A Thousand Splendid Suns: Q&A

Q&A

1. Hosseini has said that he wrote A Thousand Splendid Suns to focus on the experiences of women

As portrayed in the novel, women appear to be relatively free under King Zahir Shah and Daoud Khan. Jalils three wiv

Under the communist government in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan, women enjoy the most freedoms. Lailas father tells
After the Mujahedeen take over and establish an Islamic state in 1992, there are increased laws limiting the freedom of

Following the Taliban takeover in 1996, womens rights are the most severely restricted. Women are now required to st

2. Compare and contrast Laila and Mariam. How do the two women go from being enemies to close f

Mariam and Laila are quite different in some respects. Mariam is rather homely, while Laila is a stunning beauty. Maria

Notwithstanding their differences and the circumstances that bring them together as a family, the two women are destin

Broken down by years of abuse in her marriage, Mariam has learned not to stand up for herself. Laila, on the other hand

Laila finds Mariam to be the dependable mother figure she lacked growing up. Mariam teaches Laila to cook, clean fish

3. Discuss the following quote from Nana: Like a compass needle that always points north, a mans

Although Nanas quote may at first seem an exaggeration, Mariam finds her mother was right that men tend to blame w

After Rasheed marries his second wife, Laila, he blames Laila for giving birth to a girl. When she withholds sex from h

The government under the Mujahedeen and Taliban institutionalize this blaming behaviour. For instance, women are bl

4. Explain why Mariam is willing to face punishment for the killing of Rasheed. Was her execution at

Readers may find it hard to understand why Mariam would stay and face the justice of the Taliban for the killing of Ras

Mariam faces her punishment knowingly. She does not protest, although she knows she is not really to blame. Her deat

It may seem a bit of a contradiction that Mariam prays to Allah at her execution, since the execution is done under Islam

5. Discuss the character of Rasheed, contrasting him with other men in the novel, such as Hakim, Ja

Rasheed is an example of the worst of a patriarchal society. A misogynistic bully, he requires his wives to wear burqa an
Jalil provides the first foil (a foil is a contrast) for Rasheed. Good-looking and charming, he teaches his daughter about

Hakim provides a second foil for Rasheed. An educated and liberal-minded man, Hakim desires an education for his on

Finally, Rasheeds relationship with Laila contrasts with the relationship between Tariq and Laila. Tariq is unselfish; he

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