Discussion Topic A

     In the novel "A Thousand Splendid Suns," author Khaled Hosseini confronts the physical and verbal abuse suffered by women in Afghanistan; using such literary devices as diction and conlict to portray the emotional and physical damage that results from such repeated abuse. Hosseini establishes a feeling of hopelessness as readers are presented with the abusive situations faced by the characters and their lack of ability to escape the oppression.
     The maltreatment of Mariam and Laila by their husband Rasheed is driven by an overbearing fear that he instills in them. Hosseini captures the potency of the ability of a man with total power to suppress and dominate those over whom he has control by describing, with detail, the instances of abuse. Notwithstanding the physical blows that Rasheed inflicts himself, first upon Mariam, and then upon both Mariam and Laila, " He snatched her hand, opened it, and dropped a handful of pebbles into it... Put these in your mouth... Now chew."(94) It would seem to readers that Rasheed's potential for abuse is boundless as he forces his wives to perform such painful acts. His lack of remorse and his incessant abuse instill a sense of superiority that is physicall and emotionally crippling to those over which he assumes control. Rasheed verbally abuses Laila by directly criticizing her purported inability to perform what he believes are one of her subordinate duties. He says to her "Now you know what you've given me in this marriage. Bad food, and nothing else." (94) The denouncement of her usefullness, and the dissapproval that Rasheed shows her is injurious to what little pride she may have retained after having underwent so much abuse. The exchange of dialogue between Rasheed and Mariam and Laila represents a Man v. Man conflict. The direct exchange of virulent language and physical blows between Rasheed and his wives is representative of the situation faced by almost all Afghani women as they struggle to gain small victories of freedom in a turbulent and oppressive world.
     The struggle to overcome abuse is stunted by the prevalence of a culture that condones the subordination of the female gender. Hosseini challenges readers to confront this realization by providing readers with examples of the violence and how it affects the morale and conception of women. He posits that even in the face of complete subjugation, hope and companionship can breed longevity and a better life.
  

Discussion Topic B

         In the novel "A Thousand Splendid Suns," author Khaled Hosseini demonstrates the triumph of the human spirit as he reveals the story of two women who grapple to survive in a world whose very laws and beliefs entail the oppression of women. Hosseini's utilization of intimate characterization coupled with the cultural expectations of the characters within the story explain the harsh reality with which the women in this novel are faced.

 The initial perception of the relationship between men and women in the novel are realized through the treatment of Mariam after her marriage to Rasheed. Her marriage to him represents her condemnation to servitude and submission. She describes the burqa he males her wear by explaining that “the padded headpiece felt tight and heavy on her skull, and it was strange seeing the world through a mesh screen…she did not like the suffocating way the pleated cloth kept pressing against her mouth.” (72)  This declaration by Rasheed ultimately symbolizes that Mariam’s new life is limited to Rasheed and Rasheed alone. The requirement of Mariam's burqa foreshadows Rasheed's selfish, protective nature, which will ultimately result in abuse. The position of women in Afghan society is so concrete and indelible as Nana, Mariam's mother, tells Mariam “Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finder always finds a woman.” (7) Women who do little more than cook, perform chores, and bear children, are use as scapegoats and held to a standard of living by men that forces them to become mindless and responsive individuals. The cultural expectations and norms that are the reality of Afghani women are embodied by the position and actions of Mariam and Laila and the other women who are forced to be held accountable by their gender.

The demonstration of the social poverty endured by these women is indicative of the degenerative values by which nations who are undeveloped and facing war, drought, disease and poverty live. Hosseini portrays the amazing power of will to disintegrate the barriers set in place by oppressive intent, and the ability of love and companionship to promote perseverance and hope.