Gender Roles In A Thousand Splendid Suns

The women of Afghan go through great lengths; obstacles, both momentous and physical hinder their path as they tolerate oppression. Written by Afghan-american author Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns depicts a woman's life during a time period of 1959-2003 and how changes in Afghan society force female characters to endure. In this fictional novel, the story follows an illegitimate girl, Mariam as she ages, learning of society through her experiences. By constantly being exposed to the characteristics and customs of Afghan society the female character progress, learning to endure gender bias, male dominance, and strict rules.

Gender bias is prevalent characteristic that plagues Afghan society and the female characters in the story. After the Taliban gain control of Kabul, they implement a series of strict, authoritarian rules. Not only do the rules controlling, most of the laws are directed towards women. Laila, who was raised by

more modern, less conservative parents, was left shocked and outraged by the new laws. Over dinner, she exclaimed, “‘They can’t make half the population stay home and do nothing”’(Hosseini 278). Raised in a city that was more lenient towards women, Lailia was left flustered as both Mariam and Rasheed, her husband beg to differ. In trying to justify her comment, Laila comes to understanding of the conditions she is; women are dispicable just because of their gender. Instead of giving in, Laila finds strength in her children and Mariam, to later in rebel against Rasheed. The females in this book use this discrimination to fuel their courage and determination. Both Mariam and Laila form a bond because they are both female with an abusive husband, and endure the (conditions) without faltering.
As shown in the story, Afghan society is very patriarchal. Male dominance is prevalent and plague the female characters the story. While trying to run away from Rasheed, Laila and Mariam are turned in by the family that they payed to help them get to Peshawar. During the police interrogation Laila came to realise that they were not going to let Mariam and her escape. She states that Rasheed will do unspeakable things to her and Mariam. In responce Officer Rahman replies, “What a man does in his home is his business” (Hosseini 266). The officer tries to dodge the question of male dominance and power by simply stating that it is a “private family matter” (Hosseini 266). Stating in this manner, the officers seem to understand the truth in the situation, but he neither emphasized nor pitties Laila. Furthermore, he seem to enjoy having such control. Laila persists instead of losing hope in fear of harm toward Mariam and her daughter. Again we see the ability to endure such brutal conditions as both characters understand that they are each other’s support system in a abusive society as they work with what they have.
When the Taliban took over, the old system was abolished, bringing new law and therefore, more oppression towards women.

A list of seemingly endless rules directed toward women, along with major reform present themselves in Taliban rule. Hospitals in Kabul were ordered to discharge all female personnel from the hospital and transfer them to a one facility. Lilai, who is in labor, had to wait until dark to have a doctor look at her. The condition at the hospital are pitiful, with funding being “turned away” or “cater[ed] to men” (Hosseini 290). The announced that Laila need a caesarian, but no medication was available. When confronted with the situation, Laila responded with, “Cut me open and give me my baby” (Hosseini 291). With a confident tone, Laila signifies that she is willing to deal with not only the physical pain but also the fact that the Taliban had cut off funding for women’s hospitals. Once more we see the quality of endurance; no hesitation or reluctance from such a daunting task for both the surgeon and

patient.
The characteristics and customs of Afghan society force women to gain the quality of endurance. These characteristic, including gender bias, male dominance, and strict rules not only overshadow their lives, but strengthen their wills as persist and progress through these hardships. Marium, Laila, and the other females in this book gain this quality though first hand experiences, living through the degenerative view that society holds against them. Although endurace is a great characteristic to have, the endurance listed in this book seem to come as a byproduct of such an oppressive society.