Life-Changing Experiences In The Life Of Malala Yousafzai's Life

Great Essays
Great success and tragic occurrence currently define Malala Yousafzai’s life. Malala’s strong relationship with her family has allowed her to survive traumatic life experiences, and has opened unimaginable opportunities for an Islamic woman.Through struggle and hardship Malala continues to prevail, and exemplifies desirable characteristics of a contributing member of society. Although Malala’s experiences differ from many young adults, similar connections can be uncovered. Throughout Malala’s journey, it is evident that she receives a great amount of support from not only her immediate family, but also from surrounding community members. The strong relationship Malala established with her parents is an immense contributor to her success as …show more content…
Malala faced various challenges, but the most extreme included the shooting she endured and the relocation of her family. Malala was shot in the face and suffered through slight facial paralysis and reconstruction. Despite Malala’s altered appearance following the reconstruction, she continued to exude confidence. When Malala’s mother would tell her, “Hide your face --- people are looking at you”, her response included “It doesn’t matter; I’m also looking at them” (Yousafzai 118-119). Malala did not allow her changed appearance alter her outlook on life. She possessed the ability to support herself, and simultaneously provided support to her family during the time of change. The Yousafzai family involuntarily changed locations, leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of their friends and family in the Swat Valley. Awareness of the emotional stressed place on her family members is evident as Malala witnesses her mother speaking on the phone with people back home rather than being sociable (Yousafzai 304). Because the family has a strong connection, they possess the ability to rely on and support each other through the difficult time. A person’s approach to handling a traumatic life experience varies because of surrounding influences, and I am fortunate to have a support system similar to Malala’s. Although I have never experienced a …show more content…
Malala’s passion for education and equality for all is evident from the beginning of the story. She dedicated herself to improving the lives of the people in her community, and is willing to endure major repercussions in order to complete her tasks. Although Malala knew it was dangerous to speak out against the Taliban, she continue to support her beliefs. Malala has accessed her resources and taken action in order to create change, which I consider admirable. Although I have partaken in service, I have not developed a passion for one specific cause. I find interest in the well-being of others, whether it be obtaining substantial amounts of food and water, physical health, or proper housing. Wartburg College emphasizes the importance of service, which was a major contributing factor in my choice to attend this institution. As I begin my journey, I constantly search for organizations I am interested in investing my time into. Commencing change on the Wartburg College campus is a major goal of mine, and Malala proves the possibility of change through

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Jewels Avila January 31, 2017 Ms. A’s Class Putting the Rights of Women First Malala Yousafzai is one of the most influential people in the world. To me and many other people, Malala Yousafzai is very brave because she took a stand against some of the most evil people in the world who believed girls do not have the right to be educated. Born in a place that did not respect women, Malala knew she had to fight for her rights. By using technology, Malala began to secretly speak her mind. Because of Malala’s unique belief and strength people wanted to silence her, but she never failed to show this bravery!…

    • 640 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In which Malala portrays her emotions that make her readers appeal to what she is showing them, the truth. She incorporates emotionally-charged words that create a sympathetic image to the audience. Yousafzai wants her audience to feel sympathetic about how miserable everything was in Pakistan. Malala initially describes the moment her mother saw her for the first time after she had been shot, “My mother was in a state of shock and could not understand..’My brave daughter my beautiful daughter’, she cried” (Yousafzai, pg. 153). By Malala utilizing pathos as a rhetorical device, she is able to appeal to the audiences emotions.…

    • 751 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Malala’s father was given a job in the U.K. where they hope to stay and be safe from the Taliban, who vow to come back for Malala someday. She has become a role model to many people (lots of girls) by being tremendously courageous and a source of hope. She hopes to be able to help many children, especially girls, get an education to become whatever they want, as she, herself, has longingly waited to have her whole childhood. Malala is now receiving education at a high school in Birmingham, and is very happy and excited to be doing so. She says, “Today I am wearing a uniform,’ she said proudly, ‘It is important, because it proved that I am a student.…

    • 1149 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Malala is able to explain how she feels towards girls being stripped of their education and how she is going to be the voice of all girls to get their education. With the insight of her life and the events within it, the reader is can acknowledge her…

    • 548 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    She is fighting for all girls to go to school and she wants everyone to have a education. She never gives up. She takes risks. “She got shot in the head but when she was better she was still protesting and never gave up.” Claims the video of Jon Stewart interviewing Malala Yousafzai.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Crucible Dbq

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for women’s rights, learned to fight for what is right when she defied the Taliban and demanded that women receive an education. On October 9, 2012, “a gunman shot Malala when she was traveling home from school. She survived, and has continued to speak out on the importance of education.” (Source B). Many women lived their lives in fear as a result of the mental, physical, and emotional damage caused by the Taliban, however Malala was much stronger than that.…

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As a young girl Malala Yousafzai was fighting for justice by defying the Taliban’s commands. This took great courage and determination. "As a child, she became an advocate for girls' education, which resulted in the Taliban issuing a death threat against her. On October 9, 2012, a gunman shot Malala when she was traveling home from school. She survived, and has continued to speak out on the importance of education" (Source B).…

    • 987 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Violence In The Odyssey

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Malala was a twelve year old girl, when she wrote a blog-post on the BBC website about the oppression of the taliban. In an attempt to silence her, they shot her. However, she survived and went on to the UN to give her speech in 2013. Malala, saddened at the fact “Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured.” (Yousafzai) and that this was all caused for personal gain of the Taliban.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Cesar Chavez Analysis

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In conclusion, Malala Yousafzai is an independent, intelligent woman who encourages people to take a stand for women’s educational…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Malala Yousafzai is not just an average 16-year old Pakistani girl. She is a Women’s Right and Education activist who believes in the best of humanity, who believes in equality, opportunity and education for children. These beliefs are also mirrored in her speech: “I speak - not for myself, but…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Two women facing social injustice From women being forced to marry at the age of 12 to not being able to receive education, women face many troubling social injustices throughout the world in a variety of ways. To further educate myself on troublesome social injustices I read two books: I am Nujood age 10 and divorced and I am Malala. Both books represent the troubling realities of two women and how they fought to make their circumstances better. The first book I read: I am Nujood age 10 and divorced is a personal narrative depicting the story of Nujood Ali’s horrific experience of being forced to marry a man three times her age, because of the traditions in her home country of Yemen. After spending months trapped in a house with…

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    According to The World’s Children’s Prize for the rights of the child Foundation explained this quality in Malala and how she chooses to do it despite the risks that accompany it, the exact words are, “Malala is determined to continue her struggle for every child’s right to an education. She believes that education is the future, and that one child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. She has her own fund, the Malala Fund, which was created to help girls get to school” (WCP n.d.). This quote shows that Malala makes a great leader due to her willingness to take on the responsibility of making sure no other girl who wants an education will lack one like she did because of the Taliban. Malala didn’t stop at opening the world’s eyes to…

    • 1856 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nobel Causes Although many children believe they have no power to create change in today’s society, Malala Yousafzai decided to stand up for her rights and oppose the obstacles in her life. Yousafzai chose to continue attending school, despite threats made against her and other young girls by the Taliban. The terrorist group then attempted to murder her in retaliation for her defiance. However, she survived and soon became the face of a campaign to give every child the right to education and young girls the freedom to follow their dreams. Yousafzai is the youngest person to receive a Nobel Peace Prize and in her acceptance speech, she uses different rhetorical strategies to spark a call to action for her beliefs.…

    • 1197 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I Am Malala Yousafzai

    • 841 Words
    • 4 Pages

    From a flash back to Malala’s birth to present day, I Am Malala written by Malala Yousafzai, is a memoir that depicts the real life struggles of a young girl seeking higher education. The book follows the journey of Malala campaigning for the right to education for all girls. Her message is known all around the world as she courageously opposes the Taliban who seek to oppress her and the rights she fights for. Over the course of the book her ideas are questioned while most reject them, as well as her religious beliefs tested when she looks to alter the status quo of women. Education can change the minds of youth around the world, and the lack of it available to women is a major problem for Pakistan.…

    • 841 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Cover Letter My essay is about what I believe a hero can be. Many people believe heroes are the people in movies running around in tights, or the people who sacrifice everything, but I believe a hero is someone who can be a simple savior in any everyday situation. My audience is anyone who wants to know what I believe being a hero is. Since the definition can be very scattered, this essay was written to say that being a hero is situational.…

    • 1176 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays