Essay --

The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, is well written and a must read for teenagers across America. This novel mainly focuses on the treatment of women and the friendship of women in Afghanistan, and is relatable to many women, mainly in the Middle East. The book takes the reader through the tough lives of two women, Mariam and Laila. These two women have grown up in different environments and were treated very differently from each other. This book shows the unity and strength of two women who stand against their abusive husband and every obstacle they come face to face with. The book starts off in a poor village where Mariam lives with her mother, Nana. Her father, Jalil, is a very wealthy man from Herat who visits her once a week. Since Mariam was born, her mother has always called her names. Nana constantly told her she was a worthless bastard because her father had an affair with his servant, who was Nana at the time. After Nana found out she was pregnant, Jalil and his three wives kicked her out, as it would hurt their reputation. Since Mariam is a girl, no one saw any value in her. Mariam soon learns the truth after she sneaks off to her father’s house to meet him despite her mother’s wishes. At her father’s house she is told to go home as her father is away on a business trip. Mariam refuses to leave and is forced to sleep outside, poorly treated. In the morning, she goes to the yard and sees Jalil’s face in the window, shocked to understand her mother was right all along. When Mariam returns home to apologize to Nana, she finds her dead body hanging. After her mother’s death, Jalil and his three wives force fifteen year old Mariam to marry forty-five year old shoemaker, Rasheed. Years passed in their ma... ... much as its men. He was a teacher before the war so he taught Laila at home as well. Although Laila was educated and Mariam was not, the respect they both had for each other was equal. This novel has a very powerful message for men and women. One gender should not dominate over the other. Equality is important for stability in every relationship and every country. The importance of women should be recognized and this novel briefly shows the power of unity and strength. Men and woman both have different roles, and both should equally have their share in society. The novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a must read for everyone across the country and share the message. Many women in different countries do not have value and are living life in misery. Women’s rights are worth fighting for and Khaled Hosseini did a marvelous job with displaying this story to the readers.