The Breadwinner: Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

The next day, Mrs. Weera, Mother, and Nooria tell Parvana their plan: they’ll turn Parvana into a boy. Posing as their male cousin from Jalalabad, Parvana will be able to work and shop in the market. Nooria nastily says that no one will ask about Parvana, but Parvana knows it’s true—none of her friends have seen her since the Taliban closed the schools, and her relatives are scattered. Mother’s voice catches as she says that Parvana will wear Hossain’s clothes. Parvana says this won’t work since she has long hair, but Nooria pulls out the sewing kit and snaps the scissors open and closed. Parvana shrieks that they can’t cut her hair. She says they can cut Nooria’s hair, since Nooria is the oldest and it’s Nooria’s responsibility to look after her, but Nooria looks at her adult body and points out that no one will believe she’s a boy.

Parvana snaps that she’ll be curvy soon, but Mother heads off the fight by saying they’ll deal with that later. For now, the fact remains that Parvana is the only one who can play the part. Mrs. Weera says that this has to be Parvana’s decision. They can force her to cut her hair, but Parvana has to be willing and able to play the part in the market. Realizing that Mrs. Weera is right, Parvana agrees. Knowing it’s her choice makes it easier. Nooria announces that she’ll cut Parvana’s hair, but Mother takes the scissors and Hossain’s clothes and leads Parvana into the washroom. Parvana watches in the mirror as Mother cuts her hair off at her neck. Mother holds the chunk up and suggests they keep it tied with a ribbon, but Parvana refuses. Her hair doesn’t seem important anymore.

Mother continues to cut. Parvana starts to feel like a different person as her forehead gets bigger and her ears stick out. Her hair curls, and the short cut makes her eyes look bigger. Parvana decides she has a nice face. When Mother announces that she’s done, she leaves Parvana alone to change. Parvana rubs her hands over her head and decides she likes it. She pulls on Hossain’s pale green shalwar kameez. Though the trousers are too long, if she rolls them up they fit okay. The shirt has pockets, which is a nice change from girls’ clothes. When Mother asks if Parvana is finished, Parvana steps out. Maryam looks confused until she realizes it’s Parvana. Mother says “Hossain” and looks ready to cry, so Nooria insults Parvana as a distraction.

Mother hands Parvana a white cap with beautiful embroidery, gives Parvana money and a scarf, and then sends her out. Parvana reaches for her chador, but Nooria reminds her she won’t need it. Suddenly terrified that someone will recognize her, Parvana pleads with Mother to not force her to go out. Nooria nastily accuses Parvana of being scared, but Parvana spits that it’s easy to call her scared when Nooria is safe inside. Parvana slams the door on her way out. At first, she’s nervous, but no one pays her any attention. She realizes that while she tried to act invisible as a girl in the market, now, she’s actually invisible—she’s just another boy in the market.

Parvana boldly purchases tea and rice from a grocer who’s grumpy, but not because Parvana is a girl. She then buys onions. When she returns home, Parvana proudly and excitedly announces that she was successful, but Maryam is the only one who seems excited. Mother is back on the toshak and Ali sits next to her, trying to get her attention. Nooria hands Parvana the bucket; she has laundry to catch up on. She explains that Mother is sad after seeing Hossain’s clothes and because Mrs. Weera went home. When Parvana finishes, Nooria suggests that Parvana stay in her boys’ clothes in case someone comes by. She says that Mother will have to get used to it. Parvana notices how old and tired Nooria looks and offers to help with supper, but Nooria nastily refuses. Mother tries to be cheerful at supper but has a hard time looking at Parvana.