Family

Saeed employs Amal’s family dynamic and those of other families that appear throughout her novel to contrast Pakistani and North American families. While Mehnaz recovers from Lubna’s birth, Malik demands that Amal stay home from school to care for their home and her younger siblings. Though Amal wishes to return to school, she, her friends, and Miss Sadia all accept Malik’s decision. In North America, both preventing children from attending school and demanding that children perform intense physical labour are illegal. Amal’s responsibilities as the eldest child in her family drastically exceed those of North American children. Amal indicates the significance of her position as the eldest child when, during her visit home for Shabnum’s wedding, Amal sadly observes that Seema replaced her as the eldest child. Though Amal’s position consists of countless responsibilities, she cherishes her title and willingly...