Gender Roles In A Thousand Splendid Suns

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A Thousand Splendid Suns
A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, examines the roles of women in culturally motivated Afghanistan. Hossieni explores the lives of two different women who both suffer under domineering cultural traditions, although their social backgrounds differ. Through the perspectives of both women, the audience experiences the extreme violence and sexism the women endure. In addition to this, Hosseini highlights how the disregard of gender equality under the totalitarian Taliban rule inhibits the development of Afghanistan.
Throughout the novel, women are constantly under the control of their husbands. These traditional views of marriage, as those such as Rasheed lives by, leaves women with the impression that …show more content…

As well as observing the assault Mariam mentally and physically endures, Laila also shares experiences of abuse with Mariam. The use of a second perspective allows Hosseini to reinforce this idea of gender inequality in the reader’s minds. In doing this, Hosseini allows the audience to comprehend the brutality of the women’s lives. This is expresses in the terrible bursts of violence Rasheed inflicts upon Laila. "Laila did not notice that Rasheed was back in the room. Until his hand was around her throat. Until she was lifted off her feet and slammed against the wall. Up close, his sneering face seemed impossibly large. Laila noticed how much puffier it was getting with age, how many more broken vessels charted tiny paths on his nose. Rasheed didn't say anything. And, really, what could be said, what needed saying, when you'd shoved the barrel of your gun into your wife's mouth?” (Hosseini, 2007: …show more content…

By her efforts, she is ensuring that young children, including girls, are receiving education for their future. The future of Afghanistan depends on the future generations of the country, and Laila’s gift of education is the greatest one she could ever give. Hosseini includes this scene in the novel to bring attention to how women contribute positively to the community, and exhibits the benefits of gender equality in a country like Afghanistan. This emphasizes how important gender equality is, to the audience, and how nations depend on both genders to create

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