c. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes or values of a character. Select a character from A Thousand Splendid Suns who must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Analyze how the character’s relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.


    Later in the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini another character was introduced named Laila. Laila was a hopeful girl filled with inspiration in having a great future due to her father’s motivation. After a series of unfortunate events she was also forced to marry Rasheed. She was well aware of “the sacrifices a mother had to make”(219), because marrying Rasheed was the only way to survive. Soon into her marriage, Laila is doing chores like,“sweeping the house, scrubbing the pumpkin-colored walls of the bedroom…washing clothes” (231) instead of planning her future like she did before. This forced transition changed Laila as a person; she lost sight of her dreams and can now only see a dark road. Hosseini demonstrates that when one loses one’s dreams, they would find everything else worthless. When you find broken dreams, you will find a broken man

b. Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Analyze how Hosseini uses literary elements to explore the issue of gender relations. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.

         Gender is often seen as a controversial subject when involved with the topic of power. Throughout history, we see different way many people value gender difference. Many believe that men should have all the power and many believe that all people should have equal power.  Khaled Hosseini develops the recurring motif of gender relations in the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns through the use of diction and how it can create struggles in many relationships. In the novel Hosseini’s main character, Mariam was force to marry the antagonist, Raheed. The marriage of Mariam and Rasheed was a prime example of gender discrimination.  Rasheed often physical y abused Mariam but he also abused her verbally in order to take control over her. For example, after Rasheed married Laila, he would obnoxiously compare his two wives. He describes Mariam as a “Volga” and Laila as a “brand-new, first-class, shiny Benz” (222). This use of diction shows how wives can be compared to be mere objects. Discrimination is developed and created self-abasement among the women.  Mariam is forced to conquer these trials and must learn that life is unfair and you must keep living.