Gender Roles In A Thousand Splendid Suns

Women have been oppressed around the world for centuries. And that is especially true of the women of Afghanistan. In the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini; characters Laila and Mariam both know what it is like to be enslaved to the discrimination of their culture. They are treated like property and denied basic human rights. In this novel Laila and Mariam struggle to overcome the hardships faced before them and learn what it is to endure, have courage, and find friendship. Laila and Mariam both overcome the sexism of their war stricken country and learn endurance, courage, and eventually friendship. Afghanistan during the Taliban reign was a harsh place, especially for women. Women were sold to their husbands at a very …show more content…
When the Taliban took over Afghanistan this message was blasted over the radio," Attention women: You will stay inside your homes at all times. It is not proper for women to wander aimlessly about the streets. If you go outside, you must be accompanied by a mahram, a male relative. If you are caught alone on the street, you will be beaten and sent home..."(Hosseini 248). Laila is horrified by the new announcement, but Mariam knows that women like her had always had limited rights, now they were just enforced. Laila is determined to see her rights restored. Mariam and Laila both find courage in this time when they decide to leave their husband and travel as far away as possible. This is a very dangerous step for women who are not supposed to leave home alone, but they attempt it anyways. Together Laila and Mariam find courage to create a better life for themselves. The final lesson that Mariam and Laila learned is that of friendship and love. Mariam has struggled for love and acceptance her entire life and she only finds that with Laila. Mariam's heart at first is bitter and reluctant to let Laila in, but after sisterly bonding they become friends. "Liala knew that they were not enemies any longer"(224). Mariam overcomes her bitterness and forgives herself and fills herself with the love of Laila's friendship. Without Mariam's friendship and sacrifice for Laila would have never led

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