Mapping Normative Geographies in Nadia Hashimi’s the Pearl That Broke Its Shell

Abstract

Space and place are pertinent to the understanding of human relationships. The cultural orientation of a geography has its impact on the spatial division of gender and gender roles. The present study investigates the cultural division of space and place within Pashtun societies. The study employs Tim Cresswell's theorization of normative geography to understand the construction of normative geography and its representation in The Pearl That Broke Its Shell The study, through a textual analysis method, explores the place-appropriate and out-of-place actions in the selected works. The study concludes that the Pashtun patriarchy constructs the contours of Pashtun normative geography. In this normative geography, the Pashtun woman is spatially marginalized. The study concludes that Pashtun women's spatial transgressions are frequently viewed as deviant or rebellious, thereby illustrating the restrictive boundaries imposed by gendered spatial expectations.