Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad

Dirie believes that FGM in Somalia is borne of broader misogyny that considers women chattel, to be controlled and owned by men. What experiences in Dirie’s childhood, apart from her FGM, support her depiction of Somalia as shaped by misogynistic views driven by “the ego, selfishness, and aggression of men” (224)?

Dirie’s Resilience and Determination play a huge role in her changed circumstances, as does the unpredictable element of luck. What role did each of these factors play, and which had a greater impact on her life?

Was Dirie’s decision to steal the fraudulent passport from her friend Marilyn unethical, or does the end result, including her part in the Bond film and her subsequent modeling career, justify the means? Support your answer with textual evidence.