Essay On A Thousand Splendid Suns

Afghani woman live a very rigorous life and it’s very well shown through the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Woman in Afghani culture have very little education because they are forced to be married at a young age and become a house wife as most people would say. Women are expected to have a good reputation to be respected by others. Before the Taliban came in affect women were allowed to work but as soon as the Taliban were in charge, women were forced to quit their jobs. Throughout the novel Mariam shows what it is like to be an Afghani woman. At the beginning of the novel Mariam wished to go to school, soon after she had an arranged marriage with Rasheed. The life Mariam shows throughout this story is very similar to

any afghani cultured woman.
How would you feel if you were treated as anything less then your true potential? Women in the Afghani society feel this way everyday. Men have made them feel that they’re not good enough to be apart of the important things in life instead they are made to be a good house wife, to cook and clean and take care of the children. The Taliban came to power in 1996 to 2001, in-between these year woman began to lose their jobs. 70% of woman were teachers but because of the Taliban woman basically working anywhere was soon revoked. The Taliban even revoked state-run all girl schools to all male institutions. In 1997 they called for a nationwide ban for public education to all woman and girls. "What's the sense schooling a girl like you? It's like shining a spittoon. And you'll learn nothing of value in those schools. There is only one, only one skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don't teach it in school. Look at me.” This is Nana’s response when she realizes that Mariam wishes she could attend school. During Mariam’s childhood it wasn't uncommon for girls to go to school but Nana did not value education and neither did the Taliban for women and girls.
Mariam’s and Rasheed’s marriage in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is arranged and Mariam was very young.

In the Afghani culture it’s normal to have arranged marriages. “So, in the interest of time, we will bypass some of the traditional steps to speed up the proceedings.” (Hosseini,#56) because of the short time they have they want to make it short and simple and it is arranged so there really isn't anything special about it. “Then the mullah asked Rasheed if he indeed wished to enter into a marriage contract with Mariam. Rasheed said, "Yes." His harsh, raspy voice reminded Mariam of the sound of dry autumn leaves crushed underfoot.” As it says above “marriage contract” shows there arranged marriage that is taking place. Marriages in the Afghanistan culture are normally arranged by the family. It is the first contact they have with one another and the first time with the opposite sex from a different family. It is very common to see marriages between second and sometimes even first cousins because of the close bond they share. The topic of arranged marriages is controversial only to Westerners. It is quite commonplace in tribal societies around the world, and is a way to strengthen political alliances and build family wealth. It is very common in most countries because of tradition and religion and are celebration last up to three

days.
After the fall of the Taliban women have gained most rights back that they were denied. The President Hamid Karzai’s even included a female vice president position. Still, some warn that having female politicians is more about symbolism than actual change. Karzai said he wants women to play a bigger role in the army and police force, to guard against domestic violence in a society where the sexes are often separated. Personal lives and jobs are contracted by customs and the law. In a rural area, women either receive little or no education at all. There is poor security for women and they are Taliban threats often to female teachers, and females among any profession. The future for afghani women is to look for keeping their rights protected and to keep them safe. In the novel when the Taliban has ended and everyone has stopped fighting all media films, books, paintings, music, television are banned. Women are forbidden from leaving the home unattended or without the burqa. Women are also banned from attending school which is nothing new. “Girls are forbidden from attending school All schools for girls will be closed immediately. Women are forbidden from working. If you are found guilty of adultery, you will be stoned to death”. In the novel it shows no improvement after the Taliban and Laila is devastated and doesn't understand why she can’t leave their house until she heres otherwise. That shows a difference from the novel and real life.
Being a women who lives in the Afghani culture and under the Taliban struggled more than most women could imagine. Not being able to attend school, have any kind of job in any profession, being stuck at home respecting the men and taking care of the children that you might have day in and day out. Women might even have to share their husband with another women like the novel showed between Mariam, Rasheed, and Laila. Many women have to work hard just by staying home to take care of them men but also not having a say in anything that is going on. Mariam showed the struggles throughout the novel of not being able to attend school but wishing to. Showing that an arranged marriage is hard when you don't know the person and being so young such as being eighteen years old and being married. Women of afghani culture have came a long way since the Taliban has fallen.