Sisters have, for a long time, been a staple of what it means to band together. Even if not related by blood, the bonds women have created throughout history have been strong. The idea that women form bonds in the face of hardship plays a key role in Khaled Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. Hosseini holds the belief that these bonds are not only incredible but necessary for their survival. Especially in the face of hardship and adversity, Hosseini believes that the friendships and sisterhoods women have is what keeps them alive. In one example, Rasheed, the husband of Mariam and Laila, blames Mariam for Laila denying him what he wants and decides to beat her as a punishment until Laila stops him. Later, Laila and Mariam realize …show more content…
that they have a common goal and come together by telling stories while they braid each other’s hair. Finally, Mariam throws away her own life to save Laila’s by killing Rasheed when he is trying to kill Laila. After a careful examination of the research, Khaled Hosseini has indeed accurately reflected the true human experience by illustrating how women form bonds in the face of hardship in order to survive. When Laila and Mariam are first living together with Rasheed they don’t like each other. The first time they really decide to help each other is when Laila denies Rasheed what he wants and he blames Mariam for teaching her this. Rasheed decides to beat Mariam as punishment until Laila “[lunges] at him” in order to protect Mariam (Hosseini 241). Laila puts her own safety at risk by continuing to “[struggle] like this” even when he attempts to “shake her off” (Hosseini 241). Likewise, in today’s society women are putting themselves at risk in order to help give others a chance. One such woman is Google’s Diane Green, who, according to Julie Bort’s article on Business Insider, paused a large presentation that she was leading in order to point out the red ribbon she was wearing in support of International Women’s Day (Bort). Not only did she just wear red, Greene also went on to say that they “strive at Google Cloud to have an environment where no one needs to raise their hand, but no matter what, it’s completely safe to do that” (Bort). Greene said this in response to the fact that women still need to mention the fact that they are doing a good job to receive any recognition at all. Women, as a whole, have come to realize that to protect themselves and achieve what they want, they need to work together to achieve it. Although Greene may not have put herself directly into harm’s way the way Laila did to protect those she cared about, she still put herself out there to make sure everyone knew her thoughts and position on the issue even when it could affect her career. Along the same lines, women have found that in order to protect themselves they need to find someone they can confide in. For women, a major sign of trust is the ability to talk to one another and share things that they would generally keep to themselves. Laila and Mariam are able to find this trust in each even though they may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Shortly after Laila saves Mariam from Rasheed as talked about in the above paragraph, the two women realize that they have a common goal, and that goal to survive this marriage. After this realization, they begin to talk while braiding each other’s hair and “the moment [is] so natural, so effortless,” that Mariam begins to tell Laila about her life before she married Rasheed the (Hosseini 255). As the two of them keep talking “the words [come] like blood gushing from an artery” and for the first time they really begin to trust each other (Hosseini 255). Enough so, that Laila tells Mariam her biggest secret, that her daughter, Aziza, was conceived outside of wedlock. After this, Laila and Mariam tell each other everything because it is in both of their best interests to have trust in one another. This trust in women speaking to each other is shown for instance in an article written by Jean Friedman-Rudovsky in Cosmopolitan about women in Columbia struggling with domestic abuse. Friedman-Rudovsky writes about a woman named Isabel who, after experiencing abuse from her husband decides to take a stand and help other woman in situations where they feel that they do not have a voice (Friedman-Rudovsky). In the article Isabel talks about how the government is not supporting the women that need help because of other things that are going on like war. Isabel says that they “ are basically doing the work of the government” because if they “ don’t do it, no one else will” (Friedman-Rudovsky). Isabel’s main goal in her efforts is to give these struggling women a person to talk to that understands so that no has to feel alone. Having a person to talk to that is willing to listen is huge in helping someone realize that they aren’t alone and that there are people out there who are there for them. The trust Laila and Mariam have with each other is very similar to what these women in Columbia have. A person to share their secrets. Sisters that will listen to and fight for each other to keep each other safe. Similarly, women will do anything to help ensure a better future for those they care about and will fight for what is right.
Mariam and Laila grow to love each other as sisters throughout the many years that they are married to Rasheed, but the moment that Mariam shows exactly how much she has come to care for Laila is when she hits Rasheed with a shovel. As Rasheed is about to kill Laila, Mariam realizes that she “[can] not allow that to happen” even if it meant throwing the rest of her own life away (348). The moment that Mariam kills Rasheed everything that could have happened for her life disappears, but her one goal has been achieved. She has saved Laila and granted her the rest of life without Rasheed to hold her back and it occurs to Mariam “that this [is] the first time that she was deciding the course of her own life” (349). Having Laila around all these years as a friend has boosted her confidence more than anyone else has in her whole life. That’s what sisters do; they build each other up and protect each other with their lives. Likewise, Malala Yousafzai has fought in her country for years for right to a girl’s education. In a Washington Post article written by Michele Leiby it is cited that Malala said in an interview that it is her right and “it is the right of every child, to go to school” and that this right “should not be neglected” (Leiby). Leiby goes on to talk about the strength Malala has had since she was shot by the Taliban. Since that day she has delivered numerous addresses at the United Nations and at the World Bank, along with this she has written a book and has become the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (Leiby). The story of Malala and all that she has done in the name of education for girls truly shows the lengths to which women will go to ensure a bright future for other women. She almost lost her life fighting for a cause that she believes is one of the most important things in the world. Although Mariam is
only saving one life while Malala is saving thousands, the courage they both show when faced with impossible odds is incredible. Both of them have found something worth fighting for and have gone for it. These women are protecting other women and ensuring their futures with everything they have. They have formed bonds with the women around them that they will defend with their life. After thoroughly researching the topic, it is seen that Khaled Hosseini, in his novel A Thousand Splendid Suns did accurately portray the human experience through the idea that when faced with hardship, women form bonds in order to survive. In one example, Laila puts her own safety at risk when she is willing to step in the way of Rasheed to protect Mariam. Again, Laila and Mariam begin to trust each other as they share their stories while braiding each other’s hair. Finally, Mariam throws away her life by hitting Rasheed in the head in order to save Laila. The bonds women have formed over the course of history show how important they truly are. Women fight together for what is right. They stand together no matter what impossibilities they are faced with. In the future, women need to remember that they are stronger together and that when they stand united they can accomplish anything.
The systematic victimization of women by patriarchal societies is extremely prominent throughout the book “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, written by Khaled Hosseini. For example, Mariam has been victimized since birth with her father not being around, her not getting a proper education, she is outcasted by everyone around her. This patriarchal society allowed her to be married off to Rasheed at the age of 15. Another way this theme is displayed is through Laila. She was a young girl that was living a fantastic life but once her father and mother were killed she was taken in by Mariam and Rasheed, which then lead to her becoming a victim. Rasheed abused her mentally, and physically with no remorse. She had to abide by his
Women in America do not have to worry about a terrorist group coming and taking their rights away. They have a government that protects them from these groups and makes sure they have the same rights as others. In the Middle East, especially Afghanistan and Pakistan, women are scared to speak too loudly. These women live in fear each day of their lives because if they make one small mistake it could mean their life. Yet, there are some people who are fighting for women’s rights, especially women’s education. Malala Yousafzai is a girl who fought for women’s education. At the age of eleven, Malala began writing a blog for BBC Urdu. The blog described how she was upset that women’s education under the Taliban would be forced to stop. Malala also appeared on national television talking about women’s education. She has become a symbol of resistance against the Taliban. Even after Malala was put on the Taliban’s hit list, she continues to speak out about what she felt needed to be said. Malala would give her life for this cause, and she almost did. On October 9, 2012, Malala was on her way home from her morning classes when a man walked on to her bus and asked, “Who is Malala”. When she said it was her he shot her. The bullets hit her head and her leg. The Taliban ordered for her to be shot because she was promoting western culture in Pashtun areas. In another case Mukhtar Mai stood up for women’s rights and was sexually assaulted by multiple men with orders from the tribal council. The tradition in Mukhtar’s tribe was that a woman who is sexually assaulted by multiple men should kill herself, but instead of committing suicide she fought for her cause (Samira 28-30). Although the Taliban restricts women’s education for religious reaso...
Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. It is the very same “legacy of change” that Nelson Mandela used that inspires what Malala Yousafzai does today. At the age of 15, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating for girls’ education. Since this appalling incident, Malala has gone on to be the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, start the “Malala Fund”, that funds education in developing countries, and is currently the figure of women’s rights. Malala has been constantly speaking, advocating and helping women and children acquire the rights they deserve. In her powerful speech to the U.N, she opened the world’s eyes to the truth about education
Being shot in the face and seriously injured, did not stop Malala Yousafzai from pursuing her dreams. She did not morally agree with her government’s treatment of women, so she fought for her beliefs. Malala grew up in a rural village in Pakistan and was forced to follow customs she did not believe in. Swat Valley changed to a strictly ruled village with discrimination towards women. Malala created awareness around the world of the situation and stood up for her rights to education. Through Malala Yousafzai’s painful experience with growing up in a dangerous part of Pakistan, she created awareness in hope to regain the rights to educational opportunities for women.
Social and Gender inequality is a continuous battle women have been fighting for a long time. In the Middle East, particularly Afghanistan, there is a wider gap between the rights of males and females. Women in Afghanistan have consistently been treated as inferiors to men for thousands of years. In the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, author Khaled Hosseini does a remarkable job of portraying the hardships and difficulties of women in the late 20th to early 21th century. Hosseini stresses the issue of gender inequality through the characters of Mariam and Laila. Throughout the novel, recurring themes of social inequality point to the misogynistic society of Afghanistan and the Middle East.
The novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, is filled with pages of heart wrenching stories representing the roles of women in the Afghan community. Hosseini’s novel is a prime example of how literature portrays women and their role in society, specifically the Afghanistan society. The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns is an intense telling of gender roles that helps to uncover the ways in which women are painted in the literary world. Repetitive of what was just said, the women in Hosseini’s novel struggle to strengthen their individual self and fight for their human rights in a world dominated by men. This essay will aim to uncover how literature depicts gender specifically through education, societal expectations, and politics.
In Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, you read a story about two women named Mariam and Laila. They were brought jarringly together by war, loss and by fate. The novel extends over a period for 50 years and follows the upbringing of the two main characters. As a result of this, this essay will deal with Mariam and Mariam’s life through four years of rough marriage.
Khaled Hosseini wrote A Thousand Splendid Suns which is an account of life in Afghanistan during a time when there was a lot of violence in the country. Unfortunately, this violence was often carried into the houses of many families with women being the greatest victims. In the novel, Hosseini seeks to portray that although there are a lot of negative things going on in Afghanistan, not all Afghani people are defeated; some individuals manage to thrive and live life to the fullest. One of the most remarkable people who proves to be one in a thousand splendid suns is Mariam who is a child born out of wedlock. Her dad, Jalil sends Mariam’s mother, Nana away
These women have been so strong since birth gathering courage and strength to fully blossom. Hosseini went into depth in both of their lives showing the overcoming of loss, death, and societies menacing rules. The main cause of their struggle and problems was the idea of domination, that men were more stronger, intellectual, and powerful, and women should be kept aside like decorations or prizes. This issue is relevant to real world issues because the idea of domination is still an issue today. Many men and even some women still believe that women are inferior to men and this couldn't be farther from the truth.
Religion’s positive and negative effects on human’s lives have been present throughout history. They can cause people to experience pain, and obstacles throughout their lives; examples are Puritan and Muslim women. The troubling challenges that women face in the religion of Islam affect their everyday lives, and when the men around them misinterpret the Koran they can be thrown into terrible situations. Khaled Hosseini is able to convey a theme of endurance through pain and suffering in his book, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
“I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai is a beautiful and hard breaking book at the same time. This book is an autobiography that describes the author childhood and her support on the right for girls to have an education. Through this autobiography, Malala describes the restrictions that are imposed on females in her country. There are many that believe that woman of Pakistan should not be educated in the other hands there are a few that oppose this idea. Malala’s support on education for girls almost cost her life, since she was shot by the Taliban. From a multicultural perspective Malala’s story touches on topics such; culture shock, discrimination within your own culture, oppression, religion, family and woman’s right. Despite the opposition
Malala Yousafzai give a speech at the United Nations. The terrorist attack make her strong person although she is young. She did not give a speech for revenge, however, she finds that talking about the importance of receiving education for all people at the time of shot. Further, Malala has a pure heart so she can’t hate Taliban. She has learned to be peaceful to all people from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. And that what the religions asks people to be. She also talked about the importance of receiving education, and how educated people are stronger than uneducated people. That is the cause why Taliban against education. Malala pointed that peace and education are related to each other. Moreover, she presented that women and girls should be encouraged to receive education therefore they are the most individuals who suffering from inequality to be educated.
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.
Khaled Hosseini’s book, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” portrays how women are dehumanized. More specifically, this book portrays how Afghan men utilize, exploit, and avail their women.Afghan women are denied their rights. Men are considered higher than women by their gender role.The pressure they face to abide by societal norms strains their individual lives and relationships. The narrator uses the feminist lens to describe social constraints on women within the novel.
A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, examines the roles of women in culturally motivated Afghanistan. Hossieni explores the lives of two different women who both suffer under domineering cultural traditions, although their social backgrounds differ. Through the perspectives of both women, the audience experiences the extreme violence and sexism the women endure, and how disregard of gender equality under the totalitarian Taliban rule inhibits the development of Afghanistan.