All I have to say about parts 3 and 4 is OMG! It begins when Laila wakes up in Mariam and Rasheed's house. I feel so bad that she lost her brothers first and now her parents. What is she going to do? Now she has to put up with the wretch that is Rasheed.
I teared up a little when Abdul Sharif brings news of Tariq from Pakistan. Tariq died soon after he was in the hospital. I feel even more sad for Laila. She has lost everyone she has ever cared about and now she lost her true love. Thank God he makes it in the end! =]
I think it right for Miriam to be furious when Rasheed and Laila agree to get married. I really think it goes against all morals and ethics to have more than one wife. I mean Rasheed barely cares for Miriam, never mind another wife.
I think that the interaction with Laila in Mariam's house allows the reader to not only notice how much Mariam has changed and become hardened by Rasheed, but also the differences between the two women. Mariam is obedient of Rasheed to not anger him and has been forced into submission, Laila is cunning and secretive in her attempt to save herself and her child. Speaking of a child, Laila’s pregnancy provides her with hope. She looks to this child for strength, and she finds a new kind of love that she has never known before. The unborn baby symbolizes Laila's immense love and her longing for Tariq. It also shows that contrast between her and Miriam and how Miriam could not bear children for Rasheed. So Rasheed immediately loves Laila more. I hate Rasheed so much. If all he cares about is having "his" son, then go adopt a son or something. Don't marry another women out of hope to have a child!
Mariam and Laila were bound to fight, as Mariam's only real role in life was as a wife to Rasheed. Even though Rasheed abused Mariam, once Laila was brought into the house, her identity as Rasheed's wife was threatened. Once Laila was pregnant, Mariam feels like even less of a wife, and less of a woman, than Laila. I like it when they finally mend fences and conspire against Rasheed. I am so happy that they finally take a stand.
One of my favorite parts is when Tariq shows up in front of Miriam and Laila. I think Tariq’s return to Laila suggests that their true love has not faded, despite the fact that years have passed while they were apart. They still love each other regardless of their ragged appearances. Tariq is loyal and understanding of Laila’s marital and child-bearing situation. Rasheed is so mad when he hears that Tariq is back because he knew Tariq when he was young. Rasheed doesn't want anything coming between him and his property (wives).
The ultimate best part ever is when Miriam finally kills Rasheed. I know that is horrible to say but he totally deserved it after everything he put his family through. It was sad to see that Miriam took the hit for everything though, but atleast Laila and Tariq got to be free with their children. I like how Hosseini ends with Laila’s new pregnancy. I think it offers hope to the end of the book, and the determination to name a female child after Mariam. The end of the novel is a hopeful moment, one of Laila's pregnancy, a Kabul that is rebuilding, and a complete loving family. I think this is the first time in the novel that there is no chance for the next few pages to destroy this hope. I hope that they lived with reasonable peace and happiness, freed from suffering.
I honestly have to say that because of parts 3 and 4, A Thousand Splendid Suns has become one of my favorite novels. I never really noticed how much time had passed in the book, from the Soviet’s rule, to the collapse of communism and its’ vicious rulers in Afghanistan and now the rule of the Taliban. It’s so amazing to think about how Hosseini makes his readers become so attached to the stories of these women that they can’t even realize the dates! There’s so much to say about the end of the book that I could possibly go on forever. Laila wakes up with Mariam and Rasheed at her bedside and so their lives begin to intertwine when Rasheed asks Laila for her hand. The climax of the novel, although arguable, I would have to say is when Laila’s pregnancy is revealed. I have to say I was completely shocked and not expecting it at all! We also realize that Laila is a very thoughtful young girl because she knows the consequences of turning down Rasheed’s courtship and how she won’t be able to fend for herself on her own with no support from her family. And so Mariam and Laila develop a keen and unique friendship while in the house together for long periods of time. Although at first they don’t get along, there’s a turn in their relationship when Laila stands up for Mariam as she is about to be beaten by Rasheed. The only reason why Rasheed favors Laila over Mariam is because Laila is capable of giving birth to his son (which she doesn’t at first) and she’s something new to look at whereas Mariam is “played out”. The way that Hosseini decides to connect all of these pieces together is so fascinating to me because I’ve yet to learn to do that as a writer. To be able to conjure a work of fiction from pure imagination and to create something this enticing is such an amazing skill that I wish to learn some day! As a writer, Hosseini knows just what to write to make us love and hate certain characters such as Jalil, Rasheed, Laila and Mariam. I was so incredibly hopefully when Mariam and Laila devised a plan to escape Rasheed and his cruelty that my hopes were crushed when it didn’t work out. I felt like Mariam and how each one of her hopes was dashed after each disappointment she felt. I hated Rasheed so much more after he put Mariam and Laila in the dark rooms without food or water, that all I wanted Laila and Mariam to do was kill him and get it over with. But of course patience is a virtue.
I feel like the biggest reason why Rasheed wanted Laila or Mariam to conceive a boy was because of the simple fact that it would fill the void of his son who drowned before. When Zalmai was born, you could see that Rasheed was so content with his son and would do anything for him, even break the law of the Taliban. Speaking of the law of the Taliban, page 248 gives the reader a clear depiction of what it meant to live in Afghanistan during Taliban rule. These extremist were nightmares to the already oppressed people who didn’t need any more violence or aggression in their daily lives. But of course Rasheed was content with this because it gave the men in society that much more power and control over the woman, as if they needed any more. When Tariq showed up in front of Laila and Mariam, it was truly a happy moment. Of course they had to deal with the circumstances but the fact that Tariq was still alive when we were sure he was dead was so gratifying to discover as a reader! The best moment however, was when Mariam killed Rasheed. Yes that sounds slightly diabolical but I never thought Mariam would be the one to do it. I pictured Laila killing him because she was so defiant and outspoken but never quiet Mariam. Who knew that her brooding resentment would actually come out and cause her to commit the crime that everyone wanted to see. I like to think of Mariam as a martyr, someone dying for something they truly believe in, for the happiness of others. Laila respected Mariam by going to Mullah’s house and visiting her past kolba which made Laila very emotional. I’m kind of upset that I have to end this spiel of mine because I would very much like to go on forever discussing the book but I highly recommend everyone to read it! It’s great!
I would have to agree with kisla and say that I really never realized how much time passed with each page. It was all a blur because all I really cared about was that Miriam and Laila survived. And as for Rasheed wanting a boy, I also have to agree with kisla. He was trying to make himself feel better, because we found out that he was part of the reason for his son drowning because he was drunk. I don't Rasheed even deserves a child. He is selfish and ignorant of anyone else's feelings, how could he love a child?
It really was like one of the best books I have ever read. It was full of simple words of depth and honesty that I could understand. The characters were easily related to, even in a land and culture so foreign to ours, and I wished again and again for their happiness. Khaled Hosseini is our modern Charles Dickens. And I hated Dickens, but I love Hosseini. He gives insights into parts of the world that we could never experience through his dramatic storylines. These storylines create a corridor where there would otherwise be a wall. This book has given me a connection to the dreams, hopes, sorrows, losses and sacrifices of those lives beneath the burkas.
Even though we only had a short time frame, I wish I had the chance to read more slowly just so I could savor the story and characters more. I think I said in the first blog that I have read Kite Runner. I did read Kite Runner, and like 1000 Splendid Suns, it was amazing. But story-wise and depth, 1000 Splendid Suns takes the cake. Hosseini gave us this Afghan story that was marked by death and loss and grief. The story overflowed with violence, abuse, and the daily, wretched acts of oppression and wickedness. The outrageous rules of life under the Taliban reflected their tired philosophy. This may not be a book for everyone but in then end, Hosseini highlights the restoration of hope and gratitude and makes it one of the most appealing novels, in my eyes.
Throughout parts 3 and 4, I could hardly focus on anything but how cruel Rasheed was ! Starting off, I would like to touch upon Rasheed’s predictability. When he met Mariam many years before he even knew of Laila, he had started his relationship with Mariam off in a way that gave her hope. He took her around town with him, showered her with presents and compliments, and overall, he made Mariam feel like she mattered to somebody, only to cast her aside after she could not bear children and was useless to him. Rasheed eventually became a horrid shell of a human being, with hardly any emotion, that is, until Laila came into the picture. After Laila lost her family and Rasheed took her in, he harnessed new life, just as he had with Mariam. Rasheed took an extreme liking to Laila after she was all healed from her accident. Eventually, they married, and Rasheed treated her like a queen, just as he had for Mariam years before. This did not go over well at all with Mariam, who let her jealousy, entangled with resentment and hatred for Rasheed over take her. Rasheed’s constant harassing of Mariam, and his superior attitude did not help Mariam’s cause in the least. What made me really despise Rasheed was a line towards Mariam on page 199 that said “have you told her, Mariam, have you told her yet that you are a harami?” This one quote, although short in length, was monstrous in significance. All Mariam’s life, she felt as though she was a useless person, that would never be good enough to even achieve some sort of happiness, and just when she thought she had found it, Rasheed had turned around and reminded her that she is nothing. After a few years, Rasheed similarly became bored of Laila, going as far as saying “you’re turning into Mariam,” on page 271. What was different in this case, however, was the fact that there were children involved now, and that Laila and Mariam became inseparable, and became empowered from the presence of one another. The first child to arrive was Aziza. Aziza, however, was not the offspring of Rasheed, rather of Tariq, and Rasheed had an idea of this. Rasheed’s horrible, predicable evil attitude became cleat in his interaction, or lack of interaction with Aziza. He would avoid her, scold her when she cried, and even lock her in a room with her mother, letting her linger with death for a full day. Rasheed, however, did not act the same way to Zalmari, whom he was sure was his own blood. For example, when Aziza was born, Rasheed would not so much as buy her a toy, but when Zalmari was born, he splurged and spent money that the family did not have on new toys, cribs, new diapers when there were extras, the whole 9 yards! And when it came time to temporarily give up one of the children, to no surprise it was Aziza. His unbalanced relationship towards his kids really showed how much of a terrible person he truly was. With all of these negative things about Rasheed being said, his ultimate downfall was extremely pleasurable for me, and im sure for anyone else who read the book. With every punch and kick thrown at either Laila or Mariam, my hatred for Rasheed grew. One of my favorite parts of the books was spurred by Rasheed’s outrageous temper. When he was beating Laila after he found out about her visit with Tariq, and Laila punched him right in the cheek, I wanted to hop in the book and give Laila a high hive. Although her impulsive action led to an even greater beating, the swift fling of the fist showed how Laila began to refuse the life style, and stick up for herself. Also, the punch foreshadowed that Laila, and eventually Mariam, were not going to take Rasheed’s abuse any longer. After years of abuse and ridicule, all of the built up emotion that was stored in Mariam finally poured out. In ch. 44, when Rasheed was beating Laila, harder than usual, Mariam had decided for the first time that “she was deciding the course of her own life.” And with the decision, she “brought down the shovel,” along with years of built up anger, hatred, resentment, and regret.
It's kind of funny that you mentioned Dickens, Kristina, because when Mariam sacrificed her life for the happiness of Laila and her children, I couldn't help but think of Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. The idea of these characters being used as martyrs in either one of the novels is interesting and makes me compare Hosseini to Dickens. I don't want to digress but I have to disagree with you about the dislike of Dickens. I remember being a sophomore and dreading English class especially because I had to read Dickens and his excrutiatingly complex sentences. But I came to the conclusion that a piece of literature can't be judged solely on the fact that it was hard to read. It has to be judged as an entire work and its meaning as well.
Hosseini provides this amazing, fictional story that most of his readers can all relate to one way or another. Although Afghan culture is much, much different than our American culture, we can still relate to certain aspects of it such as constant ideas that are brought up in the novel like love, loss of innocence, disappointment and a lot more. Mostly every teenager has been let down by someone they truly care about and it's just a part of life. But to really be able to become attached to the characters that Hosseini describes, to me, is a great success for the writer to achieve and is also the reason why this is now one of my favorite novels.
I have to agree with Kristina when she writes that the end of the novel was a hopeful and promising way to end the story, with Laila's pregnancy and the future of Kabul's rebuilding as a nation. I was content with the way Hosseini chose to end the novel because after all, it needed some sort of light amid all the darkness described throughout the book.
I would definitely have to agree with Kristina in the sense that three and four were so outrageous and unpredictable that I could not help but keep reading, and I would agree with Kisla that with all of the information planted in my brain from these sections, there is just not limit to what could be written about! I would also agree with Kisla that Laila immediately proves to be a “thoughtful young girl.” Laila had just gone through an experience that is unthinkable ; she withstood a missile attack, lost her parents, and saw a “bloody chunk,” that was the remains of her father. I think that any other person in the world that had an experience like this would not even be able to think straight on their own, let alone adjust to an entirely new life with new people within weeks. Laila even proves continues to be a thoughtful girl throughout the rest of the book. Actually, she proves to be a extraordinary young girl. For example, when Aziza, whom she loved with every speck of her heart, was put up for adoption, she let nothing stand in her way to see the girl as much as she could. Rasheed, being the lazy, selfish, uncaring sack of meat that he was, refused to keep making the walk from his house to the orphanage, constantly complaining that he is to tired, or that another day would be better, that day never coming. This posed quite a problem for Laila to see her daughter, as women were not allowed to leave the house without a male relative. Laila, however, would risk taking the walk, and risk the flesh on her back, and getting beat, to make the walk to Aziza. When caught, Aziza would sometimes be savagely beat, sometimes twice, even three times in one outing! But she pushed through the pain, and made consistent visits to Aziza. I would also agree with Kristina that I liked when Laila and Mariam found a common enemy in Rasheed, that eventually led them to become very close. I think that the uniting of Mariam and Laila had more significance that met the eye. In retrospect, they saved each other’s lives from the raging bull that was Rasheed. In Laila’s case, Mariam literally saved Laila’s life when she struck Rasheed with the shovel, because if she had not been there to stop Rasheed, he would have beat Laila to death. Mariam’s case is a bit more complex. As she grew older, Rasheed’s attitude towards her continued to go from bad to worse, and would have kept doing so at a rapid rate if Laila never came along to distract him. If Rasheed’s disgust for Mariam kept growing, he would most likely have beat her to death at some point. Also, if Laila never came along to build a bond with Mariam, Mariam would have never gained the confidence to realize that she was not just a harami, and she would have accepted the fate that Rasheed and Mammy had planned for her, which was a life of uselessness. To elaborate, Laila gave Mariam a meaning. Mariam was on the fast track to nowhere. But when Laila showed up, Mariam began to take control of her own life. She, for the first time in her life, took risks, such as attempting to run away with Laila, something she would have never previously considered. More importantly, Mariam found an ultimate reason for her life, and her death. “Laila wished for so much in those final moments. Yet as she closed her eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace washed over her.” This quote shows that in the final seconds of Mariam’s life, she realized that she did mean something, and she was not useless or a harami, as her purpose in life was to die for a cause, that cause being Laila, Aziza, Zolmai, and every other person in the world that felt as though they were meaningless.
As the story wraps up, I am completely appalled! I feel bad for Lalia as her parents are killed in an attack and the death of Tariq is faked. I don't understand why Rasheed would want to get married to another woman? I know it is part of the Islamic way of living but this is just random. I think Lalia is also devious on her part for lying and saying that the baby is Rasheed's when it is really Tariq's. Lalia only decides to marry Rasheed because he took her in when she was left with nothing. I hate Rasheed. He is such a cruel and brutal person. The way he acts and treated Mariam is the reason why he faced a dilemma when he went short on money therefore he couldn't even support his "family". What goes around comes around. This is harsh to say, but I feel that Rasheed got what he deserved when Mariam killed him because he is not a good person and I dislike the fact that he acted the way he did to both Lalia and Mariam! He was too controlling and corrupt!
As for Mariam, I think she did what she did because she had enough torture in her life. I feel most sorry for her in the end because at such a young age she was being controlled and it continued all throughout her life. There is only so much pain and negativity a person can take.
I also dislike Jalil! After putting Mariam through all the harsh events she went through, he felt guilty. This brings me back to the saying what goes around, comes around. There's nothing more he can do now that he ruined his child's life and she ends up dead.
I think it was sweet of Lalia to want to name her and Tariq’s new born baby after Mariam (if it happens to be a girl) because Mariam helped her out. I thought Mariam would have been angrier at Lalia for marrying Rasheed, but in the end Mariam's true colors are exposed. We get to see the person she really is. A loving, kind, understanding person. She definitely held a great influence on Lalia's life; after all she saved her life when Rasheed attempted to kill her.
This novel really opened up my eyes to a world I though I knew, but I was completely wrong. I never knew how harsh and endangered the lives of Afghans were. In these last two parts, it became very clear that Hosseini was presenting this story through the perspective of two strong, indapendent and determined woman. In the first parts, the woman seemed to let the laws of the land rule over them, but soon they become so aggravated and team together to fight their enemy, rasheed and begin a new life.
And no matter how hard their lives get, they never give up. They always find hope and stength to get through it. I believe Hosseini characterizes Laila and Mariam this way to express all woman's stregth in Afghanistan at this time. Under the Taliban, they had no rights, but they had to follow the rules, no matter if it killed them.
I hated how Rasheed turned out to be. I thought at first maybe he was just upset at Mariam that she couldn't bear him children, but now I learned he was just a cruel bitter man. He should be ashamed for the way he treated his wives, and unfortunatley Hosseini portrayed Rasheed this way because most husbands were the same way.
Although Mariam is executed in the story for her killing of Rasheed, there is still happiness in the ending. Laila lives on with her true family, Tariq, Aziza and Zalmai. There is also happiness in Mariam's passing, this is because Mariam final gets to put her life on the line for those she cares for, like a mother's instinct would. Mariam ended up being like a mother to Laila, so it is only right that when she died, it was for her child, Laila, and her childs family.
I cannot get over how much I loved this book, and how it helped me go back and relate some things to Reading Lolita in Tehran. And now I cannot wait to see how that book finishes out.
I agree with Kisla. I think that because Rasheed's son died in the past, he wants another son to makes up for it. Maybe that is why he is such an angry, brutal man. I think his past incident over-power his mind, and he is unable to control his temper. For instance, when he shoved the rocks and pebbles in Mariam's mouth for no reason, representing the horrible character he is.
As said before in my previous blog, I have to say also that both Lalia and Mariam are thoughtful characters. I was glad to see the relationship between these two women grow after all the torture they both went through. They were there for one another when Rasheed had his bipolar moments, which I believe is something they needed being that they (especially Mariam) were living in fear due to Rasheed's heartless acts.
Also, I agree with Kristina and ALfonse, we see how Rasheed treats Aziza horribly. So, why would he even want a son or a child for that matter? He heartless, evil, cold blooded, and unpredictable. He is the reason why his son died. Wouldn't that tragedy make someone not want to go through any more worrying about history repeating itself? I hate how he treats Aziza as well! He has no right to act in this barbaric manner. I personally think Rasheed should just live on his own, by himself (even though he dies in the end).
I really enjoyed this book!! Hosseini is a great writer! The entire plot of the story is interesting, but it gets more and more fascinating as the story goes on.
I agree with KIsla that Rasheed's want for a son was to fill the void of his late son with his former wife, however I think there is more to it. Rasheed is always referring to Mariam or Laila or any woman in the story as a fool. And this reminds me of the Great Gatsby when Daisy explains how dissapointed she was to see her child was a girl, because "That's about the best a girl can hope for these days, to be a pretty little fool." Rasheed understands the restrictions and limits woman have in their life, and although he is not against them, he does not want a child of his to have to face them. And unfortunatley the only way for this to happen is for the child to be a man.
Of course I would have to agree with kristina about the ending being hopeful for laila and her family, and Kabul's future. Hosseini does this to keep the images and views of Afghanistan positive. In his story, he has already shown so much that makes you angry with their ways, but that is seen as the past now. There is better things to come in the future, he and we all hope.
All I have to say about parts 3 and 4 is OMG! It begins when Laila wakes up in Mariam and Rasheed's house. I feel so bad that she lost her brothers first and now her parents. What is she going to do? Now she has to put up with the wretch that is Rasheed.
ReplyDeleteI teared up a little when Abdul Sharif brings news of Tariq from Pakistan. Tariq died soon after he was in the hospital. I feel even more sad for Laila. She has lost everyone she has ever cared about and now she lost her true love. Thank God he makes it in the end! =]
I think it right for Miriam to be furious when Rasheed and Laila agree to get married. I really think it goes against all morals and ethics to have more than one wife. I mean Rasheed barely cares for Miriam, never mind another wife.
I think that the interaction with Laila in Mariam's house allows the reader to not only notice how much Mariam has changed and become hardened by Rasheed, but also the differences between the two women. Mariam is obedient of Rasheed to not anger him and has been forced into submission, Laila is cunning and secretive in her attempt to save herself and her child. Speaking of a child, Laila’s pregnancy provides her with hope. She looks to this child for strength, and she finds a new kind of love that she has never known before. The unborn baby symbolizes Laila's immense love and her longing for Tariq. It also shows that contrast between her and Miriam and how Miriam could not bear children for Rasheed. So Rasheed immediately loves Laila more. I hate Rasheed so much. If all he cares about is having "his" son, then go adopt a son or something. Don't marry another women out of hope to have a child!
Mariam and Laila were bound to fight, as Mariam's only real role in life was as a wife to Rasheed. Even though Rasheed abused Mariam, once Laila was brought into the house, her identity as Rasheed's wife was threatened. Once Laila was pregnant, Mariam feels like even less of a wife, and less of a woman, than Laila. I like it when they finally mend fences and conspire against Rasheed. I am so happy that they finally take a stand.
One of my favorite parts is when Tariq shows up in front of Miriam and Laila. I think Tariq’s return to Laila suggests that their true love has not faded, despite the fact that years have passed while they were apart. They still love each other regardless of their ragged appearances. Tariq is loyal and understanding of Laila’s marital and child-bearing situation. Rasheed is so mad when he hears that Tariq is back because he knew Tariq when he was young. Rasheed doesn't want anything coming between him and his property (wives).
The ultimate best part ever is when Miriam finally kills Rasheed. I know that is horrible to say but he totally deserved it after everything he put his family through. It was sad to see that Miriam took the hit for everything though, but atleast Laila and Tariq got to be free with their children. I like how Hosseini ends with Laila’s new pregnancy. I think it offers hope to the end of the book, and the determination to name a female child after Mariam. The end of the novel is a hopeful moment, one of Laila's pregnancy, a Kabul that is rebuilding, and a complete loving family. I think this is the first time in the novel that there is no chance for the next few pages to destroy this hope. I hope that they lived with reasonable peace and happiness, freed from suffering.
I honestly have to say that because of parts 3 and 4, A Thousand Splendid Suns has become one of my favorite novels. I never really noticed how much time had passed in the book, from the Soviet’s rule, to the collapse of communism and its’ vicious rulers in Afghanistan and now the rule of the Taliban. It’s so amazing to think about how Hosseini makes his readers become so attached to the stories of these women that they can’t even realize the dates!
ReplyDeleteThere’s so much to say about the end of the book that I could possibly go on forever. Laila wakes up with Mariam and Rasheed at her bedside and so their lives begin to intertwine when Rasheed asks Laila for her hand. The climax of the novel, although arguable, I would have to say is when Laila’s pregnancy is revealed. I have to say I was completely shocked and not expecting it at all! We also realize that Laila is a very thoughtful young girl because she knows the consequences of turning down Rasheed’s courtship and how she won’t be able to fend for herself on her own with no support from her family.
And so Mariam and Laila develop a keen and unique friendship while in the house together for long periods of time. Although at first they don’t get along, there’s a turn in their relationship when Laila stands up for Mariam as she is about to be beaten by Rasheed. The only reason why Rasheed favors Laila over Mariam is because Laila is capable of giving birth to his son (which she doesn’t at first) and she’s something new to look at whereas Mariam is “played out”.
The way that Hosseini decides to connect all of these pieces together is so fascinating to me because I’ve yet to learn to do that as a writer. To be able to conjure a work of fiction from pure imagination and to create something this enticing is such an amazing skill that I wish to learn some day! As a writer, Hosseini knows just what to write to make us love and hate certain characters such as Jalil, Rasheed, Laila and Mariam.
I was so incredibly hopefully when Mariam and Laila devised a plan to escape Rasheed and his cruelty that my hopes were crushed when it didn’t work out. I felt like Mariam and how each one of her hopes was dashed after each disappointment she felt. I hated Rasheed so much more after he put Mariam and Laila in the dark rooms without food or water, that all I wanted Laila and Mariam to do was kill him and get it over with. But of course patience is a virtue.
I feel like the biggest reason why Rasheed wanted Laila or Mariam to conceive a boy was because of the simple fact that it would fill the void of his son who drowned before. When Zalmai was born, you could see that Rasheed was so content with his son and would do anything for him, even break the law of the Taliban. Speaking of the law of the Taliban, page 248 gives the reader a clear depiction of what it meant to live in Afghanistan during Taliban rule. These extremist were nightmares to the already oppressed people who didn’t need any more violence or aggression in their daily lives. But of course Rasheed was content with this because it gave the men in society that much more power and control over the woman, as if they needed any more.
ReplyDeleteWhen Tariq showed up in front of Laila and Mariam, it was truly a happy moment. Of course they had to deal with the circumstances but the fact that Tariq was still alive when we were sure he was dead was so gratifying to discover as a reader! The best moment however, was when Mariam killed Rasheed. Yes that sounds slightly diabolical but I never thought Mariam would be the one to do it. I pictured Laila killing him because she was so defiant and outspoken but never quiet Mariam. Who knew that her brooding resentment would actually come out and cause her to commit the crime that everyone wanted to see. I like to think of Mariam as a martyr, someone dying for something they truly believe in, for the happiness of others. Laila respected Mariam by going to Mullah’s house and visiting her past kolba which made Laila very emotional.
I’m kind of upset that I have to end this spiel of mine because I would very much like to go on forever discussing the book but I highly recommend everyone to read it! It’s great!
And Oh my goodness my spaces didn't work =(
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with kisla and say that I really never realized how much time passed with each page. It was all a blur because all I really cared about was that Miriam and Laila survived. And as for Rasheed wanting a boy, I also have to agree with kisla. He was trying to make himself feel better, because we found out that he was part of the reason for his son drowning because he was drunk. I don't Rasheed even deserves a child. He is selfish and ignorant of anyone else's feelings, how could he love a child?
ReplyDeleteIt really was like one of the best books I have ever read. It was full of simple words of depth and honesty that I could understand. The characters were easily related to, even in a land and culture so foreign to ours, and I wished again and again for their happiness. Khaled Hosseini is our modern Charles Dickens. And I hated Dickens, but I love Hosseini. He gives insights into parts of the world that we could never experience through his dramatic storylines. These storylines create a corridor where there would otherwise be a wall. This book has given me a connection to the dreams, hopes, sorrows, losses and sacrifices of those lives beneath the burkas.
Even though we only had a short time frame, I wish I had the chance to read more slowly just so I could savor the story and characters more. I think I said in the first blog that I have read Kite Runner. I did read Kite Runner, and like 1000 Splendid Suns, it was amazing. But story-wise and depth, 1000 Splendid Suns takes the cake. Hosseini gave us this Afghan story that was marked by death and loss and grief. The story overflowed with violence, abuse, and the daily, wretched acts of oppression and wickedness. The outrageous rules of life under the Taliban reflected their tired philosophy. This may not be a book for everyone but in then end, Hosseini highlights the restoration of hope and gratitude and makes it one of the most appealing novels, in my eyes.
Throughout parts 3 and 4, I could hardly focus on anything but how cruel Rasheed was ! Starting off, I would like to touch upon Rasheed’s predictability. When he met Mariam many years before he even knew of Laila, he had started his relationship with Mariam off in a way that gave her hope. He took her around town with him, showered her with presents and compliments, and overall, he made Mariam feel like she mattered to somebody, only to cast her aside after she could not bear children and was useless to him. Rasheed eventually became a horrid shell of a human being, with hardly any emotion, that is, until Laila came into the picture.
ReplyDeleteAfter Laila lost her family and Rasheed took her in, he harnessed new life, just as he had with Mariam. Rasheed took an extreme liking to Laila after she was all healed from her accident. Eventually, they married, and Rasheed treated her like a queen, just as he had for Mariam years before. This did not go over well at all with Mariam, who let her jealousy, entangled with resentment and hatred for Rasheed over take her. Rasheed’s constant harassing of Mariam, and his superior attitude did not help Mariam’s cause in the least. What made me really despise Rasheed was a line towards Mariam on page 199 that said “have you told her, Mariam, have you told her yet that you are a harami?” This one quote, although short in length, was monstrous in significance. All Mariam’s life, she felt as though she was a useless person, that would never be good enough to even achieve some sort of happiness, and just when she thought she had found it, Rasheed had turned around and reminded her that she is nothing.
After a few years, Rasheed similarly became bored of Laila, going as far as saying “you’re turning into Mariam,” on page 271. What was different in this case, however, was the fact that there were children involved now, and that Laila and Mariam became inseparable, and became empowered from the presence of one another. The first child to arrive was Aziza. Aziza, however, was not the offspring of Rasheed, rather of Tariq, and Rasheed had an idea of this. Rasheed’s horrible, predicable evil attitude became cleat in his interaction, or lack of interaction with Aziza. He would avoid her, scold her when she cried, and even lock her in a room with her mother, letting her linger with death for a full day. Rasheed, however, did not act the same way to Zalmari, whom he was sure was his own blood. For example, when Aziza was born, Rasheed would not so much as buy her a toy, but when Zalmari was born, he splurged and spent money that the family did not have on new toys, cribs, new diapers when there were extras, the whole 9 yards! And when it came time to temporarily give up one of the children, to no surprise it was Aziza. His unbalanced relationship towards his kids really showed how much of a terrible person he truly was.
With all of these negative things about Rasheed being said, his ultimate downfall was extremely pleasurable for me, and im sure for anyone else who read the book. With every punch and kick thrown at either Laila or Mariam, my hatred for Rasheed grew. One of my favorite parts of the books was spurred by Rasheed’s outrageous temper. When he was beating Laila after he found out about her visit with Tariq, and Laila punched him right in the cheek, I wanted to hop in the book and give Laila a high hive. Although her impulsive action led to an even greater beating, the swift fling of the fist showed how Laila began to refuse the life style, and stick up for herself. Also, the punch foreshadowed that Laila, and eventually Mariam, were not going to take Rasheed’s abuse any longer. After years of abuse and ridicule, all of the built up emotion that was stored in Mariam finally poured out. In ch. 44, when Rasheed was beating Laila, harder than usual, Mariam had decided for the first time that “she was deciding the course of her own life.” And with the decision, she “brought down the shovel,” along with years of built up anger, hatred, resentment, and regret.
It's kind of funny that you mentioned Dickens, Kristina, because when Mariam sacrificed her life for the happiness of Laila and her children, I couldn't help but think of Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. The idea of these characters being used as martyrs in either one of the novels is interesting and makes me compare Hosseini to Dickens. I don't want to digress but I have to disagree with you about the dislike of Dickens. I remember being a sophomore and dreading English class especially because I had to read Dickens and his excrutiatingly complex sentences. But I came to the conclusion that a piece of literature can't be judged solely on the fact that it was hard to read. It has to be judged as an entire work and its meaning as well.
ReplyDeleteHosseini provides this amazing, fictional story that most of his readers can all relate to one way or another. Although Afghan culture is much, much different than our American culture, we can still relate to certain aspects of it such as constant ideas that are brought up in the novel like love, loss of innocence, disappointment and a lot more. Mostly every teenager has been let down by someone they truly care about and it's just a part of life. But to really be able to become attached to the characters that Hosseini describes, to me, is a great success for the writer to achieve and is also the reason why this is now one of my favorite novels.
I have to agree with Kristina when she writes that the end of the novel was a hopeful and promising way to end the story, with Laila's pregnancy and the future of Kabul's rebuilding as a nation. I was content with the way Hosseini chose to end the novel because after all, it needed some sort of light amid all the darkness described throughout the book.
I would definitely have to agree with Kristina in the sense that three and four were so outrageous and unpredictable that I could not help but keep reading, and I would agree with Kisla that with all of the information planted in my brain from these sections, there is just not limit to what could be written about!
ReplyDeleteI would also agree with Kisla that Laila immediately proves to be a “thoughtful young girl.” Laila had just gone through an experience that is unthinkable ; she withstood a missile attack, lost her parents, and saw a “bloody chunk,” that was the remains of her father. I think that any other person in the world that had an experience like this would not even be able to think straight on their own, let alone adjust to an entirely new life with new people within weeks.
Laila even proves continues to be a thoughtful girl throughout the rest of the book. Actually, she proves to be a extraordinary young girl. For example, when Aziza, whom she loved with every speck of her heart, was put up for adoption, she let nothing stand in her way to see the girl as much as she could. Rasheed, being the lazy, selfish, uncaring sack of meat that he was, refused to keep making the walk from his house to the orphanage, constantly complaining that he is to tired, or that another day would be better, that day never coming. This posed quite a problem for Laila to see her daughter, as women were not allowed to leave the house without a male relative. Laila, however, would risk taking the walk, and risk the flesh on her back, and getting beat, to make the walk to Aziza. When caught, Aziza would sometimes be savagely beat, sometimes twice, even three times in one outing! But she pushed through the pain, and made consistent visits to Aziza.
I would also agree with Kristina that I liked when Laila and Mariam found a common enemy in Rasheed, that eventually led them to become very close. I think that the uniting of Mariam and Laila had more significance that met the eye. In retrospect, they saved each other’s lives from the raging bull that was Rasheed. In Laila’s case, Mariam literally saved Laila’s life when she struck Rasheed with the shovel, because if she had not been there to stop Rasheed, he would have beat Laila to death. Mariam’s case is a bit more complex. As she grew older, Rasheed’s attitude towards her continued to go from bad to worse, and would have kept doing so at a rapid rate if Laila never came along to distract him. If Rasheed’s disgust for Mariam kept growing, he would most likely have beat her to death at some point. Also, if Laila never came along to build a bond with Mariam, Mariam would have never gained the confidence to realize that she was not just a harami, and she would have accepted the fate that Rasheed and Mammy had planned for her, which was a life of uselessness.
To elaborate, Laila gave Mariam a meaning. Mariam was on the fast track to nowhere. But when Laila showed up, Mariam began to take control of her own life. She, for the first time in her life, took risks, such as attempting to run away with Laila, something she would have never previously considered. More importantly, Mariam found an ultimate reason for her life, and her death. “Laila wished for so much in those final moments. Yet as she closed her eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace washed over her.” This quote shows that in the final seconds of Mariam’s life, she realized that she did mean something, and she was not useless or a harami, as her purpose in life was to die for a cause, that cause being Laila, Aziza, Zolmai, and every other person in the world that felt as though they were meaningless.
As the story wraps up, I am completely appalled! I feel bad for Lalia as her parents are killed in an attack and the death of Tariq is faked. I don't understand why Rasheed would want to get married to another woman? I know it is part of the Islamic way of living but this is just random. I think Lalia is also devious on her part for lying and saying that the baby is Rasheed's when it is really Tariq's. Lalia only decides to marry Rasheed because he took her in when she was left with nothing. I hate Rasheed. He is such a cruel and brutal person. The way he acts and treated Mariam is the reason why he faced a dilemma when he went short on money therefore he couldn't even support his "family". What goes around comes around.
ReplyDeleteThis is harsh to say, but I feel that Rasheed got what he deserved when Mariam killed him because he is not a good person and I dislike the fact that he acted the way he did to both Lalia and Mariam! He was too controlling and corrupt!
As for Mariam, I think she did what she did because she had enough torture in her life. I feel most sorry for her in the end because at such a young age she was being controlled and it continued all throughout her life. There is only so much pain and negativity a person can take.
I also dislike Jalil! After putting Mariam through all the harsh events she went through, he felt guilty. This brings me back to the saying what goes around, comes around. There's nothing more he can do now that he ruined his child's life and she ends up dead.
I think it was sweet of Lalia to want to name her and Tariq’s new born baby after Mariam (if it happens to be a girl) because Mariam helped her out. I thought Mariam would have been angrier at Lalia for marrying Rasheed, but in the end Mariam's true colors are exposed. We get to see the person she really is. A loving, kind, understanding person. She definitely held a great influence on Lalia's life; after all she saved her life when Rasheed attempted to kill her.
This novel really opened up my eyes to a world I though I knew, but I was completely wrong. I never knew how harsh and endangered the lives of Afghans were. In these last two parts, it became very clear that Hosseini was presenting this story through the perspective of two strong, indapendent and determined woman. In the first parts, the woman seemed to let the laws of the land rule over them, but soon they become so aggravated and team together to fight their enemy, rasheed and begin a new life.
ReplyDeleteAnd no matter how hard their lives get, they never give up. They always find hope and stength to get through it. I believe Hosseini characterizes Laila and Mariam this way to express all woman's stregth in Afghanistan at this time. Under the Taliban, they had no rights, but they had to follow the rules, no matter if it killed them.
I hated how Rasheed turned out to be. I thought at first maybe he was just upset at Mariam that she couldn't bear him children, but now I learned he was just a cruel bitter man. He should be ashamed for the way he treated his wives, and unfortunatley Hosseini portrayed Rasheed this way because most husbands were the same way.
Although Mariam is executed in the story for her killing of Rasheed, there is still happiness in the ending. Laila lives on with her true family, Tariq, Aziza and Zalmai. There is also happiness in Mariam's passing, this is because Mariam final gets to put her life on the line for those she cares for, like a mother's instinct would. Mariam ended up being like a mother to Laila, so it is only right that when she died, it was for her child, Laila, and her childs family.
I cannot get over how much I loved this book, and how it helped me go back and relate some things to Reading Lolita in Tehran. And now I cannot wait to see how that book finishes out.
I agree with Kisla. I think that because Rasheed's son died in the past, he wants another son to makes up for it. Maybe that is why he is such an angry, brutal man. I think his past incident over-power his mind, and he is unable to control his temper. For instance, when he shoved the rocks and pebbles in Mariam's mouth for no reason, representing the horrible character he is.
ReplyDeleteAs said before in my previous blog, I have to say also that both Lalia and Mariam are thoughtful characters. I was glad to see the relationship between these two women grow after all the torture they both went through. They were there for one another when Rasheed had his bipolar moments, which I believe is something they needed being that they (especially Mariam) were living in fear due to Rasheed's heartless acts.
Also, I agree with Kristina and ALfonse, we see how Rasheed treats Aziza horribly. So, why would he even want a son or a child for that matter? He heartless, evil, cold blooded, and unpredictable. He is the reason why his son died. Wouldn't that tragedy make someone not want to go through any more worrying about history repeating itself? I hate how he treats Aziza as well! He has no right to act in this barbaric manner. I personally think Rasheed should just live on his own, by himself (even though he dies in the end).
I really enjoyed this book!! Hosseini is a great writer! The entire plot of the story is interesting, but it gets more and more fascinating as the story goes on.
I agree with KIsla that Rasheed's want for a son was to fill the void of his late son with his former wife, however I think there is more to it.
ReplyDeleteRasheed is always referring to Mariam or Laila or any woman in the story as a fool. And this reminds me of the Great Gatsby when Daisy explains how dissapointed she was to see her child was a girl, because "That's about the best a girl can hope for these days, to be a pretty little fool." Rasheed understands the restrictions and limits woman have in their life, and although he is not against them, he does not want a child of his to have to face them. And unfortunatley the only way for this to happen is for the child to be a man.
Of course I would have to agree with kristina about the ending being hopeful for laila and her family, and Kabul's future. Hosseini does this to keep the images and views of Afghanistan positive. In his story, he has already shown so much that makes you angry with their ways, but that is seen as the past now. There is better things to come in the future, he and we all hope.