Patriarchy Motif
The primary motif that runs throughout the book is that of patriarchy. Afghanistan is a run by men, and women are viewed as second class citizens. Their lives can only occur with the permission of men. The motif of patriarchy is the central foundation upon which the book is written.
Female Oppression Motif
A patriarchal society is oppressive to women, because it denies women their rights to basic freedom and decision making. The women in the Afghan patriarchy are not able to make any choices for themselves; their entire lives are governed by what men allow them to do. They are given no opportunities and they have no freedom. They are oppressed because their basic human rights have been taken away, and they are not seen as people, but as possessions of the male family members around them.
Puberty Symbol
To the "underground girls", puberty is a symbol of a loss of freedom. They are able to dress and live as boys, and have a childhood, and some freedoms, only until the onset of puberty. When this occurs they are compelled to dress as young women, at which time the freedoms they have enjoyed during their childhood are taken away. That is why for them, puberty does not just symbolize adolescence, it symbolizes the loss of the freedoms and the life they have previously enjoyed.
Giving Birth to Sons Symbol
When a woman gives birth to a son, she is respected but when she gives birth to a daughter, she is not This is because male children are welcomed in a way that female children are not. When parents sire sons, they are given far more respect from their families and peers. This is why siring male children symbolizes respect and approval.
Dressing Daughters as Sons Symbol
When a woman dresses her daughter like a boy, it is seen as a symbol of her compliance with the patriarchal society in which she lives. Rather than fighting for any kind of equality for their daughters, these mothers symbolize to others a tacit acknowledgement of the patriarchal principles and rules of the country.
