Breaking the Gender Stereotype in Deborah Ellis's The Breadwinner

Abstract

This paper explores the nature and performance of the portrayal of female masculinity in an award- winning young adult novel "The Breadwinner" by Deborah Ellis featuring the female protagonists Parvana and Shauzia. The book is set in the tumultuous backdrop of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The book offers a compelling narrative that challenges traditional gender roles and norms, providing a lens through which to examine the multifaceted nature of masculinity. The theory of masculinity was always associated with men until the emergence of female masculinity which changed the traditional concept of masculinity. Through character analysis of female characters, this paper delves into, how the male figures in the story navigate their roles and identities amidst a repressive society. It investigates the impact of masculinity on female characters, highlighting the book's subtle yet powerful message about the fluidity of gender roles and the potential for reimagining masculinity in the face of adversity. Through the qualitative research method and content analysis, this paper aims to prove that women also have masculinity traits with the theory proposed on female masculinity by Judith Halberstam and masculinity traits explained by Hofstede. By analyzing the book within its socio-cultural context, this paper sheds light on the broader implications of "The Breadwinner" for contemporary discussions on gender and the redefinition of masculinity in diverse and challenging circumstances. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative power of literature in challenging and reshaping societal perceptions of masculinity and proves that masculinity can be performed with confidence, hidden emotions, aggressions, power, domination and the absence of male body form.