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.