Posted on May 2, 2016
Shabanu Character Post- Shabanu
It’s not fair, how women get treated differently. We don’t get to chose anything, it is just the father or husband who rules everything. I love Dadi, but I wish Mama, Auntie, Phulan and I could have our rights too. I want to be like Sharma- she chose to leave her husband without anyone telling her she could and she is the most powerful woman I’ve ever met. “Anyone who might want to harm Sharma should think twice; she is better able to take care of herself than most men are.” I am not sure if I want to marry or not yet. If I was to marry, I am very lucky because Murad and Hamir are wealthy. They own land and have a decent amount of money. It would be hard to turn down an opportunity like this, even if I had the power to refuse. But Hamir and Murad could be dead right now, fighting for Phulan’s safety. But most importantly I don’t want to follow Dadi’s rules, I want to follow mine. “I am angry to think of Dadi or anyone else telling me what to do . I want to tell her I spend more time with the camels than Dadi, and sometimes when he asks me to do a thing, I know something else is better.” Page 28
Global Studies Blog
Sister, We are just poor women and we should follow what dadi says. He will keep us safe, he has for years.You are a brave girl and if this is what you feel talk to me. I know that women in our family get less rights but that is just how it is. Think of it the glass half full,not half empty- Your sister, Phulan
Thank you sister, I would want to think of it as a glass full, rather as a glass half full. You may not know but, Sharma has been telling me many things about surviving as a woman in the Muslim world. Sharma is a wise and smart woman, if you feel the same, I suggest you should talk to Sharma as well.