A Thousand Splendid Suns Culture

What if your dad lived in a different city then you, and you only were able to see him when he visited you once a week? That’s the life that Mariam lives in A Thousand Splendid Suns. Khaled Hosseini wrote this story in 2008 all about Afghan history, family, friendships, and faith. In this paper I will analyze the culture, characters, and themes the author pulled throughout the book. The culture in this book is extreme in its intensity. When the Taliban is put in charge, there are a many culturally specific rules forced upon the people. Women are not treated equally to men and are expected to stay home, help out with family and care for the household. Men are allowed to attend school and work outside of the home and forced to grow beards. Women are looked on as inferior to men and are prohibited from going anywhere alone “Her teeth rattled when she thought of the night, the tie Rasheed might at last decided to do to her what husbands did to their wives”(Hosseini, p.g.63). Islam is the religion of the Taliban, which everyone is expected to practice. There is no open practice of other religions and any books or artifacts, which
Ones feelings are not the most important in this culture, but rules and tradition is placed as more important even if it is at the expense of hurting someone, or even a person taking their life; as Mariams mom did when she feared that her culture would not accept the love she had for her daughter. Mariams and Laila’s indestructible love for each other and their friendship made this book truly inspirational” But, mostly, Mariam is in Laila’s own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns” (Hosseini, p.g. 414). They bonded through the struggles they both were faced with throughout their lives. They both showed courage and strength throughout the book, which lead to freedom for