Literary devices to include in essays
"It seemed to us that the Taliban had arrived in the night just like vampires." (Chapter 9, pg. 60) (Simile)
Malala and Moniba both read Twilight, a famous book series by Stephenie Meyer about vampires. They compare the approaching Taliban to vampires, slinking through the night and arriving unexpectedly. This is an important simile because it emphasizes the degree to which the people of Swat were caught off-guard when the Taliban began to occupy their formerly peaceful valley.
"Malala is free as a bird." (Chapter 1, pg. 19) (Simile)
This simile recurs throughout the memoir as Malala recalls the words her father has always said to her. From the moment she was born, Malala's father was determined to make sure that his daughter received the same opportunities that any child would, regardless of her gender. She was "free as a bird," which is a particularly significant comparison because he himself was called "Ziauddin the falcon" by his own father.
"My father spoke like a lion, but I could see in his heart he was worried and scared." (Chapter 19, pg. 116) (Simile)
As new Talibanization continues, with the Taliban specifically coming after those who dare to speak out against them, Malala and her father both become more nervous about what is going on. Part of Malala's father's character is to constantly put on a front of courage to reassure his family—to speak “like a lion," as Malala puts it. But Malala understands what is at stake, and knows her father well enough to see his vulnerabilities.
"He knows people say it's his fault that I was shot, that he pushed me to speak up like a tennis dad trying to create a champion, as if I don't have my own mind." (Epilogue, pg. 152) (Simile)
Although international response is overwhelmingly in support of Malala after her shooting, many people in Pakistan had a different response. As explained in this quote, people believed that Malala's father was wrong to encourage her to be an activist, that he cared more about "[creating] a champion" than preserving his daughter's life. Malala firmly maintains, however, that everything she said was of her own accord.
"For us girls that doorway was like a magical entrance to our own special world." (Prologue, pg. 8) (Simile)
In this simile, Malala speaks about the entrance to the Kushal School, and how magical it felt growing up and spending every day going through these doors. For Malala, school was a sanctuary, a place where she and her friends could be themselves and focus solely on receiving an education. Even during their occupation of Swat, the Taliban could not take away their indescribable love for attending school.
Malala vs. her father (Dramatic Irony)
Malala's family constantly fears that Ziauddin, Malala's father, will be the one targeted by the Taliban because of they way he speaks out against them. No one thinks for a second that even the Taliban is cruel enough to target Malala. It is thus ironic it is Malala whom they try to kill.
Malala's Father's Stutter (Situational Irony)
Despite the stutter that has impaired his speech throughout his life, Malala's father ironically devotes his life to public speaking, voicing his thoughts and rallying people to his side to stand against the Taliban. It is ironic that a man who loves poetry, words, and speaking would be cursed with such an impediment.
The Taliban and Islam (Situational Irony)
Malala and many other Muslims believe that Islam is a peaceful religion, one that respects and values women and encourages tolerance and acceptance. It is ironic, then, that the Taliban claims to be fighting in the name of Islam, and yet goes against all of these accepted Islamic values
I Am Malala Imagery
"That morning we arrived in the narrow mud lane off Haji Baba Road in our usual procession of brightly painted rickshaws, sputtering diesel fumes, each one crammed with five or six girls. Since the time of the Taliban our school has had no sign and the ornamented brass door in a while wall across from the woodcutter's yard gives no hint of what lies beyond." (Prologue, pg. 9)
In the memoir's prologue, Malala describes her beloved Kushal School in great detail, painting a picture for readers of what it was like to arrive there every morning, excited for the day ahead. This imagery makes it clear that the day she was shot was first a day just like any other—things only changed later, on her way home from school.
"The highest mountain of all is the pyramid-shaped Mount Elum. To us it's a sacred mountain and so high that it always wears a necklace of fleecy clouds. Even in summer it's frosted with snow." (Chapter 1, pg. 16)
The admiring way that Malala talks about her home, Swat Valley, makes it clear just how much this place means to her. The first time she describes it in Chapter 1 is important, because it is the very first picture most readers are getting of Swat Valley; most have likely not heard of this place before.
"It was a girl about my age. Her hair was muted and her skin was covered with sores." (Chapter 6, pg. 45)
Malala sees the children working at the trash heap and takes in every detail of their appearance, feeling immediate sympathy. She herself has been privileged to have a good home and financially stable family, and, in particular, the chance to attend school. Malala is driven to stand up for universal education because she believes children like this girl should be given the opportunity to go to school and learn in order to better their own prospects.
"My left eye bulged, half my hair was gone and my mouth tilted to one side as if it had been pulled down so when I tried to smile it looked more like a grimace." (Chapter 24, pg. 145)
Malala's appearance drastically changes after she is shot, and she knows that seeing her like this is a big shock for her family, who were attached to her bright, positive smile. Malala wants to make it clear, though, that while she may look different, she is still the same Malala, and the Taliban have not managed to take away her spirit.
Malala's Schoolbooks (Symbol)
When Malala and her family leave Swat and become IDPs, Malala repeatedly wonders whether or not her schoolbooks will be safe and when she will be able to study them. For Malala, her schoolbooks represent the education she has received and the education she hopes to receive in the future. They are a source of hope that she will be able to accomplish her goal of promoting schooling for all girls, not only those as lucky as she is.
The Almonds (Symbol)
After Malala gets in trouble for stealing a neighbor girl's toys, she relays a story about a time when she was younger and ate some almonds in the bazaar that her mother could not pay for. When her father found out, he went and bought all of the almonds. She says they became a reminder of guilt, but they are also a reminder to remain honest. The memory of these almonds is one of the things that keep Malala believing that honesty is the best policy.
The Burqa (Symbol)
The burqa, which is a full-body garment covering even the face, is a symbol of the Taliban's oppression of women. Though Muslim women cover their heads for many reasons, a face covering obscures the identity of a woman, which is part of what the Taliban seeks to do. Over the course of Taliban occupation of Pakistan, women in burqas become a prominent symbol of the Taliban.
The School Bus (Symbol)
The school bus on which Malala and two other girls were shot becomes a symbol of the tragedy later on. Malala includes a picture of the bus among the photos of her life that she adds in at the end of the memoir; the picture shows the bloodstains that still remain. This bus was meant to be a safe space, but, as with many other safe spaces in Swat, the Taliban corrupted it.
The Buddhas (Symbol)
Swat Valley's ancient Buddha statues, left from when Buddhism moved through the valley, are prominent symbols of Swat's rich history and, most importantly, the region's tolerance of faiths other than Islam. When the Taliban destroy these Buddha statues, they send the message that they will not tolerate any beliefs other than Islam, and that they are eager to erase the past.
Pens and books
In the second section of the book, pens and books were a common symbol for education. Burqas and face coverings were another symbol that was commonly brought up in the book.
Sub-plot (history and politics)
Malala has woven the subplot of her family’s history and culture as well as the storyline of religious extremism and domestic terrorism into her story.
Humour and satire (Irony)
Evidence of humour, but mostly subtle irony. This enables the subject matter to be presented with some contrast to eliminate the overly negative nature of the subject matter.
Analogy/metaphor
Simile she used was in chapternine when she said “It seemed to us that the Taliban had arrived in the night just like vampires.” This links to the references to ‘Twilight’ and the persecution of her family, like the Cullen family faced because they were different to the majority, hunted by their own kind and marginalised by others.
Prologue outlines the climax and key moment of conflict (turning point) in narrative structure
In the prologue, Malala describes in detail the moment she was shot. This captures the reader's attention, making want to learn her story. Previewing the climax is a technique to engage and position the reader.
Climax
The climax of the story is when Malala is shot when she is on a school bus. From the climax, Malala describes her experience recovering and how she mentally and emotionally kept living her life.
Not only a memoir but a documentation of history and culture
Not only does the reader get a glimpse into a world outside their own, but also very real accounts of the discrimination occurring in places such as Pakistan.
Episodic events that have shaped and defined the author and her family.
Fascinating and terrifying stories told.
Real images
Images within the book, enable the reader to understand the true nature of the memoir and that these events were experienced by real people.
Parallel memoirs
MalalaYousafzai was able to so eloquently profess not only her life story but the story of her father as well. She showed great knowledge of the struggles her father went through for education, and fair treatment for women. Her amazing storytelling abilities were evident by the way she seamlessly intertwined her and her father's stories, and how she was able to so easily drive her point of equality home.
Hybrid use of language – British style English and authentic Urdu
Malala’s story has been shaped by an English ghost writer to enable her to reach a wider audience but she has also infused her own language throughout to enable the reader to experience the rich culture of her society.
Multiple discourses (Conversations) presented
There are other discourses as politics, terrorism, poverty, inequality, child labour, climate change, feminism, ethnicity interwoven throughout this memoir, it is not just one person’s account. Through explicit and implicit voices some historical events are represented and the different perspective are included.
Historical intertextuality
The narrator takes plenty of time to include the historical context of her story, reflecting on the origins of Pakistan, the implications of 9/11 and what that meant for war in neighboring Pakistan, and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden in her home country.
Chronological narrative and glossary of Pashto language
The text is organized chronologically and the inclusion of a glossary of Pashto language terms and a timeline of important events in Pakistan and Swat collects all important information for the reader. Malala laces terms from her Pashto language throughout the text which ups the complexity for readers.
Juxtaposition of cultures and intertextuality
The narrator’s purpose is clear—to argue her reasons for advocating for girls’ education and for refusing to be silenced even as she received threats on her life. As far as intertextuality, she refers often to the Koran, yet also references the Twilight books, which is an interesting juxtaposition of cultures.
Other text types (Photos, notebook pages, documentary, speeches, diary etc)
Includes scans of the notebook she wrote in and lumps many of her questions together (275-83), references to documentaries, photos, speeches etc.
Different perspectives or interpretations
While it could be objected that Malala’s involvement in the documentary is somehow artificial—she’s performing for the camera instead of being herself—Malala quickly refutes this argument. The tears that she sheds while walking past her school are real, not play-acted, as she can’t bear the thought of not being able to learn for the rest of her life. The fact that her first international fame comes from an American, however, contributes to much of the criticism Malala faces now. Many in Pakistan claim that she is a “puppet” of the West, and argue that America uses her now-famous suffering as a justification for its continued violence and imperialism.
Symbolism
Playground is in ruins, her childhood and idealistic way of looking at the world as a child is gone. (Link to impact on the protagonist).
Foreshadowing
We’ve been given signs throughout the book that the Taliban hurt those who disagree with them, and try to intimidate their enemies into silence. Now that Malala has become one of the most prominent opponents of the Taliban in the entire country (and now that she’s legally an adult) she’s an obvious target for the Taliban—so obvious, indeed, that we wonder why Malala didn’t realize this sooner.
Narrated by using second hand accounts
In this part of I Am Malala, Malala is describing events that she did not, properly speaking, witness. She has reconstructed these events with the help of her family members, her classmates and the various other witnesses to her shooting.
Turning point in the narrative – after Malala recovers
We might consider her time in this hospital a kind of “rebirth.” She’s rising from the ashes of her assassination attempt, preparing to return to the global stage stronger than ever.
In stark contrast to what the Taliban intended, Malala’s near death does not intimidate the Taliban’s enemies into silence. Instead, it creates new enemies for the Taliban all around the world. Many of the world’s most powerful people, including movie stars, politicians, and religious authorities, unite in their support for Malala—thus implicitly condemning the Taliban for attacking her. When Malala was nearly killed she was a national figure, but after being “reborn” in Birmingham,” she’s becoming a global icon.
Intertextuality of Islam
Malala ends her book with an inspiring prayer to God—another reminder that she is an incredibly humble person. Although she’s won every honor given for humanitarian work (including the Nobel Peace Prize), she refuses to think of herself as “special”—on the contrary, she regards herself as nothing but the servant of other human beings. This prayer is also important as a contrast to the radical Islam of the Taliban. Through her words and character, Malala shows the true nature of her faith.