Crossing Boundaries: Gender, Identity, and Resistance in Nadia Hashimi’s The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

Abstract

Nadia Hashimi’s The Pearl That Broke Its Shell is a deeply resonant narrative that interlaces the lives of two Afghan women Rahima and her great-great-grandmother Shekiba across generations, highlighting the oppressive gender norms embedded in Afghan society. Set against the backdrop of war, political turmoil, and deeply entrenched patriarchal structures, the novel explores themes of identity, resilience, and resistance. Central to the narrative is the cultural practice of bacha posh, wherein girls are temporarily raised as boys to circumvent gender-based societal restrictions. This tradition not only exposes the severe limitations placed on women but also reveals the constructed and per formative aspects of gender roles.

Through the parallel journeys of its protagonists, the novel illustrates how Afghan women have historically found subtle and overt ways to navigate and challenge oppressive structures. By applying feminist theoretical frameworks including Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of “the Other,” Judith Butler’s gender performativity, and Chandra Talpade Mohanty’s critique of Western feminist generalizations the novel can be understood as a complex critique of both internal cultural patriarchy and the oversimplified narratives imposed by external observers.

This paper examines how The Pearl That Broke Its Shell contributes to feminist literature by offering a nuanced portrayal of Afghan women’s lived experiences, emphasizing agency, trauma, and the importance of intergenerational storytelling. Ultimately, the novel does not merely recount suffering but foregrounds the strength and autonomy of women who, despite systemic repression, continually assert their right to self-definition and empowerment.