My Forbidden Face Analysis

Words: 751
Pages: 4

Published in 2002, My Forbidden Face, written by Latifa is a novel told from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl living in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The novel discusses the experience of living in a world where fear and oppression reign. During this time, Latifa becomes a prisoner in her own home, unable to leave without a Mahram. She is also faced with having no choice but to wear a chadri. Throughout the novel Latifa explores a number of themes including the concept of equality, which is looked at particularly in relation to gender. Latifa’s experiences of gender inequality are shared with women throughout Afghanistan, however similar experiences are faced by women in modern Australian society.

One of the most significant issues explored concerning equality within My Forbidden Face is a woman’s freedom of choice. This is looked at predominantly through the Taliban’s decree of forcing women to wear the burqa. In chapter one Latifa explains her usual attire of jogging trousers, a polo neck or pullover and trainers, clothing that under Taliban rule was forbidden. Chapter two, aptly titled ‘Canary in a Cage’, shows the discomfort, anger and humiliation experienced by Latifa as she wears the burqa. Described by Latifa as a moving prison, the burqa is often subjected to heated debate in modern Australian society. Some groups
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The storyline addresses a number of key themes, one of which that was highlighted throughout the text was the concept of equality. Latifa’s life is dramatically changed by Taliban decrees that enforced inequality within society and made women the “designated victims of a systematic purification.” These changes included forcing women to wear a burqa, taking away a child’s right to an education as well as not allowing women doctors to work. While some of these issues have been addressed by modern Australian society, some still remain an evident