Zahra's character is what we consider to be a stereotypical female role. She became a part of the community when she was purchased by Richard Moss at just 15 to become his wife along with the other 3 wives he already had. That right there indicates that she was actually pictured as less then human but as an actual possession. This falls into the Marxist classist view because even in the walls of the community everyone has a certain class or role that they fall into. She was denied the right to learn how to read and couldn't pertain in any activities without permission. When the community collapsed, Harry is the one who saved Zahra from being raped and killed. Which again aids to feminist criticism on how people see women as needing to be saved and need saving by strong male figures. The book describes Zahra as extremely beautiful which we think can coincide with the beautiful "damsel in distress" that girls are often portrayed to be. When Lauren makes the decision to go undercover as a boy so it is safer, Zahra looked at her like she was crazy because that completely goes against the typical female norm. By the end, Zahra finds strength in herself and is able to become a lot more independent. She even wanted Lauren to start teaching her to read and began to like the thought of Earthseed. 

        From the outside, Zahra is just seen as the weak girl that keeps getting tagged along in life. She was pulled out of a bad situation into a life with Moss. Then Harry pulled her from the guys that were going to kill her, and she was pulled along with Lauren after their community had collapsed. What people don’t know is how resourceful Zahra really is. She on multiple occasions was able to help the group out whether it be getting food or just sharing useful tips about how she copped with life before she was bought by Moss. Instead of being pulled along like other people might have perceived her, she actually had a willingness to learn, but most importantly she had a willingness to help those in the group. The average person would have been too broken to move on after the community was ransacked and after what those guys had done to her. 

        Lauren Lacey said in her article about Parable of the Sower  "The text demonstrates that coping with power requires adaptability, strength, and the willingness to take power for oneself." Zahra never lets her past experience with being homeless with her mother, to being a possession of Richard Moss define her, and she turns out to be a crucial part in the groups survival. She chooses to adapt and help her friends survive so they can rebuild a new life. Even though all of the characters have been through so much she was able to find a new partner in Harry that we think has lead to her higher self confidence which has ultimately had a positive impact on her.