In his novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, Khaled Hosseini skillfully illustrates many aspects of Afghan culture to the reader. The novel explores the struggles that have plagued Afghanistan, and how they have affected the lives of its people. Through the story’s two narrators, Mariam and Laila, the reader is presented with examples of how the nation’s culture has changed over time. Through “A Thousand Splendid Suns” Khaled Hosseini emphasizes the struggle in the area between traditional beliefs and progressive changes, specifically as they relate to women’s rights. Throughout history it has been shown these that progressive reforms are unable to coincide with strict Islamic beliefs.
One aspect of the novel that highlights this struggle is its setting, as it takes place during four time periods, each at a different stage in Afghan history. Throughout these unstable decades, the country’s government went through continuous upheavals with each new government advocating different
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ideals. From the concept of progression against tradition, two governments stand out, communism and the Taliban. While the communist regime emphasizes the ideals of progression and modernization in the country, the Taliban obeys the traditional beliefs of Islamic culture. By examining the laws and practices of these two governments, it is apparent that progressive nature presented in the time of communism cannot coincide with the traditions of the Islamic Taliban. To illustrate the progressive nature of the communist regime the author presents several characters who view these changes in a positive light. One such character is Laila’s school teacher, who states “That’s why our Soviet comrades came here in 1979. To lend a neighbor a hand. To help us defeat these brutes who want our country to be a backward primitive nation” (Hosseini, 112). In addition to Laila’s teacher the reader can see that Laila’s father, Babi, also makes several statements that cast the communist regime in a progressive view. Babi states that “Women have always had it hard in this country, Laila, but they’re probably more free now, under the communists, and have more rights than they have ever had before” (Hosseini, 135). Through these two quotes the reader can determine that the communist regime had attempted to progress afghan culture during their rule. In addition to the opinions of these characters the reader can see the progressive nature of the time period through the eyes of Laila herself. From multiple aspects within her life, the reader can determine that it was during the communist regime that Laila felt truly free. Laila, as well as the other children, had a right to receive an education and were relatively unrestricted in their day to day life. These progressive rights are noted throughout the story, as Laila is typically able to do anything that she wants to with her friends including going to the movies with Tariq. Since Tariq and Laila were unmarried, activities such as these were considered scandalous, and went against strict Islamic beliefs. While this freedom seems like a basic right that should have been given to everyone within society, it is a far cry from the stringent traditional values of Islamic culture. Beyond what Khaled Hosseini presents in his novel, the progressive nature of Afghan communism has also been noted by several others.
Some researchers have stated that the “the communist regime in Afghanistan was an example of what has been termed `'revolution' from above, i.e. the introduction and imposition of a set of changes by a radical group within the state apparatus committed to a forced modernization of the country.” (Halliday & Tanin, 1358). During this time period the communist government pushed through several laws aimed at modernization. It has been noted that some laws passed during this time period dealt specifically with progressing women’s rights and roles within society (Zulfacar, 35). Among these laws was Decree No. 7 “which was intended to end the oppressive situation of women in Afghanistan” (Zulfacar, 35). Through these examples, as well as those from the novel it is evident that the new communist government in Afghanistan sought the reform and progression of Afghan
culture. While these progressive movements were admirable, they met heavy resistance within the country, which ultimately led to the downfall of the communist regime. While in the novel, some characters, such as Babi, sought out this progressive change, it is also noted that many young people favored traditional values and joined the Jihad against the Soviet Union. It has been noted that this resistance “was a way of combating external and foreign influences that were labelled ‘westernization’ and ‘communism” (Zulfacar, 39). Although these influences proved to be progressive for the country, the majority of citizens preferred the traditions and beliefs of their homeland, as opposed to those of other nations, and were willing to fight to protect them. Through the resistance to the communist regime, and its progressive attempts in the region, the reader is shown an example of how people fought against forward thinking and progressive changes in favor of traditional values. Following the collapse of communism in the area and a brutal civil war, the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, was able to wrest control of the country. With the Taliban in control they sought to assert their own traditional beliefs upon the country. Among their beliefs was a “conservative interpretation of traditional women’s roles and social conducts” (Zulfacar, 42). In association with these beliefs the Taliban passed new, extensive, restrictive laws. Notable among these laws are those that deal with the rights of women. Historically “under Taliban decrees, women have been forbidden to work outside their homes, except in hospitals and clinics, and then only if they work exclusively with women and girls. Girls have been expelled from schools and colleges, and told that, for now at least, education is for boys only” (Burns, Para 12). Another far reaching law during this period was the need for women to remain in their homes unless accompanied by a man (Burns, 13). The wide ranging effects of these laws on the individual are fully explored in Khaled Hosseini’s novel. Hossieni gives many examples of how these new stricter laws influenced both society, and the individual. One example occurs when Laila gives birth to Zalmai, as she is told that the hospital no longer treats women, and that she would have to go to an all women hospital (Hosseini, 285). Once they reach the hospital they find that it is missing many necessities and that it places undue burdens upon its staff. As an example of these unnecessary burdens, it is noted that the surgeon who has to perform Laila’s C-section is expected to do so in full Burqa (Hosseini, 291). Through this example the reader can see that the effects of the laws had far reaching consequences that stunted the progression of society. Another example of how these laws influenced women in Afghanistan was that they were no longer able to leave their homes unattended. This affected Laila at two points in the novel, as she and Mariam were unable to flee from Rasheed, and she was unable to visit her daughter after being forced to place her into an orphanage. The novel also shows how these laws were brutally enforced. As an example, when Laila was discovered outside without the company of a man she was punished. The novel states that “One day, a young Talib beat Laila with a radio antenna. When he was done, he gave a final whack on the back of the neck and said, “I see you again, I’ll beat you until your mother’s milk leaks out of your bones” (Hosseini, 321). By contrasting these examples with the relatively free life that Laila lived while the country was under communist rule the reader can see the extreme struggle of women in Afghanistan during this time period This novel highlights the struggles that the women of Afghanistan have faced over the past forty years. The attempts of promoting progressive changes in this society are contrasted with ruthless laws of traditional Taliban. While Afghanistan as a whole saw many progressive changes before and during the communist rule, a desire to return Afghani culture to traditional Islamic values saw the degradation of the rights for many members of society. It is through the setting of the novel and the interactions between its characters, that the reader notices these contrasting viewpoints. Though some people in Afghanistan, such as Laila’s teacher and father, believed that the progressive changes brought about by communist influences were a good thing, there was a majority of society who yearned to return to traditional Afghani values. It was this acceptance of traditional Islamic culture that allowed the Taliban to seize control and pass restrictive laws. This constant struggle of progressive reform against Traditional value continues to this day
Social injustice is revealed throughout the novel and Hosseini really goes in depth and indulges the reader by portraying every aspect of the life of women in Afghanistan at the time period. He also reveals most of the social injustice women still have to deal with today. This novel is based on two young women and the social injustices they face because of their gender. Gender inequality was very common in Afghanistan
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Women are beaten, and it is culturally acceptable. Like routine, women are beaten in Afghanistan almost every day. When a person purposely inflicts sufferings on others with no feelings of concern, like the women of Afghanistan, he is cruel. Cruelty can manifest from anger, irritation, or defeat and is driven by self-interest. An idea that is explored in many works of literature, cruelty also appears in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns in the relationship between a husband and wife. In their case, the husband uses cruelties in the form of aggression are to force his wife to submit. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Hosseini’s use of cruelty elucidates the values of both Rasheed and Mariam as well as essential ideas about the nature of
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The novel tells the story of, Amir. Amir is portrayed as the protagonist; the novel revolves around his recollection of past events 26 years ago as a young boy in Afghanistan. Amir is adventures and brave. Hassan is Amir’s closets friend and servant to his house and is portrayed as a subservient male, often supporting and accepting blame for Amir’s actions. Assef, Wali and Kamal are the “ bad guys” within the novel; Wali and Kamal hold down Hassan and Assef rapes him purely for ethnicity differences, as Hassan is a Hazara. Afghanistan boys are supposed to be athletic and true to Islam .The leaving of Soraya Hassan mother with another man gives the notion that women lack morality leaving behind there children .The Taliban laws are followed closely within Afghanistan and women are treated without any rights, beatings, stoning and execution become the reality for women who violate the laws. Culturally Afghanistan women are portrayed to be subservient to there husband only live and breath to provide children, cook food and clean their
This book by A. Widney Brown and LeShawn R.Jefferson reflects on the negative impacts of different Talib decrees on the overall development Afghan women.
Even after Amir and his father flew to America one afternoon decades ago, still haunts him. Amir’s inaction that day impacts the rest of his life and leads to lies, betrayal, and guilt. He desires to be forgiven for his sin and does everything he can to find redemption. Amir is hopeful that “there is a way to be good again”(Hosseini 2). Social and ethnic tensions: The Kite Runner gives us a look at Afghanistan before the Soviet invasion and then after.
The Islamic women of Afghanistan are denied many of the same liberties that Americans take for granted everyday. Although the religion that they have faith in, according to Janelle Brown’s “Terror’s First Victims”, “guarantee[s] women status in society as individuals and religious d...
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Lila Abu-Lughod’s article titled, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?” takes a closer look at the problematic ethnocentric approach many have when trying to gain an understanding of another culture that may be foreign to that individual. In this analytical paper, Lughod looks at women in Islam, specifically the treatment of women and how it might be utilized as a justification for invading into a country and liberating its people. The country Lughod refers to in her article is Afghanistan, and Lughod points out the misunderstanding from the people to the Bush administration like First Lady Laura Bush who believed that intervention was necessary to free women from the captivity of their own homes. It is important to consider the role that different lenses play into all of this, especially when one’s lenses are being shaped by the media. Depictions of covered women secluded from society leave a permanent image in the minds of many, who would then later support the idea of liberation. This paper will discuss that the practice of using propaganda when referring to the lifestyle in the Middle East is not exclusive to the U.S; rather it has been utilized throughout history. Additionally, we will take a closer look on the importance of symbols, such as veils in this case; help to further emphasize the cause to liberate. Finally, we will analyze Lughod’s plea towards cultural relativism and away from liberal imperialism.
The Kite Runner “illuminates ethnic tensions, political turmoil and Taliban repression in Afgahnistan through the story of boyhood friendship and betrayal” ('Kite Runner' Shines A Light On Afghan Sport). By intertwining the real life struggles of Afghani people and the characters of this fiction novel, “Hosseini brings us into the politically chaotic but beautiful world of Afghanistan and one man’s journey through guilt and trauma from his childhood” (Pearson 66).
Khaled Hosseini, author of A Thousand Splendid Suns, is indisputably a master narrator. His refreshingly distinctive style is rampant throughout the work, as he integrates diverse character perspectives as well as verb tenses to form a temperament of storytelling that is quite inimitably his own. In his novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, he explores the intertwining lives of two drastically different Afghani women, Lailia and Mariam, who come together in a surprising twist of fate during the Soviet takeover and Taliban rule. After returning to his native Afghanistan to observe the nation’s current state amidst decades of mayhem, Hosseini wrote the novel with a specific fiery emotion to communicate a chilling, yet historically accurate account
Abstract: Women of Afghanistan are forced to live under oppressive regulations set forth for them by the men of their societies. Women have virtually no rights to do anything for themselves. There entire lives are controlled by and lived for someone else. Through their songs, they lament the conditions of their lives and are able to convey a beauty in their verses that all people can identity with. (67 words)
The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns explores the plight of women in Afghanistan; the focus is put on three women Nana, Mariam and Laila. Women in Afghanistan often face difficult and unfortunate situations. In this essay we will examine some of these unfortunate situations for women.
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.