The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

Women in Rahima’s society are pressured to wear veils and burqas when in public. What role does clothing play for the protagonists of the novel? 

Many characters throughout the novel express superstitious views of the world. What role does superstition play in the novel? Which characters are the most superstitious? What does this say about the contrast between village and cosmopolitan life?

Shekiba’s name means “gift,” and in many ways, her story is a present handed down to Rahima—her only family legacy. How does Shekiba’s story affect Rahima’s life? What lessons does Rahima learn from Shekiba?