Cultural Bridges and Gender Battles in The Breadwinner

Abstract

This paper explores Cultural Translation and Gender Politics in The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, examining how the novel represents Afghan society through the lens of cross-cultural narration and gendered oppression. Set during the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the narrative presents the struggles of a young girl forced to disguise herself as a boy in order to survive within a rigidly patriarchal system. The study investigates how cultural experiences are translated for a global readership and how such translation shapes perceptions of Afghan women, Islam, and political conflict. Through the framework of cultural translation and gender theory, the paper analyzes the power dynamics embedded in representation, questioning who speaks for whom and how authority is constructed in transnational storytelling. While the novel raises awareness about gender injustice and political repression, it also participates in broader discourses that mediate Eastern realities for Western audiences. By applying a critical perspective, this study highlights the intersections of language, ideology, and gender politics in the construction of cultural narratives within contemporary children’s literature.