How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Women were not allowed to go into the shops. Men were supposed to do all the shopping, but if women did it, they had to stand outside and call in for what they needed. Parvana had seen shopkeepers beaten for serving women inside their shops. (5.2)
By making it extremely difficult for women to buy food—a.k.a. a basic human need—the Taliban keeps them dependent on men… unless, of course, they dress their young daughters up as boys. Ha.
Quote #5
Parvana wasn't sure if she would be considered a woman. On the one hand, if she behaved like one and stood outside the shop and called in her order, she could get in trouble for not wearing a burqa. On the other hand, if she went into a shop, she could get in trouble for not acting like a woman! (5.3)
Parvana's a girl, but not yet a woman… and though she lives in Kabul, not even she is certain what this means when it comes to the Taliban's laws. These dudes and their laws are kind of hard to keep up with.
Quote #6
There were going to turn her into a boy.
"As boy, you'll be able to buy what we need, and no one will stop you," Mother said.
"It's a perfect solution," Mrs. Weera said. (6.1-6.3)
As the saying goes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So since only boys are allowed to walk around Kabul freely, Parvana will become Kaseem in order to make money and buy food for her family.