Maybe then I would not have learned that they though being a girl was such a bad thing.”
-- Amal (chapter 5)

Importance: After witnessing Malik’s and Mehnaz’s devasted reactions to Lubna’s sex, Amal realizes that her culture favors boys above girls. The word “learned” conveys that Amal was previously unaware of this information. Amal’s use of the word “bad” indicates that females now connote negativity for her. This passage represents the beginning of Amal’s ability to recognize and understand sexist behavior within her community.

Why did this random chance have to dictate so much of my destiny?”
-- Amal (chapter 7)

Importance: Amal expresses her struggle to understand why her sex, which she cannot control, influences her life so drastically. This passage reveals Amal’s frustration with sexist behaviour. Amal cannot comprehend why she is denied the same opportunities that boys receive simply because she is a girl. Here, Amal questions and challenges social...