TOPIC B

               Khaled Hosseini reveals a very degrading and condescending attitude of the Afgan people when exploring the issue of gender relations in the middle eastern country through examples of the literary elements of forshadowing and characterization in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Throughout the world in some places social injustice based on gender is heard off but definetly not a common thing or way of life, but in middle east and surrounding countries social injustice based on gender is apart of culture and tradition.  Nana states, " the role of women is to endure".  This quote not only gives readers insight into the mindframe of an average Afgan woman but also informs us of how society labeled women in Afgan.  Nana's words reveal to the reader that many of the women in Afgan have settled into a lifestyle where they don't try to break the barriers and make more out of themselves.  The women have accepted society's thought of how they should live their lives and their true purpose in the country.  Hosseini's use of characterization reveals Rasheed, Mariam's husband ,as a steroetyped or stock character because his actions and thoughts are that of a typical Afgan man.  Rasheed states to Mariam, "Well, then, as of tomorrow morning I expect you to start behaving as a wife...Is that understood?"(pg.65)  Rasheed comes across as a controlling man who wants things done his way and his way only.  The quote reveals that Rasheed expects Mariam to be a typical traditional wife who cooks, cleans,  and most importantly caters to his every need.  Rasheed also says to Mariam," But I'm a different breed of a man, Mariam.  Where I come from, one wrong look, one improper word, and blood is spilled.  Where I come from a womens face is her husband's business only.  I want you to remember that.  Do you understand?"(pg.70)  On top of him previously being revealed as a controlling man, it is now revealed that Rasheed is the alpha male, that he is assertive, agressesive and even violent.  However it is and was not just Rasheed who possess these character traits, it is and was the common characteristics of an Afgan man.  This quote also reveals some characteristics of not only Mariam but the other Afgan women because because after Rasheed stated his commands and requests Mariam didn't say anything.  She didn't stand up for herself, she just unquestionably summitted to her husband as most of the Afgan woman did and many still do today.  The message that one can take from the gender relations unveiled in the novel is that one is ultimately in charge of how they are treated because if one stands up and demands respect or refuses to be treated and talked to a certain way eventually your voice will be heard.

TOPIC C

              Mariam, one of the main characters in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, is at a constant battle with herself about her role in the tragic death of her mother and displays a very remorseful attitude when trying to accept the event because of the simple fact that she actually left home (her mother) and feels worse when she figures out that her mother was right all along about the true character of her father Jalil and about what her life would be like without her mother in it.  Nana states, "You think you're a daughter to him? That he's going to take you in? I'm the only one who loves you. I'm all you have in the world, Mariam, and when I'm gone you'll have nothing." (pg.27)  In the beginning of the novel Mariam acted as a know-it-all in the relationship between her and her mother.  She thought of her mother to be bitter and wrong about not only Jalil but about life especially hers and when talking to her mother she didn't take her words seriously.  Unfortuanetly, Mariam's life was turned upside down when Jalil agreed to enter her into an arrangged marriage where she would live far away him rather than allow her to stay with him.  After her mother's death Mariam was also hit with the harsh reality that in fact she had no one in her life but herself.  The event that really sparked the inner constant battle of emotions inside Mariam was when Mariam actually left her mother to visit her father because Nana clearly stated to Mariam, "I'll die if you go."(pg.27) but, Mariam still took off to Kabul anyway.   When  Mariam's mother really did die, it left a burden on Mariam because of the thought that the sole reason of her mother committing suicide was all her fault.  Mariam's acknowledgement and acceptance of her mother's death contributed to the work as a whole because from Mullah Faizullah she learned that "behind every trial and every sorrow that he make us shoulder, God has a reason."(pg. 38.)  Mariam was able to come to terms with herself and understand that the death of her mother happened for a reason and that it wasn't her fault.  The overall mesage that Khaled Hosseini wanted to reveal from all the hardships, trials and tribulations that Mariam faced throughout her life after her mother died, is that what dosen't kill you makes you stronger because Mariam was eventually able to overcome numerous obstacles presented to her throughout her life.