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.