How Does Parvana Show Emerging Maturity

In Deborah Ellis’ novel Parvana, Parvana and her family struggle to live under the harsh rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Parvana becomes an increasingly aware adolescent as she attempts to meet challenges. Parvana demonstrates emerging maturity when she dresses up as a boy, acknowledges the realities of life in Afghanistan and begins to willingly collect water without being asked.

Parvana shows emerging maturity when she dresses up as a boy. Under the harsh rule of the Taliban, females aren’t allowed outside without a male escort. When Parvana’s father is arrested by the Taliban, she has to dress like a boy to help her family survive.
Mother explains to Parvana, “As a boy you’ll be able to move in and out of the market, buy what we need, and no one will stop you.” At first Parvana refused, but after thinking about her family’s circumstances she agrees to dress as a boy. Parvana cuts her hair, dresses in boys clothing and takes on the identity of her cousin. Parvana Parvana shows emerging maturity when she decided to help her family. She can earn money, buy food and collect water as a boy. Parvana also demonstrates emerging maturity when she begins to acknowledge the realities of life in Afghanistan.
Parvana begins to notice other people’s suffering whilst working at the market and even the suffering of members of her own family. To Parvana; “The marketplace ceased to be interesting. She no longer laughed when a man got into a fight with a stubborn donkey. She was no longer interested in the snippets of conversation she heard from people strolling by. Everywhere, there were people who were hungry and sick. Women in burqas sat on the pavement and begged, their babies stretched across their laps. And there was no end to it. This wasn’t a summer vacation that would end and then life would get back to