A Thousand Splendid Suns

1242 Words3 Pages

In a nation brimming with discrimination, violence and fear, a multitudinous number of hearts will become malevolent and unemotional. However, people will rebel. In the eye-opening novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns written by Khaled Hosseini, the country of Afghanistan is exposed to possess cruel, treacherous and sexist law and people. The women are classified as something lower than human, and men have the jurisdiction over the women. At the same time, the most horrible treatment can bring out some of the best traits in victims, such as consideration, boldness, and protectiveness. Although, living in an inconsiderate world, women can still carry aspiration and benevolence. Mariam and Laila (the main characters of A Thousand Splendid Suns) are able to retain their consideration, boldness and protectiveness, as sufferers in their atrocious world. Mariam and Laila are able to maintain consideration in the most arduous circumstances. Consideration is shown when Mariam and Laila take into account other facts or circumstances before making a judgement. An illustration of Laila’s being considerate about Mariam is as Laila lies to defend Mariam, even though Mariam had been insensitive to Laila: Mariam straightened up. “I hope you don’t think this excuses you from your chores.” Laila opened her mouth, thought better of it. She reminded herself that Miriam was the only innocent party in this arrangement. Mariam and the baby. Later in bed, Laila burst into tears. What was the matter? Rasheed wanted to know, lifting her chin. Was she ill? Was it the baby, was something wrong with the baby? No? Was Mariam mistreating her? “That’s it, isn’t it?” “No” “Wallah o billah, I’ll go down and teach her a lesson. Who does she think she is, tha... ... middle of paper ... ..., spittle flying from his mouth, his eyes glittering with murderous intent, kicking until he couldn’t anymore. (305) Essentially, Laila and Mariam protect each other from Rasheed, but they also protect the other important people in their lives when they are threatened also. Equally important, they protect others, in spite of the lack of protection from the power of oppression. Mariam and Laila are considerate, bold and protective while all their rights as humans are being oppressed. They can be courageous when there is everything to be afraid of, yet they take the risk, because they know it is right. Both will protect when they haven’t been protected from the danger of oppression. Laila and Mariam can be sympathetic in an inconsiderate world. Together, Mariam and Laila exemplify the hidden defiance against oppression, a burning fire counterattacking the darkness.

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