Rohan Shah
Modern Literature 1
21 April 2011
Thousand Splendid Suns summaries and analysis
Chapter 1-5 Summary
The book starts out with Mariam, nine year old girl, knocks over her mother’s Chinese
tea set, and she calls her a harami, a bastard. Mariam’s father Jalil had three wives and
nine children. He owns a theater and a store in Herat, Afghanistan. Nana, Mariam’s
mother, did not like Jalil because he did not live with them, and he left them in a small
mud house in Gul Daman near Herat. Bibijo was a friend of Nana, and she would come
to Nana’s mud home and talk gossip with her. Mullah Farizullah was Mariam’s Quran
tutor and taught her prayers in Quran. One day Nana got made at Mullah Farizullah for
supporting Mariam to go to school. Nana had always thought that Women have no role in
Afghanistan. Mariam loved Jalil; Jalil would come to Mariam’s home to see her and
bring her chocolates. He would tell stories to Mariam, buy her new cloths, and also buy
whatever she wanted. They would go fishing every Thursday. One Mariam had asked
Jalil that if she could go to the theater in Heart, and Jalil did not say anything for two
minutes. But then he said that he would take her there the next day, and it was also her
birthday. Nana was not happy about it, and she told Mariam that if she went to his house
then she will die, and she will never see him again. But Mariam thought Nana was just
joking and she decided to go with Jalil. But the next day, Jalil never showed hp. So
Mariam decided to walk to Jalil’s home in Heart which was two miles away. She asked
the vendor where Jalil lived because she did not know. And after about three hours she
found Jalil’s house. She described it big, nice and something she had never seen in her
life. When Mariam rung the bell no one came outside. Finally, Jalil’s servant showed up
and told her that he was not in the home. And he would not let her come in because they
did not know about her. Jalil had never told his other two wives that he had a kid in Gul
Daman. Mariam slept outside of Jalil’s home for the night. And in the morning the
servant told that Jalil was not in the house and that she should go back home. But she
refused and the serfant dragged her to his car and dropped her at her Kolba (Mariam’s
mud home).
Analysis:
Nana calling Mariam calling a “Harami” expresses the issues between Jalil and Nana and
that she thought that Mariam was a mistake. Mariam refers to the word Harami
throughout the book and feels that she was the reason why Nana had died. Mullah
Farizullah taught Mariam verses from the Quran every sundy. Nana was made at Mullah
Farizullah because he encouraged Mariam to get education. Mariam will pass on this
teaching to Laila’s daughter, Aziza. She was mad because in Afghanistan she felt like
women did not have any rights or freedom, all they did was work and took care of their
children at home. She felt that education was not going to help Mariam because when she
will marry, she would not able to do any of things that she had dreamed about.
Chapter 6-10 Summary
Mariam cried for hours and she found that Nana had hung her self up. She felt alone, lost
and did not know what to do. Now she was by her self. Mariam felt that she was the
reason why Nana died. Then, Mariam moved to Jalil’s home. All she saw in Jalil’s home
was servants coming in and out of his home. She talked to no one and at by her self. After
some day Bibi jo, Nan’s friend, came to meet Mariam and the same day Mullah Faizullah
came to meet Mariam and wished her a happy life. After some day, Mariam felt that no
one liked her. After two months, Jalil had decided to marry Mariam without her
permission. At the age of fifteen, Mariam married Rasheed who was forty years old.
Rasheed was a shoe maker in Kabul and had his own store. Nargis and Khadija, Jalil’s
two other wife’s, supported this marriage because they wanted Mariam out of their home.
The next day Mariam married to Rasheed, and they prepare to go to Kabul. Mariam felt
ashamed that Jalil was her father. Jalil also felt sorry for her inside his heart. Mariam sat
next to Rasheed throughout the bus ride and felt uncomfortable. Rasheed tried to make
awkward had contact with Mariam but she would never let him do that. After about three
hours of ride they finally reached Rasheed home. Everyone said bye to each other and
Mariam never said bye to Jalil. May be that was the last time she will ever talk or see
him. On his way back home Jalil had tears in his eye and felt guilty for what he had done
to his own daughter Mariam. And for the first time Mariam meets someone new Fariba,
her neighbor.
Analysis:
Once Nana is dead, Mariam was given comfort at Jalil’s home. For the first time, she gets
to go in her father’s home. But Mariam was married to someone she did not know. She
was forced to marry a forty years old guy. Almost most of the women in Afghanistan are
forced to marry at a young age to someone they have no idea about. Jalil sends her to a
completely new city which she has no idea. Even though Jalil sends Mariam to a strange
place, he does feel regret about what he did. After days, Mariam was forced to wear a
burqa that would cover her whole face and steal her identity. Now Rasheed is the only
one that knows about Mariam. In the market, Mariam meets Fariba and this meeting
symbolic because Rasheed will marry Fariba’s daughter Laila.
Chapter 11-15
When Mariam enters Rasheed’s home she felt uncomfortable. Mariam had never seen a
big house like Rasheed’s. For the first few months, Mariam barely talked to Rasheed.
Mariam made rice and lamb curry for him when he got home from work. Rasheed tried to
impress Mariam by bringing new clothes and toys for her. Then, as time passed by,
Mariam and Rasheed were having a good time in Kabul. Rasheed took Mariam around
Kabul and showed her the Kabul University, the restaurants and etc. Mariam ate her first
ice cream cone in Kabul. Rasheed made sure that Mariam wore a burqa and by wearing it
Mariam felt exhausted. As they were getting along with each other, Rasheed tried to
made sexual contact with Mariam. But Mariam said that it is bad and she is not old
enough for it. Rasheed’s business was not going well, and he would always come home
angry. Rasheed used to love Mariam’s food; all of the sudden hated it. He would always
find some kind of mistake in her cooking. One day, he said that there was too much salt
in the rice or the food is cold. He would throw dishes away and was getting abusive on
Mariam. Sometimes he will literally bit her up. He would slam his bedroom and would
not talk to Mariam for weeks. One day, Mariam was cleaning the home and she went into
Rasheed’s room for the first time, even though she was not suppose to Mariam looked
into Rasheed’s drawer. She found photos of naked women, and Mariam felt betrayed by
her own husband. Fariba gave birth to Aziza in the last chapter.
Analysis:
Mariam was fascinated when she traveled through Kabul because she had never seen the
world out of her Kolba. She was surprised by all the makeup that she saw in Kabul.
Mariam ate her first ice cream, and she was excited about that. Mariam was forced to
have sex at fifteen years of age. That is what Afghani women have to face when they are
married early. But unfortunately, Mariam’s infertility made Rasheed angry and from that
day on he was not same anymore. Mariam was angry when she saw the photos, she felt
betrayed, mad, and being let down and just unfortunate that she married Rasheed, but
there was nothing she could do.
Chapter 16-20
Part II of the book starts now. It talks about a nine year old girl Laila. Her parents Hakim
and Fariba occasionally get into fight with each other. Laila lived by Tariq, and she very
much like him. Whenever Tariq was not around Laila, Laila felt alone and that no was
there to talk to her. For one week, Tariq had gone to south Afhanistan to visit his uncle.
Laila could not focus on her school and found nothing exciting. The kids in the streets
use to tease Laila and whenever Tariq would know about them, they would stop their
activities. Laila loved to eat at Tariq’s house because they always at together and they
respected her. At Laila’s home they never at together and Laila did not like that.
Mammy’s mother was sick after that she never talked to anyone and felt lonely. One
time, Laila and Tariq were in an alley and Tariq kissed her and Laila knew from that
moment on, she was going to marry him.
Analysis:
The rising relationship between Tariq and Laila is significant because this relationship
would save Laila at the end. But Laila’s father Hakim did supported education and no
male during that time period would say that. All those non believers belied in men rule
and did not any involvement from the women. Mariam’s life was totally different than
Laila’s, and the author is trying to give us an idea of growing up into big city unlike in
small town. And also reader gets to understand the how Mariam and Laila were different
from each other.
Chapter 21-25
The fighting between the Pushtans and the Hazara’s had began. Every part of
Afghanistan had been divided, and the owner was called a warlord. Pushtans were killing
the Hazara’s and the Hazara’s were rapping Pushtans girls. And also the Mujahedeen’s
were fighting the soviet army. Laila’s best friend Gabi had been killed by a rocket. There
was no in the street and everyone would stay in their homes. The shops were closed now
and home gets struck by rockets. Because of this ongoing fight, people had moved to
Pakistan. They did not need any visa to cross the Pakistan border and sometimes it was
not safe at all to go into Pakistan. But Fariba was determined to live in Afghanistan and
die on her motherland. She wanted to see Afghanistan freed from evil. Tariq’s family had
decided to move to Pakistan and live a safer life. When Laila heard this, she was so
happy that she will get to live with Tariq’s family. But Laila realized that she cannot let
her parents live alone. She had to help them and provide for them. Laila felt alone when
Tariq left. After six months, Laila’s family decided to move the Pakistan as well. But the
day before, there home was struck by a rocket.
Analysis:
Fariba does not want to leave Afghanistan even though the intense fighting that is going
on. This shows how much she loves Afghanistan and how much she wanted to stay there.
Tariq’s family is for Pakistan to be free of the fighting and live in a quite peaceful
environment. They offered Laila to come with her but she cannot leave her own father
behind all this mess. She had to help him and provide for him. And this marks the
begging of two sorrowing lives leaving without each other. The war has ruined so many
lives and separated so many. It left many dead, hopeless and others to wonder they will
see their motherland free of fighting that were going on.
Chapter 26-30
Laila was taken care in by Rasheed and Mariam. Laila found that the rocket attack killed
her mom and dad. Laila was feeling ashamed and guilty about having sexual relationships
with Tariq. Rasheed and Mariam took care of Laila for three months. Abdul Sharif, a
businessman in Pakistan, came to Raheed’s home to give Laila message about Tariq. He
told Laila that Tariq’s bus was struck by a rocket and Tariq lost both of his legs and a ram
and his parents died. Laila felt sorry for Tariq and cried for two days. Part III of the book
starts now. Rasheed wanted to marry Laila. Rasheed was so nice to Laila that he said that
his home is now her home. He bought her new toys and new clothes. Mariam though that
Laila was stealing Rasheed away from her. Rasheed would flatter Laila and try to trick
her. He felt that that was the only way he could get her. On the other side, Rasheed hated
Mariam. Rasheed though that Mariam was not worth it and treated her like a servant.
Now Laila was a part of Rasheed’s family.
Analysis:
Laila feeling guilty about having sexual relationship with Tariq shows what she was
going through at the time. Laila’s encounter also shows how Mariam had been changed
over the years. Mariam was hardened by the beat down, and emotionless by Rasheed.
There are two totally different women trying to live with each other. Laila was devastated
by the news that she heard from the businessman and also that her parents died because
of the rocket attack on her home. She was broke. But Laila felt blessed by giving birth to
Aziza and reminded her of Tariq. It gave her hope that there is someone that she knows
and that her own. And on the other side the rough relationship of Rasheed and Mariam
continued on.
Chapter 31-35
Rasheed was now Sixty years old. The fighting in Kabul was increasing as days passed
by. Laila was now pregnant at the age of fifteen. Rasheed wanted a boy, and he would
pray that to go every day. But Laila gave birth to a beautiful baby Aziza. After months
passed Rasheed was acting like Aziza was not her daughter. He never called her by her
name and always would refer to as “a thing”. And he was getting tired of her. Rasheed
now would beat Laila up because she was not listening to him or was acting like a child.
When Rasheed was sleeping, Laila would steal couple of Afghani money. Laila had a
plan for herself and for Aziza, which was to leave Kabul and go to Peshawar to live with
Tariq. But now, Rasheed was staying at home at all the time because of the fighting going
on. Mariam and Laila cannot live without each other, and they were forming a bond.
Mariam now spend most of her time making food and playing with littler Aziza. Aziza
never got love from his father, but Mariam provided the real love that she needed.
Analysis:
The usual fights between Mariam and Laila were thought to bring them together
eventually and get to know each other eventually. Mariam still think that Laila stole her
husband. This shows that Mariam still had respect for Rasheed even though he would
beat her down every day. Usually beat down of both Laila and Mariam brought them
together and shows how they both could share their grief with each other. The fighting
going on has major impact and every family in Kabul and makes everyone afraid and
hopeless.
Chapter 36-40
Laila, Aziza and Mariam tried to flee to Peshawar while Rasheed was sleeping. And as
they were getting on the bus, the police stopped them. They were taken into custody and
the police questioned them. After two hours of inquiry, Laila and Mariam were taken to
their home. Rasheed was waiting on the door for them; Rasheed took Mariam and
dragged her into the home. He hit her with his leather belt over and over again until she
said stop. He also slapped Laila several times. In September 1996 the Taliban arrived and
the years of fighting ended. But the days ahead will be tougher than the Afghanis have
ever faced. Taliban had imposed strict and brutal rules on the people. No women can go
out by their self, if she does she will have to cover her whole body. No music, poetry,
paintings, films and etc. Laila was pregnant again and gave birth to Zalmai. Rasheed was
so happy that he bought Zalmai games, TV, toys and things that he never bought Aziza.
Only Zalmai can touch the touch the tv, Aziza was not allowed to. Zalmai and Rasheed
had made a bound that Zalmai would not eat without Rasheed and Rasheed would not go
to sleep without Zalmai. Laila was made at Rasheed because she did not want Zalmai to
be like his father. She wanted her son to be like Tariq.
Analysis:
The escape of Laila and Mariam shows their strength, how much they care about their
freedom. But they were arrested and had to face brutal consequences. Every one cheers
the Taliban when they come to Kabul thinking that they will end the intense fight and
bring stability to Afghanistan. But the Taliban’s strict rules basically paralyzed every
woman in Afghanistan and gave more power men. Now Rasheed could have all the
power he wanted on both Mariam and Laila. Rasheed love towards Zalmai and bringing
him new toys everyday and putting Aziza to an orphanage shows how selfish he was.
Laila felt the pain and grief a mother would when she would be sending her own daughter
to a orphanage even though she had a home.
Chapter 41-45
Rasheed’s store is now closed because Taliban thought that it was not necessary. Because
he had no job, Rasheed sold almost everything that was in their home. They barely had
any food to survive and most of the days they did not eat anything. Rasheed decided to
send Aziza to a orphanage so he would have less people to take care of. Laila felt guilty
but she had to do it. Aziza questioned Laila many times why she had to go to a
orphanage. Laila told Aziza that she was there for a short time, and she will visit her
every week. One day, Tariq came to Rasheed’s house and visited Laila. He talked about
his life in Pakistan. He told her that he was working in a motel and had a goat named
Aloyna. Tariq was happy to know that Laila was married and had two children. Then he
walked away with tears in his eyes. When Rasheed and Zalmai were eating, Zalmai told
Rasheed about a man who met Laila today. Rasheed flipped out of his chair dragged
Laila. Mariam forced Zalmai into his room, so he could not see the beating. Rasheed was
beating and slapping Laila. All of the sudden out of nowhere Mariam came with a shovel
and hit Rasheed as hard as she could. Rasheed was unconscious and finally dead. Both
felt guilty but as the same time relieved. Years of frustration were finally over.
Analysis:
Rasheed love towards Zalmai and bringing him new toys everyday and putting Aziza to
an orphanage shows how selfish he was. Laila felt the pain and grief a mother would
when she would be sending her own daughter to a orphanage even though she had a
home. Tariq coming back showed Laila a light and hope. Her love for Tariq even grew
more. Tariq was hurt from inside because Laila was married and his love for Laila was
still the same as it was years ago. Mariam anger finally pulled off killing Rasheed and
ending the years of frustration, beating and unfairness.
Chapter 46-51
Laila thought that Mariam and herself were going to get executed for killing Rasheed.
Laila did not want Zalmai to know that his dad was killing by her aunt. Mariam and Laila
dragged Rasheed’s body to the back yard and hide it hind a work bench. But Mariam had
a plan for Laila, Zalmai and Aziza. Mariam said that they all must leave as soon as they
can. And she tells Laila to keep her head down and walk as fast she could. So, Laila says
bye to Mariam for the last time and she will never she her again. As Laila was going to
the bus stop she picks Aziza from the orphanage and thanks the owner for doing her a
favor. Zalmai questions Laila many times but Laila says that Rasheed has gone on a trip.
Mariam was found guilty of killing Rasheed was executed at Ghazi stadium for not
following the rules of Taliban and killing her own husband. Mariam’s disappointed life
ends in a disappointed way. But Laila finds a new life in Murree, Pakistan. They both
marry each other. Laila tells Tariq about Mariam and her whole life. And also Laila
explains everything to Aziza and tell her that Tariq is his father not Rasheed. Laila wants
to go back to Kabul to see the land she grew on playing finding her love of her life.
Taliban had moved back to Pakistan and life was good again. Tariq said that he will do
whatever for her. Tariq, Zalmai, Aziza and Laila go to Iran and to Gul Daman. At Gul
Daman Laila learns more about Mariam and saw her mud home. She talked with Hamza,
Mullah Faizallah’s son, and he gives her an envelope Jalil gave to Mullah Faizallah and
he gave to his son. In that letter, Jalil regretted everything he had done. He said that he
had to do it because he knew that life was going to be not better for her. Jalil died two
years ago. Then Tariq and Laila and their son go to Kabul and see sign of changes. Laila
is now a teacher and teaches ten year children and Tariq is supporting Laila. Tariq and
Laila are both expecting a child (girl) and they will name her Mariam.
Analysis:
Mariam gives up her life for Laila and her children and she is willing to face charges
against Rasheed. Because of Mariam, Laila is leaving a life that she dreamed about and
Mariam was given a horrible death by the Taliban but she thanks god for giving her all
the good things that he could. Now Laila is trying to know more about Mariam and how
her life was. She finds out how painful, and unhappy life Mariam had lived. But in the
end Laila names her own daughter by Mariam’s name showing her the respect that she
very well deserved.