Gender Role Distributions in Hashimi’s When the Moon is Low

Gender Role Distributions in Hashimi’s When the Moon is Low

            It is a unique literary experience when the audience is granted both male and female perspectives within one work. This is a function Hashimi performs well through her inclusion of the characters Fereiba and her teenage son Saleem.

            Saleem evolves throughout the novel. We find that he is transitioning from a boy to a man in an expedited manner due to their circumstances. As he navigates the international waters towards some semblance of stability, he is haunted by memories of his father; Mahmood. He does not have the ability to consult directly with him, rather, he can only imagine what Mahmood would do if he was in his shoes. He must assume the patriarchal role, far sooner than he had imagined. He wrestles with the moral and ethical issues surrounding stealing to feed his family. He does what is necessary, including selling his mother’s jewelry and must live with the consequences when he is caught by the authorities. In these ways he is both a heroic archetype and a victim. He is forced to prematurely grow up and make adult decisions he is not really equipped for. He suffers when he does not receive and act upon the wisdom his mother attempts to transfer to him.

            Fereiba represents a bridge between the pre and post-Taliban society. We are given a window into the intolerance and tradition that subordinates women. When she escapes the harsh regime, she is still reliant on the kindness of others for survival. So an identity as an independent individual is elusive as she works her way towards the freedom the West represents. She is at times, both matriarch and pseudo-patriarch out of necessity. Since the younger children require more care, she must give their condition precedence. They share responsibilities as needed often deferring tasks upon the other according to immediate needs. This is thrown into upheaval when Saleem is taken from her.

            Ultimately, the confluence of Islamic culture and the daily necessities concerning survival in exile for Fereiba and Saleem create unique opportunities for Hashimi to form her commentary. There is the fluidity of role distribution that ebbs and flows at any given moment dictated by immediate need. Each character proves themselves as strong, selfless individuals who have been made extremely vulnerable by circumstance.