Voices Journal For I Am Malala

Voices Journal

The book I have selected is, I Am Malala, an autobiography written by Malala Yousafzai along with Christina Lamb. The book details Malala’s life under the Taliban’s mischiefs, and her views on advocating education for girls, a right taken away by the Taliban throughout Pakistan. As the Taliban begin bombing schools attended by girls, Malala presented speeches to stop the Taliban. Shot in the head by a gunman, Malala was unstable, however, she received an outpouring of support, giving her strength in changing Pakistan’s schooling for the better. I was astonished by Malala’s sacrifice though the media and I was in desire to pick up her book to read how she rose to achieving her dreams. The autobiography well showcases Malala’s

experiences of overcoming the Taliban, giving inspiration towards all readers.

The autobiography is told in first person narrative voice.

As Yousafzai resides in England recovering from her traumatic experience, she recalls missing her homeland as she says, “Now, every morning when I open my eyes, I long to see my old room full of my things, my clothes all over the floor, and my school prizes on the shelves. Instead I am in a country which is five hours behind my beloved homeland Pakistan and my home in the Swat Valley” (Yousafzai 3). Reading from first person connects me to the book, as I too am away from my birthplace. A technique the author uses is, flash-forward, as the narrator jumps forward in time, describing the shooting incident, “When I almost died it [is] just after midday. One year ago I left my home for school and never returned. I was shot by a Taliban bullet and was flown out of Pakistan unconscious” (Yousafzai 3). Malala jumps ahead in revealing significant parts of the story in the opening of the prologue, bringing curiosity as to what happened during the shooting. One flashback used is when Malala gains a memory of the beautiful aspects in her homeland, as she says, “When we [enter] the garden and I [see] all the green plants and trees, it [is] a powerful reminder of home” (Yousafzai 296). Malala thinking back to her homeland tells the reader Pakistan is always on her mind. The techniques help the reader to learn Malala’s emotions through her encounters with the Taliban and being away from her native

country.

The social issue dealt with throughout I Am Malala, is the country’s refusal to accept both genders equally, stripping away female’s rights in Pakistan. The issue is revealed from Pashtuns cultural beliefs as told by Yousafzai. Malala explains the Pashtun culture when there is an arrival of a newborn as she says, “I am a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children” (Yousafzai 13). The chosen narrative effectively describes the social issue as she gives the reader an understanding of the contrast between both gender’s rights. Hearing this from Malala’s voice adds more depth, and a tone of desolation, as she has experienced the mistreatment, giving an insight of her emotional pain of not getting a chance to learn. In hence, the narrative voice effectively places me directly into the shoes of the writer.

In conclusion, the inspirational autobiography, I Am Malala, written by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb have published a remarkable book. Upon choosing first person narrative voice, flash -forward, and flashbacks to hook the reader and get the message out in preventing discrimination towards females, makes I Am Malala a number one national bestseller. Drawing from a relevant story, Meena from India is no longer attending school, as her parents spotted older boys sexually harassing her, worrying the family’s reputation was destroyed. This helps to show females are treated as the inferior gender as Meena has done no harm. More importantly, the book has taught me how education is essential to educate society for positive changes. The book helps give girls a path to an education, strength, and determination. I Am Malala is a new start in bringing harmony to the world.