Chapter Two
by testsuphomeAdminIn the second chapter of “The Breadwinner,” we witness Parvana’s daily life under the oppressive regime of the Taliban. Mother and Nooria are busy cleaning while Father takes a moment to rest after kissing the younger children, Ali and Maryam. Parvana returns home with bundles and is quickly instructed by Nooria to fetch water, a task she resents because it requires multiple trips to the water tap. This responsibility weighs heavily on her, as she feels burdened by the chores that fall solely on her shoulders.
As Parvana struggles with her duties, she reflects on her family’s small living space, devoid of the comforts they once had. The only furnishings left are a tall wooden cupboard and two toshaks, a stark reminder of their loss during the war. Parvana longs for connection and friendship, but her family’s isolation leaves her feeling lonely and unacknowledged.
The household dynamics reveal tensions between Parvana and her sister Nooria. Nooria’s superior attitude and the way she flaunts her longer hair irritate Parvana. As they clean, an argument about selling clothes leads to Parvana’s resentment boiling over, particularly directed at Nooria and their mother, who seems to side with her daughter. Parvana is particularly attached to a beautiful shalwar kameez given to her by her aunt, highlighting the emotional weight of their possessions amidst poverty.
As the chapter progresses, the family’s mealtime serves as a brief respite, filled with laughter and stories from Father about their rich Afghan history. His storytelling emphasizes values of bravery and resilience, as he recounts a tale of a girl named Malali who inspired Afghan troops during a battle. However, this moment of peace is shattered when Taliban soldiers burst into their home.
The soldiers violently seize Father, accusing him of harboring foreign ideas due to his education in England. Parvana’s family responds in panic: her mother desperately tries to protect her husband, while the children are terrified. The scene escalates into chaos—Parvana attempts to defend her father but is overpowered. Ultimately, the soldiers drag Father away, and in their wake, the family is left shattered and in disbelief, highlighting the stark reality of life under Taliban rule. The chapter closes with a powerful image of the siblings, Parvana and Maryam, clinging to each other amidst the turmoil, underscoring the bonds of family and the loss of their sense of safety.
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