Part 2 describes the early life of Laila, who was born in Kabul in the late 1970's. The lives of the two women intersect in Part 3. In Pakistan, Tariq and Laila marry and finally begin the life they dreamed of so many years ago. Rasheed puts Laila on a pedestal and makes fun of Mariam in order to impress Laila. Mariam gets pregnant seven times but loses the baby each time due to a health complication. [11], Hosseini disclosed that in some ways, A Thousand Splendid Suns was more difficult to write than his first novel, The Kite Runner. In the stories Jalil shares with his daughter at the beginning of the novel, there is a sense of Afghan's place in the ancient Persian Empire and its sharing in the rich heritage of Persian poetry, art, and literature. He prayed for a boy and held Laila in even higher esteem. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Despite the loss of Lailas close friend, Lailas story also ends on a note of hope. [7] During its first week on sale, it sold over one million copies. Tariq and Laila visit together over the next few days, and Tariq describes his past. The Question and Answer section for A Thousand Splendid Suns is a great A Thousand Splendid Suns was released on May 22, 2007,[2] and received favorable widespread critical acclaim from Kirkus Reviews,[3] Publishers Weekly,[4] Library Journal,[5] and Booklist,[6] and became a number one New York Times Best Seller for fifteen weeks following its release. The falling action shows that Laila has achieved her dream of living with Tariq, but this life has cost her gravely. For a woman who has been treated unfairly her entire life and who has come to accept it as just her lot in life, Mariams actions serve as a poignant example of character evolution. Part One is entirely told through Mariams point of view, and Part Two is told through Lailas. The way the content is organized. When they attempt to run away, they are discovered and returned home, where Rasheed punishes them brutally. I remember watching them walking in pairs up the street, trailed by their children in ragged clothes, and wondering how life had brought them to that pointI spoke to many of those women in Kabul. She meets with the son of a kindly mullah who taught Mariam, who gives her a box Jalil had entrusted to the family to care for and give to Mariam should she return to Herat. Though no one woman that I met in Kabul inspired either Laila or Mariam, their voices, faces, and their incredible stories of survival were always with me, and a good part of my inspiration for this novel came from their collective spirit. With a shovel, Mariam kills Rasheed. At first Rasheed treats Mariam decently, but after she suffers miscarriage after miscarriage, he abuses her both physically and verbally. This tragedy introduces the other major conflict in the novel: the political unrest and violence in Afghanistan. A few years later, war reaches Kabul and bombs fall on the city regularly. Mariam, a young girl in the 1960s, grows up outside Herat, a small city in Afghanistan. A Thousand Splendid Suns Analysis. She tells Laila and Tariq to leave with Aziza and Zalmai, and confesses to the Taliban to killing Rasheed, for which she is publicly executed. You can view our. Advertisement - Guide . and any corresponding bookmarks? [9], The title of the book comes from a line in Josephine Davis' translation of the poem "Kabul", by the 17th-century Iranian poet Saib Tabrizi:[10], Hosseini explained "I was searching for English translations of poems about Kabul, for use in a scene where a character bemoans leaving his beloved city, when I found this particular verse. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Jalil visits Mariam once a week, telling stories and bringing gifts. Laila is also informed that Tariq and his family died in a bomb blast on their way to Pakistan. All the major characters, except perhaps for Amir's wife Soraya, were men. A Thousand Splendid Suns Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 1 Summary Mariam, an Afghani woman, remembers her mother calling her a harami when she was five years old although it is many years later before she learns the word means "bastard child." She also could not look at Zalmai every day knowing she had killed his father. Over time, Rasheed becomes verbally and physically abusive. Here's where you'll find important quotes from A Thousand Splendid Suns and explanations of them. Contact us Aziza is put into an orphanage so that she can be fed. "[1], "I hope the book offers emotional subtext to the image of the burqa-clad woman walking down a dusty street in Kabul. Laila, born a generation later, lives a relatively privileged life, but her life intersects with Mariam's when a similar tragedy forces her to accept a marriage proposal from Mariam's husband. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. But Laila has a baby girl, Aziza, and Rasheed feels disgusted by the smells and sounds that fill the house. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! The loss of the protective dragon suggests that Mariam and Nana will have to deal unforeseen hardships. It is co-produced by the American Conservatory Theater and Theatre Calgary. They never see Mariam again. Removing #book# TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. (including. Wed love to have you back! The first theatrical adaptation of the novel premiered in San Francisco, California, on February 1, 2017. Each character develops as a result of her interaction with the other woman, and the two become great allies. Jalil impregnates Nana, and she and Mariam live in a kolba (small cottage) outside of the town. She makes her wishes known by asking Jalil to take her to see Pinocchio for her fifteenth birthday. Laila and Tariq leave Afghanistan and move to Murree, Pakistan, where they get married. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. In 1978, there is a Communist counter-coup, and the Soviet Union invades in 1979. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. As Tariq tells Laila that he and his family are fleeing to Pakistan, the couples makes love for the first time, quickly and passionately. He threatens to kill the three if they attempt to run away again. Rasheed searches for work elsewhere but has trouble. Steven Zaillian finished writing the first draft of the screenplay in 2009[31] and was also slated to direct; Scott Rudin had signed on as a producer. Soon after the Talibanwith its rigid, misogynist lawscomes to power, Laila finds that she is pregnant again, this time with Rasheeds child. Jalil agrees to do so, but he does not come at the expected time. Available
Continue to start your free trial. One day a messenger visits to tell Laila the devastating news that Tariq is dead. More books than SparkNotes. She is a harami, a bastard, born to a rich father, Jalil, and a poor mother, Nana. Although Kabul is a modernizing city, where women have greater liberties of expression, Rasheed proclaims himself of a traditional mindset and asks that Mariam wears a burqa. The story of A Thousand Splendid Suns revolves around the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila. When Rasheed finds out that Tariq has come home, he brutally beats Laila. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a 2007 novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini, following the huge success of his bestselling 2003 debut The Kite Runner. Hosseini attempts to anchor the reader in this complex history, by showing how specific historical eventsthe departure of the Soviets from Kabul, for instance, or the arrival of the Talibanimpacts the lives of the characters. Jalil then arranges for Mariam to marry Rasheed, the antagonist who will provide much of the conflict of the novel. Other words, such as kolba and jinn are left for the reader to determine via contextual clues. Tariq and Laila spend the afternoon together while Rasheed is at work. "[18], A Thousand Splendid Suns received significant praise from reviewers, with Publishers Weekly calling it "a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan"[4] and USA Today describing the prose as "achingly beautiful". In this novel, both religious and political dimensions of the afghan society is depicted. When Afghanistan enters civil war and Kabul is bombarded by rocket attacks, Tariq's family decide to leave the city, and Laila and Tariq have sex prior to his departure. "[25], Jennifer Reese from Entertainment Weekly dubbed Rasheed "one of the most repulsive males in recent literature". Mariam's loving nature is challenged by Nana, who yells at the five-year-old and calls her a bastard when she accidentally breaks a favorite sugar bowl. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Laila has returned to Kabul with Tariq and the children and is working to improve the city by teaching at the orphanage. The violence continues to escalate as Lailas life becomes more complicated. Poetry Slam Hosseinis favorite book of all time is the collected Poets of Hafez, a revered Persian poet, which he originally read as a schoolboy in Kabul. [34], An opera adaptation of the novel, composed by Sheila Silver, was commissioned by Seattle Opera and premiered on February 25, 2023.[35][36]. publication in traditional print. on 50-99 accounts. Do tie this specifically to this text as well. What is the motive of Jalils wives in finding a suitor for Mariam Why does Jalil go along with them in this plan? [23] Natasha Walter from The Guardian wrote, "Hosseini is skilled at telling a certain kind of story, in which events that may seem unbearable - violence, misery and abuse - are made readable. Mariam tries to reach Jalil for help, but she finds that he is dead. . When Rasheed returns home from work, Zalmai informs Rasheed that Laila had a male visitor. date the date you are citing the material. Tariq and Laila have sex before he leaves, a choice that creates lasting consequences. The life Laila wants is already being pulled away from her by her removal from school and with the news that Tariq is leaving Kabul due to the mounting violence. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Free trial is available to new customers only. She protests, but he does not care. It is Hosseini's second novel, following his bestselling debut, The Kite Runner. Mariam is most changed by her relationship with Laila, as watching the younger woman teaches Mariam to stand up for herself, as highlighted in the scene where she saves Lailas life. A visit to the Bamiyan Buddhas reveals Lailas desire to live a happy life in her homeland. Sometimes it can end up there. date the date you are citing the material. Sometimes it can end up there. Renews April 24, 2023 Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. During a drought, Rasheed's workshop burns down, and he is forced to take other jobs. Rasheed escorts Mariam, Laila, and Zalmai to visit Aziza, but their visits become less and less frequent. Mariam asks Laila if she would accept Rasheeds hand in marriage, and Laila answers at onceyesshe is pregnant and wants Rasheed to think that the baby is his. She thinks of herself as a person of consequence at last, and it is particularly significant that this woman who had been taught merely to endure and developed such a low sense of self-worth views herself through this lens by the novels end. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Upon returning to her home, Mariam finds her mother has hanged herself. At first, Rasheed tries to convince Mariam that it'll be good for their reputation it is not proper for a young unmarried woman to stay with them. . By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. As Mariam grows older, she learns her father has three wives and nine legitimate children. Now, though, he finds English the most natural language in which to write. Rasheed finds a job at a hotel and can sustain the family again. When Laila gives birth to Aziza, who is actually Tariqs daughter, Rasheed acts much more cruelly to Laila for giving him a daughter rather than a son. While Mariam grows up in rural Herat and lives in a small hut, Laila lives in Kabul, a more progressive city center. His family later moved to Paris for his fathers work, and they were there when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. While Chapter 1 is brief, it provides us with important background information about three main characters and establishes symbolism as a means of foreshadowing. Laila awakens in Rasheed's and Mariam's house. After becoming a bestselling author with the publication of. Laila, Tariq, Aziza, and Zalmai move into a townhouse in Kabul. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. The next morning, Jalil's chauffeur drives Mariam home where she finds that her mother has committed suicide. A few years later, Laila gives birth to a son, Zalmai. United by their love for Aziza and their distaste Rasheed, Laila and Mariam form a powerful bond. Soon after the birth, Rasheed demands that Laila have sex with him. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. She recognizes the sacrifice Mariam made and honors her memory by stating that she will name her unborn child after her if she is a girl. Tariq tells her that he must leave Kabul with his ailing parents, and he and Laila become physically intimate just before his departure. Rasheed beats Laila and tries to suffocate her. After the fall of the Taliban, they decide to return to Kabul to be present for the rebuilding of Afghan society. However, when they are caught and sent back, Rasheed responds by locking them away and refusing them basic necessities like water. [17] A Riverhead Trades Weekly review states that the novel consistently shows the "patriarchal despotism where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status. A Thousand Splendid Suns study guide contains a biography of Khaled Hosseini, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. eNotes.com $24.99 When she gives birth to a daughter, Aziza, Rasheed rejects them due to her being a girl. The family return to Kabul and use the money to repair the orphanage Aziza had stayed in, and Laila works there as a teacher. Who is misogynistic and who isn't misogynistic in A Thousand Splendid Suns? Jalil has multiple legitimate wives and children, but Mariam is an illegitimate "harami" or bastard. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Marrying Rasheed in haste, Laila attempts to pass off the child as his own. Mariam, an illegitimate teenager from Herat, is forced to marry a shoemaker from Kabul after a family tragedy. -Graham S. The novel takes place over approximately forty years, from the early 1970s, when Mariam is a teenager, to 2003, when Laila is settled once again in Kabul with her family. After Nana's funeral, Jalil takes Mariam in, but she no longer adores him. Hosseini brings his novel full circle by having Laila visit Mariams childhood kolba and bear witness to how far Mariam came to leave such a strong mark on Laila and her family. 2023