How do the social and religious restrictions against women affect Leila in the early stages of the novel? Did you understand her anger about these restrictions?

How do the social and religious restrictions against women affect Leila in the early stages of the novel? Did you understand her anger about these restrictions?

Women are never viewed as equal to men in that culture. She had to cover herself and not speak out. Because she was alone when hit by the car, she was a disgrace and her father disowned her. I would be angry too if I was so insignificant and degraded by my culture.

I think as an American woman, I really have no idea how to relate to someone from a culture that thinks so little of females as a whole. I can't even imagine having to completely cover my head any time I went out in public, or being tortured if I acted "inappropriately" towards a male... it is just hard to fathom for me. So I can completely understand Leilas anger at her plight in life and also her attempt to commit suicide, which just left her in a worse place with her father.

Her anger is totally understandable. However, it became clear that the restrictions had nothing to do with religion and more to do with "judgmental men. Hypocritical men. Their honour-depends-on-women men" who were more interested in keeping women subjugated and in line than actually fulfilling their religious duties.

Her anger is totally understandable. Her feeling of being watched and judged by the "behavior police" added fear to the anger. Her anger increases as she grows older and realizes the hypocrisy of these laws.

It was interesting to me that her anger was turned inward so much. In the beginning of the novel, she was so miserable from her restricted life that she seemed to be full of hate all the time. An overriding negative, although realistic, view of her prospects just made her sound like a very miserable person. She often lashed out at her brother, for instance, and seemed completely mean.

It is a repressive and male dominated environment. She is bright, inquisitive, and intelligent. It seems like a formula for a good deal of frustration and anger.

I completely understand Leila's anger. And contrast that with how boys andd young men are allowed to be. It's as if females are held responsible for men.

I can only attempt to understand the incredible frustration of a bright young woman growing up in such a misogynistic society. Anger seems the only available response. Sad.

How confusing for a child to be told they have to cover their body in a certain way because of their gender while your sibling does not, that as a young woman your not worthy of a higher education or a career! The car accident and her fathers reaction enraged me! How could a father put the importation of social and religious constraints over the importance of your child’s life and well being! Why would you disown a troubled child? I understand the father was broken as well but both the parents failed their children by not putting them first to cherish and protect them. It befuddles my mind.

The devaluing of women by an entire culture has existed in every culture for a time. I guess I am more interested in how did it change in America and many European countries. Only after WWI did the USA begin to change. Women fought for the right to vote and work outside the home. It was not until the mid 70s that women began to be fairly represented in post graduate education such as medical school and law school. How could Leila fight a time honored suppression of women, both by religion and government? Leila’s anger is what can fuel needed change.

Those are great points paulagb. Things are different in the US and many European countries for women, not perfect, but better than many parts of the world.

I think one big equalizer is education, so many girls and women around the world are not welcomed or allowed to get a full education. I wondered if the rules were tougher for Leila to get into college.