A Thousand Splendid Suns :: Literary Analysis, Nana, Mariam, Laila

The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns explores the plight of women in Afghanistan the heighten is put on three women Nana, Mariam and Laila. Women in Afghanistan often face onerous and pathetic situations. In this essay we will examine some of these unfortunate situations for women. Let us start with Nana Mariams mother. Nana gets pregnant and is thrown out of her catamenia home. The wives demanded he throw her out(Hosseini 6). Her father disowns her. Nanas own father, who was a humble stone carver in the nearby village of Gul Daman, disowned her. Disgraced, he packed his things, never to be seen or straind from again(6). She lives the rest of her vitality in a small hut while Mariams father lives in a mansion. And so, your father built us this rathole(9). She lives her life as a single mother. Her only chance of every getting married was washed-up by her having an attack. The wedding dress was stashed away. After that, there were no more suitors(10). Next let us examine Mari ams plight. She is denied the chance to go to school. Whats the experience schooling a girl like you? Its like shinning a spitspoon. She lives with a cruel mother. You are a heavy-handed little harami. This is my reward for everything Ive endured. An heirloom-breaking, clumsy little harmi(4). She has a neglectful father. Mariam kept thinking of his face in the upstairs window. He let her sleep on the street. On the street. Mariam cried delusion down(35). Her mother commits suicide and Mariam blames herself. You stop that. These thoughts are no good, Mariam jo. You hear me, child? No good. They will destroy you. It wasnt your fault. It wasnt your fault no. Mariam nodded, nevertheless as desperately as she takeed to she could not bring herself to think him(44). She is forced into marriage to a man she does not love. I dont want to, Mariam said. She looked at Jalil. I dont want this. Dont make me(47). She is sent to live in a strange city were she does not know anyone. She has a physically abusive husband. Then he was gone, leaving Mariam to spit out pebbles, blood, and the fragments of twain broken molars(104). Her husband is cruel and says hurtful words to her. She can not do anything right in his eyes. When he is not ignoring her he is creation verbally or physically abusive towards her.