Themes
What is one major theme explored throughout Parvana?
Courage, freedom, family, oppression, or survival.
Who is the main character of Parvana?
Parvana.
What structure do we use for introduction?
CFACTS
In which country is Parvana mainly set?
Afghanistan.
What does Parvana's disguise as a boy allow her to do?
Leave the house, work, earn money and move around more freely.
How does the theme of courage appear in Parvana's actions?
She risks her safety to help support her family and continues despite the dangers around her.
Why does Parvana begin dressing as a boy?
Her family needs her to leave the house and earn money, which she cannot safely do as a girl under Taliban rule.
What are the four main parts of a text response paragraph?
Topic Sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link
What group controls Afghanistan during the events of the novel?
The Taliban.
Why is the market important in the novel?
It becomes a place where Parvana can work, earn money and experience a degree of independence.
How does the novel show the importance of family during difficult times?
Parvana's family supports one another emotionally and depends on each other to survive.
What is one important characteristic of Parvana?
She is courageous, determined, resourceful, caring or resilient.
What is a contention?
A blanket statement of the prompt, outlining your Point of View.
Give two ways the Taliban's rules affect Parvana's family.
Women have restricted freedom, Parvana cannot attend school, her mother cannot work freely, women need male relatives to accompany them, etc.
Why is Parvana's ability to read and write important?
It allows her to earn money and shows the importance of education and literacy.
What is the name of Parvana's older brother who is killed?
Hossain.
How does Parvana change from the beginning to the end of the novel?
She becomes more independent, confident and courageous as she faces increasingly difficult challenges.
In what year was the novel published?
2000
What type of building does Parvana's family live in?
An apartment
How does Parvana's experience of working affect her?
It gives her greater independence and confidence while also exposing her to the dangers and difficulties faced by ordinary people.
What is the name of the woman who becomes Parvana's friend and works with her?
Shauzia.
What is the name of the character who was a university teacher before the Taliban came to power and later becomes Parvana's mother?
Fatana
What should a text response use to support an argument: personal opinion, evidence from the text, major themes, description of the setting?
Evidence from the text.
Under Taliban rule, what must women generally wear when they leave the house?
The burqa.
Choose one important event from the novel and explain how it changes Parvana or helps develop a major theme.
Answers will vary, but students should identify an event, explain its effect on Parvana, and connect it to a theme.