How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"What good are all your smarts to you now? What's keeping you off the streets, your smarts or me? I'm despicable? Half the women in the city would kill to have a husband like me. They would kill for it." (3.38.22)
This is an unfortunate truth that the educated, middle-class Laila has yet to realize. It's easy to pursue your dreams when you have money, but it's much harder when finances are tight. This becomes doubly true once the Taliban basically forbids women from making a living.
Quote #2
"There is no time," she said. "For one thing, none of the nearby pharmacies have it. […] Even if you find it, chances are you can't afford it. Or you'll find yourself in a bidding war with someone just as desperate." (3.39.70)
In America, people debate over the price of medical care until they go blue in the face, but they should count their blessings that things aren't this bad. There's little doubt that the warlords who run the government have plenty of money to buy medical care for themselves, leaving little for poor women like Laila.
Quote #3
Laila told him she didn't care what other people did with their children.
"I'll keep a close eye on her," Rasheed said, less patiently now. "It's a safe corner. There's a mosque across the street!"
"I won't let you turn my daughter into a street beggar!" Laila snapped. (3.40.46-48)
Okay, you think child labor is bad? How about making your child pretend to be a homeless street beggar? Laila rightfully shoots down the idea, but the fact that it's an option indicates the direness of their financial status.