The main character, Malala, in this book faces many external and internal conflicts. The first example of an external conflict faced by Malala is the conflict with the Taliban. This is a man versus man conflict. The Taliban are opposed to Malala’s ideology of universal education and these opposing ideologies lead to the external conflict. The book is about Malala’s fight against the Taliban, who are trying to create an oppressive regime in Malala’s homeland. She continued her education in the face of Taliban threats and even started to criticize their views on women. “I… for the first time talked publicly about how we had defied the Taliban edict…girls of Swat are not afraid of anyone.” (I am Malala; Chapter 17, page 214). The Taliban attempted to assassinate her for speaking against them. Malala survived the attack and continues to campaign for peace and education. In her words, “Taliban are not our rulers. It’s my life; how I live it is my choice.” (I am Malala; Epilogue, page 311) Malala resolves this conflict be making her own destiny and not letting the Taliban control her.
A second example of external conflict found within the book is the conflict between the women in Pakistan and the society that seeks to curtail their rights. This is a man versus society conflict. The book highlights the fact that women in Pakistan are oppressed by the society and treated as second-class citizens. In her home country, Malala has to fight against those who criticize her ideology and accuse her of spreading false propaganda. Malala wants to change the views of the Islamic scholars towards women’s rights but faces extreme opposition from those who believe that women should not be equal to men in a traditional Islamic society. “In Pakistan we had had a woman prime minister…yet the fact was that we were a country where almost all the women depend entirely on men.” (I am Malala; Chapter 18, page 218). Malala criticizes the traditions and customs that oppress women. “Why should a girl’s life be ruined to settle a dispute she has nothing to do with?” (I am Malala; Chapter 4, page 67). Malala believes that lack of education is the root cause of all problems and decides to fight against a society that seeks to keep women illiterate. “Going to school…wasn’t just a way of passing time, it was our future.” (I am Malala; Chapter 11, page 146). Malala resolves this conflict by vowing to continue her struggle for every girl’s right to education. “I don’t want to be thought of as the ‘girl who was shot by the Taliban’ but the ‘girl who fought for education.' ” (I am Malala; Epilogue, page 309)
Malala also faces internal conflict, as she had to make some very hard decisions. She had to decide whether to continue her education in the face of Taliban threats or to give up her campaign and be safe from the constant fear of being killed. Malala continues this internal struggle throughout the book as she overcomes her fear and fights against oppression. “My feeling was nobody can stop death…So I should do whatever I want to do.” (I am Malala; Chapter 18, page 224). She pays a heavy price for her choice. Even after facing death she does not give up, she writes, “This is your second life. Don’t be afraid-if you are afraid, you can’t move forward.” (I am Malala; Epilogue, page 309)
In the real world this struggle continues, as young girls in Pakistan are still fearful when they attend school, and their communities are plagued with the constant threat of Taliban violence. Women and girls still have to fight for basic rights such as the right to education. The male dominated society opposes equality for women. Often women pay a heavy price for revolting against oppressive laws. They face a constant internal struggle, as they have to choose to either suffer quietly the burdens and the lack of rights that the society imposes on them, or rebel against it and suffer the consequences of their rebellion. They are not allowed freedoms in thought or action.