Discussion Topic C

   A Thousand Splendid Suns, a widely read novel by Khaled Hosseini, describes Mariam’s, the main character, past and how it has shaped who she is. Hosseini’s portrayal of Mariam’s manipulative life highlights her struggles that she has gone through. At a young age, Mariam experienced a torturing connection with her mother. Feeling unwanted created memories that contributed to Mariam’s mixed emotions toward the people she loved most. In this novel Hosseini points out to his readers that incidents from years ago are likely to change a person’s attitude and way of thinking.

   In most stages of the novel, Nana, Mariam’s mother, mistreated her; the harsh speeches that were directed towards Mariam and her destroyed wishes of getting a higher education were some punishments she received from her mother. Her mother enforced her to be independent and intelligent without schooling. “Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.” (pg.7) Life lessons were also an important aspect that Nana stressed out to Mariam. Nana’s constant advice helped Mariam understand in the future that being a woman was challenging but nevertheless standing up for justice was the correct path to take. The love that Mariam once felt for her father completely faded away when he forced her to marry Rasheed. “No. No, she said. Don’t come. I won’t see you. Don’t you come. I don’t want to hear from you. Ever. Ever.”(pg.55) Jalil’s carelessness for his daughter lead to a negative impact for Mariam because she lost the trust and compassion that she had for him. She lost the desire to see him again. With the bad experiences that Mariam is facing, she becomes emotionally and mentally stronger. Her marriage with Rasheed is another complication that she has to face in life. Being obligated to accept physical abuse was a hardship Mariam didn’t think she was going to experience. “There was blood on his hands, blood on Mariam’s face, her hair, down her check and back. Her shirt had been ripped down from the front.” (pg.269) Even after Rasheed married Laila, Mariam continued to be abused by him. Mariam’s rage grew for Rasheed. “She turned it so the sharp edge was vertical, and, as she did, it occurred to her that this was the first time that she was deciding the course of her own life.” (pg.349) After all the harmful happenings that occurred to Mariam, she has finally stood up for herself. The useful advice that her mother shared with Mariam helped her realize the importance of life. Despite the events she went through, Mariam died in peace and was thankful for the opportunities she had.  All in all, the differing feelings she has for characters in the novel have helped her endure. Going through an adversity is transitioning into the stages of life.  

Discussion Topic B

   In the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini he portrays various literary elements that expose the taunting topic of gender relations that is evident in most Afghanistan countries. Allusion and metaphor are used to contrast the qualities that exist between a woman and a man. The main characters Mariam and Laila share a common aspect that has prohibited them from succeeding for the most part of their lives. Being a woman in Afghanistan is harsh. For Mariam and Laila, living under a man’s cruel punishment has eliminated them from doing activities they enjoy such as getting an education or having a job. They have both lost their parents which has been hard for them to overcome. The past experiences of both Mariam and Laila have shaped who they are and have made them stronger people. Therefore, the literary element of allusion creates a guide for both. They rely on what they know and make decisions based on their knowledge. Rasheed, husband of both, has denied the liberty that a woman deserves in life such as dressing the way one likes and talking to other people. “Oh, I also ask that when we are out together, that you wear a burqa. For your own protection, naturally.” (pg.223) From this quote one can infer the traditional beliefs that Rasheed still stands up to. He believes that women should be the complete property of their husbands. Being as stubborn as he is, Khaled Hosseini depicts how this has developed a difference in gender relations in the novel. The fact that Rasheed is the male in his household makes him feel superior to Mariam and Laila. He creates a boundary between men and women. When Laila has a son from Rasheed, he favors Zalmai over all. “He’d paid for new clothes, new rattles, new bottles, new diapers, when though they could not afford them and Aziza’s old ones were still serviceable.” (pg. 295) After Rasheed’s son died years earlier from his first marriage, he always desired to own another boy that could help him look over his wife and carry out the rules to his house. On the contrast to Rasheed’s fatherly love for Zalmai, he doesn’t accept Aziza. “There will be others like her, younger even,” Rasheed said. Everyone in Kabul is doing the same.” (pg. 299) Hosseini uses this metaphor to compare Rasheed’s act of negligence with Aziza over the rest of the young children in Kabul. Rasheed’s lack of respect for women carries along with the way he treats an innocent girl, Aziza. Without a doubt, the dominance of the male has condemned Afghani women in leading an independent life.