A Thousand Splendid Suns Analysis

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Recommended: Cultural conflict between tradition and modernity

Tradition and Progressive Change in the Novel A Thousand Splendid Suns
With the introduction and/or evolution of modernism characterized by the invention of new technologies, a different way of doing things, freedom among other things, traditional values and cultures that exist in a community are eventually threatened. As a result, the reactionaries attempt to find a way of maintaining tradition while the revolutionaries try to embrace the change. With reference to the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, the author has not only successively and effectively discussed the culture of the Afghanistans, but has also brought out the rivalry between traditional and modern cultures.
The conflict between traditional and modern cultures is conspicuously …show more content…

This is evidenced by the Jalils when they brand Nana and Mariam as ‘second class people’ because of their poverty (Puspitasari 5). This runs parallel to modern culture where socioeconomic status is earned. Hakim commands respect from his students not because he asks them to, but because of his wisdom and respect for them. The way of eating also differs among the two cultures. Whereas traditionalists like Rasheed prefer eating with their hands, the modern culture requires that eating be done through the use of dishes and this is illustrated by Rasheed’s earlier encounter with …show more content…

For instance, traditional architecture is exhibited by the ‘kolba’ in which Nana and her daughter, Mariam live as opposed to the modern house in which Jalil and Rasheed live. Traditionalism also required that fashion in the sense of outfits such as ‘burqa’, ‘pakol’ and ‘turban’ be embraced as opposed to modern views of one’s sense of dressing which are sorely dependent on choice and comfort. This is illustrated by Mariam’s remarks regarding the kind of women she encounters in Kabul. She refers to them as a different breed of women from those she is used to. Contrary to the women in her neighborhood who were always fully covered as the tradition demanded, these were modern Afghan women married to modern Afghan men who did not mind their wives walking among strangers “…with makeup on their faces and nothing on their heads” (Puspitasari

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