Does My Head Look Big in This – Book Review
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Randa Abdel-Fattah in her novel Does my head look big in this explores the concept of overcoming adversity very effectively. The main character Amal faces a number of challenges when, as a young Muslim lady chooses to wear the hijab. First of all she has to overcome her own doubts and uncertainties. Secondly she has to persuade her parents that she has considered the implications of her decision and that she has chosen to wear the hijab for sound personal and religious reasons. When her parents are sure that her reasons are sincere they provide their full love and support. (when parents arent sure/ are sure)- sure when seeing the principle, discussing with aunt and uncle. In an attempt to convince her aunty and uncle that the choice to wear the scarf is hers. Despite these challenges, Amal gains a sense of belonging and religious identity from wearing the hijab. Ultimately she concludes that…
Some of the greatest obstacles of adversity Amal has to face include her own doubts and insecurities. In this first person narrative, we the reader shares Amals thoughts and feelings as she wonders whether she should wear the hijab or not; I cant sleep from stressing about whether Ive got the guts to do it. To wear the hijab…”. Amal realises that it is not an easy decision and admits that she is “terrified” and will face hurtful abuse and labels such as “nappy head” “tea towel head” and “camel Jockey”. However, she will no longer suppress her Muslimness”. Randa Abdel Fattah also told us that she experienced many names and alienation from small minded people. “You walk down the street and have someone spit at me or to call out from a passing car “go home you wog”… In an attempt to make up her mind she lists the advantages and disadvantages on her To wear or not to wear list”. Amals inner doubts and insecurities are resolved by the end of the book as she comes to the realisation that even though she has made the decision to wear the hijab full-time its purpose is not to earn “brownie points” but as she matures and grows she come to the conclusion thats is true purpose is to change what on the inside, which is where it really counts. “Putting on the hijab isnt the end of the journey. Its just the beginning of it.”
At first Amal is surprised that her parents do not offer her unqualified support for her decision to wear the hijab. She immediately pick up from their body language that they are not sure that wearing the hijab is necessarily a good one; “…and to my disbelief they look at each other nervously…”. She naively assumes that they will be overjoyed by her decision although she is surprised and disappointed by her parents reaction as they respond somewhat unenthusiastically to her news; But it is a big decision, honey, and youre