Technical Analysis
Part 1
Simile:
“Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.” (pg. 7)
-This simile is effective in which it paints a literal image of a compass, and how men in Afghanistan, in Nana’s opinion have overpowered women. The harshness of the simile exemplifies Nana’s detrimental character and the persuasive impact she has on her daughter.
Symbolism:
“She noticed that every time she breathed out, the surface fogged. And she disappeared from her father’s table” (pg. 50)
-Mariam is observing her reflection in her father’s coffee table. At this moment, he has decided that rather than taking in his abandoned daughter, her will give her away to a business acquaintance. Mariam’s breath could be representative of life, specifically her life, while the coffee table is symbolic of Jalil’s precious household. When Mariam breaths out, or imposes herself upon Jalil’s life, she essentially disappears, as if she means nothing to him.
Foreshadowing:
“What’s the matter with you?”
“You’re bleeding, hamshira!” (pg. 68)
-Upon Mariam’s first encounter with her neighbor, Fariba, Mariam is bombarded with questions regarding how many children she will have. Mariam quickly evacuates the conversation, and when doing so, she scrapes her knee badly. This is foreshadowing in which later on in the novel, Mariam has a miscarriage in a bathhouse. At this time, there is blood, which indicates the end of her temporary happiness.
Situational Irony
“He fished a sky blue burqa from the bag. The yards of pleated cloth spilled over his knees when he lifted it.” (pg. 70)
-The burqa is symbolic of Mariam’s hidden identity. Rasheed presents Mariam with the burka as it seemingly appears as a beautiful gift, yet it truthfully oppresses Mariam's identity.
Foreshadowing
“You see? This is what it means to be a woman in this world.”
-Nana expresses bitterness towards Jalil and how he told his wives that Nana had forced herself on him. This quote that she states regarding her conditions foreshadows the way that Rasheed will treat Mariam in the future.
Symbolism
“On the bus ride home from the doctor, the strangest thing was happening to Mariam. Everywhere she looked, she saw bright colors: on the drab, gray concrete apartments, on the tin-roofed, open-fronted stores, in the muddy water flowing in the gutters. It was as though a rainbow had melted into her eyes.” (pg. 87)
-At this time in the novel, Mariam is finally encountering a happy and positive experience. Her pregnancy literally has her glowing to the point that she is seeing the world around her as a beautiful place. The bright colours are effective in representing the euphoria Mariam bathes in.
Repetition
“When Mariam thought of this baby, her heart swelled inside of her. It swelled and swelled until all the loss, all the grief, all the loneliness and self-abasement of her life washed away.” (pg. 89)
The repetition of the word “swelled” is used to emphasize Mariam’s current happiness. This is effective because the fact that Mariam is so excited about becoming a mother makes her miscarriage all the more dramatic.
Symbolism
“Then there was blood and she was screaming.” (pg. 90)
Blood, going without saying often represents death or misfortune. In Mariam’s dreadful moment in the bathhouse, the mention of blood automatically indicates that something very bad has happened. This is an effective way of telling the reader that Mariam has lost the baby without directly stating it.
Alliteration
“Treacherous daughters did not deserve to be mothers and this was just punishment.” (pg. 93)
The alliteration in this passage is relevant because it reinforces the fact that Mariam is very upset and plagued with guilt and grief that she is unable to deal with. The alliteration is written in such a way that Mariam’s thoughts are expressed blatantly and without emotion. The way in which this is stated almost has a snide perception, as this is very fitting to Mariam’s self doubt and lack of confidence that is later intensified throughout the novel.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing
“This was a game that she played privately from time to time when Nana wasn’t looking. She put four pebbles in the first column, for Khadija’s children, three for Afsoon’s and three in the third column for Nargi’s children.” (pg. 29)
As a young girl, Mariam would play this game with pebbles in which each pebble would represent a member of Jalil’s family. This is Mariam’s way of making herself feel included in Jalil’s life, as she anticipates that one day maybe he and his family will accept her as one of them. However, later on, Rasheed forces Mariam to chew on pebbles as punishment for her unsatisfactory cooking, as she ends up breaking two of her molars. As the pebbles represent a misconception, Mariam’s belief that people who may be kind to her is eventually shattered as they truly ended up harming her.
Personification
“He described to her the green wheat fields of Herat, the orchards, the vines pregnant with plump grapes, the city’s crowded, vaulted bazaars.” (pg. 5)
The use of personification to describe the grapes effectively paints an image of what they may look like. The use of the word “pregnant” also contributes to the image of pleasant weather in which pregnancy is often associated with spring.
“Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.” (pg. 7)
-This simile is effective in which it paints a literal image of a compass, and how men in Afghanistan, in Nana’s opinion have overpowered women. The harshness of the simile exemplifies Nana’s detrimental character and the persuasive impact she has on her daughter.
Symbolism:
“She noticed that every time she breathed out, the surface fogged. And she disappeared from her father’s table” (pg. 50)
-Mariam is observing her reflection in her father’s coffee table. At this moment, he has decided that rather than taking in his abandoned daughter, her will give her away to a business acquaintance. Mariam’s breath could be representative of life, specifically her life, while the coffee table is symbolic of Jalil’s precious household. When Mariam breaths out, or imposes herself upon Jalil’s life, she essentially disappears, as if she means nothing to him.
Foreshadowing:
“What’s the matter with you?”
“You’re bleeding, hamshira!” (pg. 68)
-Upon Mariam’s first encounter with her neighbor, Fariba, Mariam is bombarded with questions regarding how many children she will have. Mariam quickly evacuates the conversation, and when doing so, she scrapes her knee badly. This is foreshadowing in which later on in the novel, Mariam has a miscarriage in a bathhouse. At this time, there is blood, which indicates the end of her temporary happiness.
Situational Irony
“He fished a sky blue burqa from the bag. The yards of pleated cloth spilled over his knees when he lifted it.” (pg. 70)
-The burqa is symbolic of Mariam’s hidden identity. Rasheed presents Mariam with the burka as it seemingly appears as a beautiful gift, yet it truthfully oppresses Mariam's identity.
Foreshadowing
“You see? This is what it means to be a woman in this world.”
-Nana expresses bitterness towards Jalil and how he told his wives that Nana had forced herself on him. This quote that she states regarding her conditions foreshadows the way that Rasheed will treat Mariam in the future.
Symbolism
“On the bus ride home from the doctor, the strangest thing was happening to Mariam. Everywhere she looked, she saw bright colors: on the drab, gray concrete apartments, on the tin-roofed, open-fronted stores, in the muddy water flowing in the gutters. It was as though a rainbow had melted into her eyes.” (pg. 87)
-At this time in the novel, Mariam is finally encountering a happy and positive experience. Her pregnancy literally has her glowing to the point that she is seeing the world around her as a beautiful place. The bright colours are effective in representing the euphoria Mariam bathes in.
Repetition
“When Mariam thought of this baby, her heart swelled inside of her. It swelled and swelled until all the loss, all the grief, all the loneliness and self-abasement of her life washed away.” (pg. 89)
The repetition of the word “swelled” is used to emphasize Mariam’s current happiness. This is effective because the fact that Mariam is so excited about becoming a mother makes her miscarriage all the more dramatic.
Symbolism
“Then there was blood and she was screaming.” (pg. 90)
Blood, going without saying often represents death or misfortune. In Mariam’s dreadful moment in the bathhouse, the mention of blood automatically indicates that something very bad has happened. This is an effective way of telling the reader that Mariam has lost the baby without directly stating it.
Alliteration
“Treacherous daughters did not deserve to be mothers and this was just punishment.” (pg. 93)
The alliteration in this passage is relevant because it reinforces the fact that Mariam is very upset and plagued with guilt and grief that she is unable to deal with. The alliteration is written in such a way that Mariam’s thoughts are expressed blatantly and without emotion. The way in which this is stated almost has a snide perception, as this is very fitting to Mariam’s self doubt and lack of confidence that is later intensified throughout the novel.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing
“This was a game that she played privately from time to time when Nana wasn’t looking. She put four pebbles in the first column, for Khadija’s children, three for Afsoon’s and three in the third column for Nargi’s children.” (pg. 29)
As a young girl, Mariam would play this game with pebbles in which each pebble would represent a member of Jalil’s family. This is Mariam’s way of making herself feel included in Jalil’s life, as she anticipates that one day maybe he and his family will accept her as one of them. However, later on, Rasheed forces Mariam to chew on pebbles as punishment for her unsatisfactory cooking, as she ends up breaking two of her molars. As the pebbles represent a misconception, Mariam’s belief that people who may be kind to her is eventually shattered as they truly ended up harming her.
Personification
“He described to her the green wheat fields of Herat, the orchards, the vines pregnant with plump grapes, the city’s crowded, vaulted bazaars.” (pg. 5)
The use of personification to describe the grapes effectively paints an image of what they may look like. The use of the word “pregnant” also contributes to the image of pleasant weather in which pregnancy is often associated with spring.
Part 2
Foreshadowing
“Outside, as she was climbing on the carrier pack of Babi’s bicycle, Laila spotted a car parked up the street, across from the house where the shoemaker, Rasheed, lived with his reclusive wife. It was a Benz, an unusual car in this neighborhood, blue with a thick white stripe bisecting the hood, the roof, and the trunk.” (pg. 110)
-The excessive use of description may appear to be insignificant, however, it is being used for a reason. The author is trying to bring the reader's attention towards the story of Mariam and Rasheed, suggesting that at some point Laila may become apart of their lives.
Simile
“They had played it for so long it had become a bedtime ritual, like brushing teeth” (pg. 110)
-This simile describes Laila and Tariq’s flashlight game in which it emphasizes the closeness of their relationship.
Simile
“Another groan. A hand emerged, ‘like a submarine periscope breaking surface and dropped.” (pg. 122)
-The use of this simile is descriptive in which it portrays Mammy’s hand appearing from the other side of the couch, as it effectively describes the state in which she is essentially unresponsive and secluded from the outside world.
Metaphor
“Mammy was now the curator of their lives’ museum and she, Laila, a mere visitor. A receptacle for their myths. The parchment on which Mammy meant to ink their legends.” (pg. 142)
-Three different metaphors are effectively communicated in this passage. The use of the image of a museum illustrates Laila’s true feelings regarding her mother’s worship of her deceased brothers. Through Mammy’s actions, she has convinced Laila that Ahmad and Noor were heroes, and that Laila will never equivalently impress her. Laila therefore views herself as unimportant, and a “visitor” in the museum glorifying her brothers’ accomplishments. The metaphors describing Laila as a receptacle as well as parchment paper is implying that Laila will never have stories that will live up to the magnitude of their greatness.
Parallelism
“Mammy’s heart was like a pallid beach where Laila’s footprints would forever wash away beneath the waves of sorrow that swelled and crashed, swelled and crashed.” (pg. 144)
-The use of this simile is very similar to the symbolism regarding Mariam’s reflection disappearing from Jalil’s coffee table. In this case, Laila is disappearing from Mammy’s figurative life, as her footprints are making no permanent impression in her mother’s mind.
Simile
“But we’re like those walls up there. Battered, and nothing to look at, but still standing.” (pg. 149)
-This statement was said by the taxi driver on Laila, Babi, and Tariq, in which he is comparing that the people of Afghanistan are symbolic of courage, as the collective may not be “pretty to look at,” but they still have dignity to be standing bravely. This statement is very effective in that it expresses the accomplishment of survival, which seems to be an important idea in this novel.
Allusion
“It told the story of an old fisherman named Santiago who catches and enormous fish. But by the time he sails his boat to safety, there is nothing left of his prize fish; the sharks have torn it to pieces.” (pg. 152)
-The story Babi reads underneath an acacia tree is “The Old Man and the Sea,” by Earnest Hemmingway. This story alludes to the plot of A Thousand Splendid Suns itself, in which both stories are a battle against complications, implicating hope in situations of hopelessness, and the demonstration of the unbelievable capability of the human spirit.
Simile
“Laila felt like she was no better than these pots and pans, something that could go neglected, then laid claim to, at will, whenever the mood struck.” (pg. 164)
-This simile is effective with the further development of Laila’s vulnerable feelings around her mother, in which she compares herself to an inanimate object, which is clearly an exaggeration, yet a purposeful association.
Symbolism
“And when the rockets began to rain down on Kabul, people ran for cover. Mammy did too, literally. She changed into black again, went to her room, shut the curtains, and pulled the blanket over her head. “ (pg. 172)
-Throughout this section Mammy’s change in clothing often represents political and emotional destruction the people of Afghanistan are experiencing. In this passage specifically, Mammy wears black and essentially shuts herself from the outer world, which can also be an expression of the withdrawal and avoidance she undergoes as a result of war.
Symbolism
“It’s the whistling,” Laila said to Tariq, “the damn whistling, I hate more than anything.” (pg. 173)
-The “whistling” Laila describes is directly symbolic of the rockets that rain down on Kabul, yet it can also have a more artistic meaning. The noise made by the rockets could also represent the destruction to emotion people are experiencing as a result.
“Outside, as she was climbing on the carrier pack of Babi’s bicycle, Laila spotted a car parked up the street, across from the house where the shoemaker, Rasheed, lived with his reclusive wife. It was a Benz, an unusual car in this neighborhood, blue with a thick white stripe bisecting the hood, the roof, and the trunk.” (pg. 110)
-The excessive use of description may appear to be insignificant, however, it is being used for a reason. The author is trying to bring the reader's attention towards the story of Mariam and Rasheed, suggesting that at some point Laila may become apart of their lives.
Simile
“They had played it for so long it had become a bedtime ritual, like brushing teeth” (pg. 110)
-This simile describes Laila and Tariq’s flashlight game in which it emphasizes the closeness of their relationship.
Simile
“Another groan. A hand emerged, ‘like a submarine periscope breaking surface and dropped.” (pg. 122)
-The use of this simile is descriptive in which it portrays Mammy’s hand appearing from the other side of the couch, as it effectively describes the state in which she is essentially unresponsive and secluded from the outside world.
Metaphor
“Mammy was now the curator of their lives’ museum and she, Laila, a mere visitor. A receptacle for their myths. The parchment on which Mammy meant to ink their legends.” (pg. 142)
-Three different metaphors are effectively communicated in this passage. The use of the image of a museum illustrates Laila’s true feelings regarding her mother’s worship of her deceased brothers. Through Mammy’s actions, she has convinced Laila that Ahmad and Noor were heroes, and that Laila will never equivalently impress her. Laila therefore views herself as unimportant, and a “visitor” in the museum glorifying her brothers’ accomplishments. The metaphors describing Laila as a receptacle as well as parchment paper is implying that Laila will never have stories that will live up to the magnitude of their greatness.
Parallelism
“Mammy’s heart was like a pallid beach where Laila’s footprints would forever wash away beneath the waves of sorrow that swelled and crashed, swelled and crashed.” (pg. 144)
-The use of this simile is very similar to the symbolism regarding Mariam’s reflection disappearing from Jalil’s coffee table. In this case, Laila is disappearing from Mammy’s figurative life, as her footprints are making no permanent impression in her mother’s mind.
Simile
“But we’re like those walls up there. Battered, and nothing to look at, but still standing.” (pg. 149)
-This statement was said by the taxi driver on Laila, Babi, and Tariq, in which he is comparing that the people of Afghanistan are symbolic of courage, as the collective may not be “pretty to look at,” but they still have dignity to be standing bravely. This statement is very effective in that it expresses the accomplishment of survival, which seems to be an important idea in this novel.
Allusion
“It told the story of an old fisherman named Santiago who catches and enormous fish. But by the time he sails his boat to safety, there is nothing left of his prize fish; the sharks have torn it to pieces.” (pg. 152)
-The story Babi reads underneath an acacia tree is “The Old Man and the Sea,” by Earnest Hemmingway. This story alludes to the plot of A Thousand Splendid Suns itself, in which both stories are a battle against complications, implicating hope in situations of hopelessness, and the demonstration of the unbelievable capability of the human spirit.
Simile
“Laila felt like she was no better than these pots and pans, something that could go neglected, then laid claim to, at will, whenever the mood struck.” (pg. 164)
-This simile is effective with the further development of Laila’s vulnerable feelings around her mother, in which she compares herself to an inanimate object, which is clearly an exaggeration, yet a purposeful association.
Symbolism
“And when the rockets began to rain down on Kabul, people ran for cover. Mammy did too, literally. She changed into black again, went to her room, shut the curtains, and pulled the blanket over her head. “ (pg. 172)
-Throughout this section Mammy’s change in clothing often represents political and emotional destruction the people of Afghanistan are experiencing. In this passage specifically, Mammy wears black and essentially shuts herself from the outer world, which can also be an expression of the withdrawal and avoidance she undergoes as a result of war.
Symbolism
“It’s the whistling,” Laila said to Tariq, “the damn whistling, I hate more than anything.” (pg. 173)
-The “whistling” Laila describes is directly symbolic of the rockets that rain down on Kabul, yet it can also have a more artistic meaning. The noise made by the rockets could also represent the destruction to emotion people are experiencing as a result.
Part 3
Simile
“Her legs felt heavy, as though weights had been tethered to them.” (p. 206)
Abdul Sharif visits to deliver devastating news to Laila. This simile exemplifies Laila’s feeling before he even stated the news, in which she had already realized the purpose of his visit. The metaphor emphasizes Laila's strong emotions towards the subject as she is physically affected by her knowledge of Tariq's death.
Imagery
“But her mind was far away free and fleet hurdling like a speeding missile beyond Kabul, over craggy brown hills, and over deserts ragged with clumps of sage, past cannons of jagged red rock. And over snowcapped mountains.” (pg. 208)
-While Abdul Sharif tells her about Tariq’s death, Laila’s reaction is portrayed with the use of imagery, as she appears to be not exactly present in their conversation. The description is used to illustrate Laila’s mental absence as the devastating news has her feeling not only far away from her current location, but also far away from everything she has ever known.
Simile
“Mariam sat watching the girl out of the corner of her eye as Rasheed’s demands and judgments rained down on them like the rockets on Kabul.” (pg. 224)
-Mariam compares Rasheed’s demands to be as destructive as the war, and the comparison she uses effectively defines how abusive he really is.
Foreshadowing
“Laila was still shocked at how easily she’d come unhinged, but, the truth was, part of her had liked it, had liked how it felt to scream at Mariam, to curse at her to have a target at which to focus all her simmering anger, her grief. Laila wondered, with something like insight, if it wasn’t the same for Mariam” (pg. 234)
-This passage foreshadows how the two women will eventually discover their similarities, as with our knowledge of both Mariam’s and Laila’s past adversities, we can predict that these characters will eventually become close.
Irony
“She was stunned that he’d used that word, in the face of all that the Mujahideen factions had done – the murders, the lootings, the rapes, the tortures, the executions, the bombings, the tens of thousands of rockets they had fired at each other, needless of all the innocent people who would die in the cross fire. Order. But she bit her tongue.” (pg. 266)
-Laila’s definition of the word “order” greatly contrasts with the opinion of the officer. As he is sending her, Mariam and Aziza back home to maintain this alleged “order,” Laila cannot help but to realize the irony of his words. This passage is effective in that it defines the brutality of the Mujahideen’s infliction on society and how corrupt Laila’s world has become.
Allusion
“That summer, Titanic fever gripped Kabul.” (pg. 303)
-The mention of the movie Titanic in the novel alludes to the similarities between the two plots. The story of Jack and Rose, and Laila and Tariq are comparable in that two people fall in love despite their differences. A Thousand Splendid Suns as well as Titanic illustrate the life and death the couple faces as their adversities draw them apart.
Foreshadowing
“And for the first time, it was not an adversary’s face Laila saw but a a face of grievances unspoken, burdens gone unprotected, a destiny submitted to and endured. If she stayed, would this be her own face, Laila wondered, twenty years form now?” (pg. 249)
-This excerpt does not only foreshadows Laila’s future knowledge she is about to learn about Mariam, but also her intentions to leave the household, as she appears to be unsatisfied settling with her current lifestyle.
Situational Irony
“He asked about Aziza’s father, and Laila had the strange experience of telling a lie that was really the truth.” (pg. 317)
-Laila’s conversation with the orphanage director leads to an ironic moment in which she lies about the truth regarding Aziza's father. This is effective in that it interests the reader in the complications of Laila’s life.
Symbolism
“She thought of Aziza’s stutter, and of what Aziza had said earlier about fractures and powerful collisions deep down and how sometimes all we see on the surface is a slight tremor.” (pg. 326)
-This quote puts Aziza’s statement into perspective, as her stutter represents a mask for her grief.
Parallelism
“Tariq said that one of the men who shared his cell has a cousin who’d been publicly flogged once for painting flamingos.” (pg. 330)
-The use of parallelism is effective due to Tariq’s unawareness of what Laila has been experiencing in his absence. The circumstance of being punished unjustly is a prominent component in Laila’s life regarding abuse received from Rasheed and the Taliban, and the parallel plots regarding Tariq’s story and Laila’s life is worthy of note.
“Her legs felt heavy, as though weights had been tethered to them.” (p. 206)
Abdul Sharif visits to deliver devastating news to Laila. This simile exemplifies Laila’s feeling before he even stated the news, in which she had already realized the purpose of his visit. The metaphor emphasizes Laila's strong emotions towards the subject as she is physically affected by her knowledge of Tariq's death.
Imagery
“But her mind was far away free and fleet hurdling like a speeding missile beyond Kabul, over craggy brown hills, and over deserts ragged with clumps of sage, past cannons of jagged red rock. And over snowcapped mountains.” (pg. 208)
-While Abdul Sharif tells her about Tariq’s death, Laila’s reaction is portrayed with the use of imagery, as she appears to be not exactly present in their conversation. The description is used to illustrate Laila’s mental absence as the devastating news has her feeling not only far away from her current location, but also far away from everything she has ever known.
Simile
“Mariam sat watching the girl out of the corner of her eye as Rasheed’s demands and judgments rained down on them like the rockets on Kabul.” (pg. 224)
-Mariam compares Rasheed’s demands to be as destructive as the war, and the comparison she uses effectively defines how abusive he really is.
Foreshadowing
“Laila was still shocked at how easily she’d come unhinged, but, the truth was, part of her had liked it, had liked how it felt to scream at Mariam, to curse at her to have a target at which to focus all her simmering anger, her grief. Laila wondered, with something like insight, if it wasn’t the same for Mariam” (pg. 234)
-This passage foreshadows how the two women will eventually discover their similarities, as with our knowledge of both Mariam’s and Laila’s past adversities, we can predict that these characters will eventually become close.
Irony
“She was stunned that he’d used that word, in the face of all that the Mujahideen factions had done – the murders, the lootings, the rapes, the tortures, the executions, the bombings, the tens of thousands of rockets they had fired at each other, needless of all the innocent people who would die in the cross fire. Order. But she bit her tongue.” (pg. 266)
-Laila’s definition of the word “order” greatly contrasts with the opinion of the officer. As he is sending her, Mariam and Aziza back home to maintain this alleged “order,” Laila cannot help but to realize the irony of his words. This passage is effective in that it defines the brutality of the Mujahideen’s infliction on society and how corrupt Laila’s world has become.
Allusion
“That summer, Titanic fever gripped Kabul.” (pg. 303)
-The mention of the movie Titanic in the novel alludes to the similarities between the two plots. The story of Jack and Rose, and Laila and Tariq are comparable in that two people fall in love despite their differences. A Thousand Splendid Suns as well as Titanic illustrate the life and death the couple faces as their adversities draw them apart.
Foreshadowing
“And for the first time, it was not an adversary’s face Laila saw but a a face of grievances unspoken, burdens gone unprotected, a destiny submitted to and endured. If she stayed, would this be her own face, Laila wondered, twenty years form now?” (pg. 249)
-This excerpt does not only foreshadows Laila’s future knowledge she is about to learn about Mariam, but also her intentions to leave the household, as she appears to be unsatisfied settling with her current lifestyle.
Situational Irony
“He asked about Aziza’s father, and Laila had the strange experience of telling a lie that was really the truth.” (pg. 317)
-Laila’s conversation with the orphanage director leads to an ironic moment in which she lies about the truth regarding Aziza's father. This is effective in that it interests the reader in the complications of Laila’s life.
Symbolism
“She thought of Aziza’s stutter, and of what Aziza had said earlier about fractures and powerful collisions deep down and how sometimes all we see on the surface is a slight tremor.” (pg. 326)
-This quote puts Aziza’s statement into perspective, as her stutter represents a mask for her grief.
Parallelism
“Tariq said that one of the men who shared his cell has a cousin who’d been publicly flogged once for painting flamingos.” (pg. 330)
-The use of parallelism is effective due to Tariq’s unawareness of what Laila has been experiencing in his absence. The circumstance of being punished unjustly is a prominent component in Laila’s life regarding abuse received from Rasheed and the Taliban, and the parallel plots regarding Tariq’s story and Laila’s life is worthy of note.
Part 4
Imagery
“In silence, Laila looked at their reflection, at faces that had aged beyond their years, at the pouches and lines and sags that now marked their once scrubbed, youthful faces.” (pg. 376)
-This imagery is effective in that it illustrates the time that has passed in the separation of Tariq and Laila, yet underneath their changed appearances they are the same people.
Symbolism
“I’m sorry” Laila says, marveling at how every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet, she sees, people find a way to survive, to go on. Laila thinks of her own life and all that has happened to her, and she is astonished that she too has survived, that she is alive and sitting in this taxi listening to this man’s story.”
-Laila’s conversation with the taxi driver puts into perspective the reality her people face. The story of Afghan’s is symbolic of what she describes: loss and imaginable grief. This passage is effective in that it illustrates how many have experienced pain in the same way she has, which is symbolic of a collective power.
Simile
“A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint.” (pg. 401)
-Laila’s comparison of Mariam to a “rock in a riverbed” is valuable in that it mentally paints of image of literally what she is describing. This is an expression how similar Mariam’s story is to an object that is literally unable to act upon impact.
Imagery
“Laila likes Muree’s cool, foggy mornings and its dazzling twilights, the dark brilliance of the sky at night; the green of the pines and the soft brown of the squirrels darting up and down the sturdy tree trunks; the sudden downpours that send shoppers in the Mall scrambling for awning cover.” (pg. 377)
-The imagery portrayed in this passage expresses a change in Laila’s life, as she appreciates her surroundings and notices the small details. This effectively shows Laila’s significant shift from disorder to serenity.
Symbolism
“In it she finds three things: an envelope, a burlap sack, and a videocassette.” (pg. 403)
-The three things Laila finds in the tin box from Jalil to Mariam effectively represent their relationship. The envelope is a symbol of the unspoken words, the burlap sack containing money is a gesture of apology, and the videocassette is the relationship Jalil wished he had with Mariam. The three objects represent Mariam and Jalil’s relationship in that it is apparent that it was never developed into something real.
Symbolism
“The orphanage playground has a row of apple saplings now along the east-facing wall. Laila is planning to plant some on the south wall as well as soon as it is rebuilt. There is a new swing set, new monkey bars, and a jungle gym.” (pg. 411)
The passage describes Laila’s efforts she has put into the orphanage are symbolic of her childhood, and how she was constantly reminded of friends and family that she will make a mark on the world. The orphanage fulfills this destiny.
Situational Irony
“May God grant you a long a prosperous life, my daughter.” (pg. 407)
-This quote is an effective example of irony because Jalil’s wish for Mariam does not come true, as his daughter dies at the hands of the Taliban.
Symbolism
“She slides in the key. It takes some rattling and shaking, but she opens the box.” (pg. 403)
-After Laila has been overcome by curiosity, she opens the tin box that was a gift from Jalil to Mariam. The moment Laila opens the box symbolizes the moment of Mariam’s past being temporarily brought to the present. This is a vital part of Laila’s life as she learns more about her friend than she ever knew throughout their time together.
Symbolism
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hid behind her walls.” (pg. 392)
-As Laila reflects upon her father’s farewell ode to Kabul, one cannot help but notice the symbolism this powerful quote bears. This quote could be symbolic of how in tough times; it’s difficult for people to see the light in the situation. The story A Thousand Splendid Suns encompasses the obstacles two women face, as one may imagine Laila would never be able to move on or forget her sad memories. However, Laila seems to have broken down the symbolic “walls” as she admits Mariam’s memory shines within her with the intensity of a thousand splendid suns.
Personification
"Kabul is waiting. Needing. This journey home is the right thing to do." (pg. 392)
Kabul expressed in a way that it seems as if it is a human being with emotions. This effectively illustrates the connection Laila has to her home.
“In silence, Laila looked at their reflection, at faces that had aged beyond their years, at the pouches and lines and sags that now marked their once scrubbed, youthful faces.” (pg. 376)
-This imagery is effective in that it illustrates the time that has passed in the separation of Tariq and Laila, yet underneath their changed appearances they are the same people.
Symbolism
“I’m sorry” Laila says, marveling at how every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet, she sees, people find a way to survive, to go on. Laila thinks of her own life and all that has happened to her, and she is astonished that she too has survived, that she is alive and sitting in this taxi listening to this man’s story.”
-Laila’s conversation with the taxi driver puts into perspective the reality her people face. The story of Afghan’s is symbolic of what she describes: loss and imaginable grief. This passage is effective in that it illustrates how many have experienced pain in the same way she has, which is symbolic of a collective power.
Simile
“A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint.” (pg. 401)
-Laila’s comparison of Mariam to a “rock in a riverbed” is valuable in that it mentally paints of image of literally what she is describing. This is an expression how similar Mariam’s story is to an object that is literally unable to act upon impact.
Imagery
“Laila likes Muree’s cool, foggy mornings and its dazzling twilights, the dark brilliance of the sky at night; the green of the pines and the soft brown of the squirrels darting up and down the sturdy tree trunks; the sudden downpours that send shoppers in the Mall scrambling for awning cover.” (pg. 377)
-The imagery portrayed in this passage expresses a change in Laila’s life, as she appreciates her surroundings and notices the small details. This effectively shows Laila’s significant shift from disorder to serenity.
Symbolism
“In it she finds three things: an envelope, a burlap sack, and a videocassette.” (pg. 403)
-The three things Laila finds in the tin box from Jalil to Mariam effectively represent their relationship. The envelope is a symbol of the unspoken words, the burlap sack containing money is a gesture of apology, and the videocassette is the relationship Jalil wished he had with Mariam. The three objects represent Mariam and Jalil’s relationship in that it is apparent that it was never developed into something real.
Symbolism
“The orphanage playground has a row of apple saplings now along the east-facing wall. Laila is planning to plant some on the south wall as well as soon as it is rebuilt. There is a new swing set, new monkey bars, and a jungle gym.” (pg. 411)
The passage describes Laila’s efforts she has put into the orphanage are symbolic of her childhood, and how she was constantly reminded of friends and family that she will make a mark on the world. The orphanage fulfills this destiny.
Situational Irony
“May God grant you a long a prosperous life, my daughter.” (pg. 407)
-This quote is an effective example of irony because Jalil’s wish for Mariam does not come true, as his daughter dies at the hands of the Taliban.
Symbolism
“She slides in the key. It takes some rattling and shaking, but she opens the box.” (pg. 403)
-After Laila has been overcome by curiosity, she opens the tin box that was a gift from Jalil to Mariam. The moment Laila opens the box symbolizes the moment of Mariam’s past being temporarily brought to the present. This is a vital part of Laila’s life as she learns more about her friend than she ever knew throughout their time together.
Symbolism
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hid behind her walls.” (pg. 392)
-As Laila reflects upon her father’s farewell ode to Kabul, one cannot help but notice the symbolism this powerful quote bears. This quote could be symbolic of how in tough times; it’s difficult for people to see the light in the situation. The story A Thousand Splendid Suns encompasses the obstacles two women face, as one may imagine Laila would never be able to move on or forget her sad memories. However, Laila seems to have broken down the symbolic “walls” as she admits Mariam’s memory shines within her with the intensity of a thousand splendid suns.
Personification
"Kabul is waiting. Needing. This journey home is the right thing to do." (pg. 392)
Kabul expressed in a way that it seems as if it is a human being with emotions. This effectively illustrates the connection Laila has to her home.