What Are the Three Most Important Themes Raised by the Novel Parvana by Deborah Ellis?

What are the three most important themes raised by the novel Parvana by Deborah Ellis?

In the novel, Parvana, it has been suggested that there are a number of themes, however there are three themes which are more significant than the others. Having to masquerade as a boy to gain access to the outside world, is a sure sign of courage, one of the major issues of the novel. With this courage, come various forms of rebellion against the Taliban, an issue vital for an understanding of this text. The third most important theme concerns the challenge that occurs between desire and duties, as characters struggle with their responsibilities. Therefore, it can be stated that the three concepts mentioned above are the novel’s most pressing concerns.

Probably the most important theme in the entire novel is that of courage, since it because of her determination and boldness that Parvana is able to deal with the challenges she faces. It is hard to believe that the naïve eleven year old of the opening chapters becomes the courageous young adult that her family must rely on. This courage is first evident when Parvana decides to disguise herself as a boy and states,
“In the end, it was really her decision…‘I’ll do it.”’
This shows us that Parvana realizes that her family is in desperate need and is willing to put herself in direct jeopardy for her family.

Her disguise as a boy provides her with a measure of freedom and the means to make a living in the marketplace of Kabul, an act necessary for her family to survive. Parvana’s behaviour is courageous as she knows that if she is caught by the Taliban, she shall be punished, but knows that it is necessary because she is supporting her family. Parvana is forced to show courage for this particular task, because her father is taken to prison.

Parvana’s courage is also witnessed when she travels with her mother to the prison to retrieve her father. Walking the long distance to the jail is bad, yet two women outside without a male escort is worse, but Parvana does not mind. With fire in her heart, Parvana does whatever it takes to support her mother in the mission to free her innocent father. Furthermore, when Parvana screams to the guards,
“I’m here for my father!”
It suggests that Parvana is hoping for pity from the guards, to assist her in bringing her father home. Some would say that attempting such a task is not necessary, as it would be very unlikely that she would succeed in bringing her father home; however her behaviour is courageous as she knows that she is putting herself in danger, yet is still determined to do it. One might think that unnecessary behaviour is not courageous; however, many believe that courage is the act of encountering difficulties without fear.

Another important theme conveyed in the novel would be rebellion, as it is because of the Taliban’s restrictive rules and violence that many Afghans in the novel seek rebellion in order to survive. In many ways, Parvana and her family rebel against the Taliban. One way would be when Mrs Weera and Parvana’s mother decide to make a magazine about how desperate the people of Afghanistan have gotten in order to maintain their human dignity in the face of the extremist Taliban government. This is rebelling against the Taliban because all books have to be approved by Talibs. It is a form of rebellion, as women aren’t permitted to work, let alone make books, things that the Taliban burn if they don’t like the look of them.

Another form of rebellion that is displayed by Parvana would be when she takes the crying lady, Homa, to her house. Homa is without a burqa and without knowledge of the Taliban’s strict rules. When it is time for Homa’s secret escape, Parvana is very careful.
“I don’t want to draw any attention to us.”
This shows us that Parvana is courageous and wants to help Homa but is also afraid that they shall be caught, resulting in severe consequences.
This is rebelling against the Taliban, for it is the Taliban who prohibited girls from going outside without covering up all parts of their body; something they believe to show respect for the religious beliefs and traditions of Islam.

The last important theme raised in the novel is most definitely desire vs. duty, as characters experience a struggle between their desire for a new lifestyle and their sense of duty toward their family on the other. There are many characters, in the novel, that face problems with desire and duty. One character would be Parvana’s friend, Shauzia, who desires to escape from Afghanistan and wants to go away to France. She possesses this desire because she wants to seek a better life but also because her mother is always sick, her father is dead and her grandparents are forming an arranged marriage for her, just so they can get some money. However, Shauzia also feels a sense of duty towards her work and supporting her family, for she is her family’s only source of income. Kabul is torture for Shauzia, which she expresses:
“I just have to get out of here … I’ll die if I have to stay here.”
This shows us that Shauzia still has a sense of duty and she knows she is being selfish; however, will also do anything in her power to get out of Kabul.
The decision is very difficult for Shauzia as the prospect of leaving her family make her feel like a bad person. Nevertheless, Shauzia decides to go to France for her urge to move is so immense.

Another character that faces problems with desire and duty would be Parvana’s mother, Fatana, who, also like Shauzia, once desired to leave Afghanistan. She possesses this desire because she believes that she could do her work as a writer more efficiently in the foreign countries. However, Fatana also feels a sense of duty towards her family, as it is her responsibility to take care of them and also because she knows that she would be nothing if she left her family. Fatana wishes that they had left the country when they still could.
“If we had left Afghanistan when we had the chance, I could be doing my work!”
This shows us that Fatana is spiteful for not leaving, for if they had, she would be able to work as a writer, since the Taliban restrictions would no longer be intact in the foreign countries.

As a result of, it can be said that the novel’s most pressing concerns are the three concepts mentioned above. Courage, rebellion and desire vs. duty all cover the main ideas that are conveyed for the majority of the novel. Therefore it is without doubt that these three themes are the most important in the novel, Parvana.