises her?

How do the older women in the novel, such as Mrs. Weera and Parvana’s mother, help readers gain a broader understanding of the ways that women’s lives were different before and during the Taliban regime?

Compare the Kabul of Parvana’s father’s memory to the state of the city when the story is set (147). What does his life reveal about the ways the city and life in Afghanistan have changed?

Discuss the theme of mobility within the novel. Consider elements such as the market for artificial legs, land mines, and clothing in addition to the regime’s rules.

How does Ellis use this story to suggest the need for human connection in times of hardship?

Do you believe that Shauzia was entitled to leave her mother and flee Afghanistan? Why or why not? Does fleeing seem like a realistic option?

How do Parvana’s parents fail to conform to the image of the ideal Afghan in the view of the Taliban?

Consider the events that take place at the market. How do the various encounters Parvana has there relate to the novel’s themes?