Symbols In A Thousand Splendid Suns

“‘One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.’” (192). In A Thousand Splendid Suns written by Khaled Hosseini, two girls living dramatically different yet similar lives form a true and lasting friendship against all odds. Their names are Mariam and Laila. All that they possess that is comforting is their relationship with each other and with Laila’s children. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Hosseini emphasizes the importance of hope through his development of setting, symbolism, and diction. In Hosseini’s use of setting there are in depth incorporations of the war and location. Hope is implemented specifically during war when hardships increase. “Laila looked up, saw he was weeping. She

“‘It’s all I have left to give to her,’ Mariam had said to Laila, ‘this knowledge, these prayers. They’re the only true possession I’ve ever had.’” (298). The knowledge is a conceptual symbol. Hosseini cultivates hope in both Mariam and Laila through the impact of knowledge from the Koran. The verses from the Koran that Mariam wishes to teach Aziza gives Mariam hope that Aziza will have something to remember her by. These prayers are giving Mariam hope, and Mariam hopes they will do the same for Aziza. Despite what Mariam says, the verses from the Koran weren’t the only gift that she gave Aziza. Mariam also made Aziza a doll. “Aziza has laid claim to the task of spraying and wiping the windows. The doll is never far from where she works.” (378). Hosseini promoted the idea that sometimes knowledge is not strong enough to keep a memory alive by creating the doll. It is something tangible that Aziza can hold onto from her past. The doll gives Aziza hope that Mariam will be with her throughout the rest of her life. Hosseini further enforced these symbols in a more potent manner by his particular selection of