A Thousand Splendid Suns Story free essay sample

A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini is a story of two young afghan women, Laila and Mariam, who face and overcome many tragedies and live in a country ruined by political oppression and war. Both Mariam and Laila have endured so much heartache partially because they are women, but yet have managed to have pull together the strength to persevere. To persevere is to maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement and continue consistently *make this the introduction scentence). Even though Mariam and Laila are years apart by age, and come from two different life styles, they are both forced to marry Rasheed , an older man who they dont(do not) know, in order to make a living for themselves. Mariam and Laila eventually learn to cooperate as they undergo Rasheeds emotional and physical abuse, and the rules set out for women in Afghanistan. Hosseini demonstrates through the perseverance of Mariam and Laila, how the inner strength of Afghan women allows them to endure difficult situations including forced marriages, lack of educational opportunities and Taliban restrictions. Marriage is the union of two people who love each other and wish to be in a committed partnership with one another. Marriage should not be forced on anyone who does not wish to be in a marriage (does not wish it), however; the women in the book, Mariam and Laila are both married off at a very young age to the same man, who is twice their age. In Mariams case, she was a burden to her family and so they just took the first offer for her. Rasheed is here, in Heart (Herat); he has come all the way from Kabul. The nikka will be tomorrow morning, and then there is a bus leaving for Kabul at noon (Hosseini 49). Mariam was not even consulted in whether or not she wanted to marry Rasheed, let alone she had never seen or met him before (not important). The other woman in the book, Laila, had no choice but to marry Rasheed. Laila had no body left to take care for her, all her friends and family had died or moved because of war. She had to think of her baby and to avoid the shame of being an unwed mother. Laila agreed to marry Rasheed, who was eager to have a young and attractive second wife. I am too old. Too old for you to do this to me. For you after all these years, to make me an ambagh(Hosseini 215). This was heart breaking for Mariam, for her husband to marry another woman, after she had spent her youth trying to be a good wife to him. I wouldnt have fed you and washed you and nursed you if Id known you were going to turn around and steal my husband (Hosseini 226). Mariam feels Laila is stealing her husband; she is upset and jealous of the new bride. Rasheed went as far as selling of his first wedding ring for a new and more expensive ring for Laila. Mariam and Laila are equally in the same situation in regards to being in a marriage with a man they both dont love, however However through the difficult condition they face on a daily basis from their abusive husband Rasheed. they overcome obstacles each day as their inner strength begins to grow and realize they deserve a better life, . nd With the support of one another, both women learn to persevere Rasheeds mistreatment and find a way to get out in the end even if its means to sacrifice their own lives. Education provides the opportunity to learn new things and expand or build knowledge. Education is a right, everyone has the right and should have the right to attend school. (dont need it). The book shows two stories about education that most women in Afghanistan go through. It is shown that Mariam was born to a poor background and was raised up by a bitter mother named Nana. Nana didnt let Mariam do anything because she was worried that she would lose her. Whats the sense schooling a girl like you? Its like shining a spittoon. And youll learn nothing of value in those schools (Hosseini 18). Mariam wanted to learn but Nana refused to give her an education; therefore, when Nana died, Mariam had no choice but to marry Rasheed. Laila on the other hand had a fairly normal more stable background and an encouraging father. I know youre still young, but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot. Youre a very, very bright girl (Hosseini 114). Lailas father believed in her and allowed her to continue her education, which allowed Laila to gain the confidence to stand up to her future husband, Rasheed. Its a good time to be a woman in Afghanistan. And you can take advantage of that Laila (Hosseini 121). (remove quote). Women in general were evolving in Afghanistan and, with education theyd finally rise but sadly unfortunately the Taliban and the opinions of some men have ruined the opportunity for education for the women of Afghanistan to . After the eath of Lailas parents, she had no better choice but to get married, leaving behind her bright future. If it wasnt for war and the political oppression going on in Afghanistan Laila could have done so much more with continued her education. Nonetheless, Laila does not allow the lack of education opportunities bring her down,. Instead she has a goal of making she makes it a goal Afghanistan a better place for women to live in, as wel l as having the determination to not let anything or anyone bring her down and continue to be the strong woman she always has been. The Taliban take over was a huge step back for Afghanistan and its blossoming age for women. At first, it was believed the Taliban were saviors for the Afghan people, a lot of people assumed they would solve the problem, people like Rasheed, Let them come, I, for one, will shower them with rose petals (Hosseini 275). The people had no idea what the Taliban were doing;, they fully supported it, till untill they the Taliban started to impose laws. Most of these laws were strictly towards women. You will stay inside your homes at all times. It is not proper for women to wander aimlessly about the streets. If you go outside, you must be accompanied by a mahram, a male relative. If you are caught alone on the street, you will be beaten and sent home (Hosseini 278). The laws imposed by the Taliban basically treats women like dogs and like dogs, women were not allowed to leave their homes to go for a walk without a male escort.. Laila was beaten on several occasions by the Taliban every week when she would go see her daughter, Aziza, at the orphanage because Rasheed refused to take her. Mariam had heard the announcement, in January of that year that men and women would be seen in different hospitals, that all females would be discharged from Kabuls hospitals and sent to work in one central faculty (Hosseini 284). The Taliban went as far as forcing women to one central hospital with limited doctors and supplies, which made child birth for many women to be a terrifying situation. Laila suffered an awful child birth environmen t; she had to get a casesarian without any anesthetics (sounds better than drugs). The Taliban ways were laws were cruel to women which led to the death of many afghan women. Mariam was stoned to death by the Taliban for killing her husband Rasheed. Mariam and Laila being begin to realize they are stronger than they ever gave themselves credit for thought, and even though they both were aware of the consequences it was important for both women to finally be free, and fight for their freedom fight for their freedom. Mariam who always feared Rasheed has found the strength within her herself to finally set herself as well as Lailas life free. Mariam overcame her fear, and although she was aware of the fact that she was to die, she knew that she finally persevered. Misogyny is the hatred, dislike or distrust of women. Afghanistan is a very misogynistic country, mainly because of the mentality of most men being influenced by the Taliban who are a Muslim fundamentalists group. A Thousand Splendid Suns shows the struggles that women such as Mariam and Laila go through on a daily basis. The laws imposed by the Taliban basically treats women like dogs and like dogs, women were not allowed to leave their homes to go for a walk without a male escort (add this example in conclusion instead of the third paragraph). The women were treated like animals in Afghanistan, and through the pain and heartache,. Mariam and Lailas perseverance has allowed then to endure forced marriages, lack of educational opportunities and Taliban restrictions. Hosseini portrayal of Mariam and Laila throughout the novel was a representation of women in Afghanistan and women in general possess the inner strength to conquer difficult situations and consistently fight to have the same rights and opportunities men are given. To persevere is to maintain purpose in spite of difficulty, and in the end of the novel, for Laila she lives in reasonable peace, freed from the scourge of virtually permanent suffering. [s][/s]