Thousand Splendid Suns

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People say in high school you begin to discover who your true friends are. These friends support you through your best and worst moments. In middle school, I developed what I believed was this type of friendship, and that it would withstand the test of time. Sadly, our friendship grew apart as we discovered more of our identity in high school. Instead of using our differences as a tool to strengthen our friendship, it divided us into different worlds of high school. Despite the loss of that friendship, friendships of endurance are possible. In “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, written by Khaled Hosseini, Laila never gave up on the friendship she had with Mariam. Laila is young and outgoing, while Mariam is quiet and practical. These two very different …show more content…

With little freedom and stability in their trapped world of abuse, the girls use their friendship to bring hope. True friendships that are worth fighting for take hope, strength, and love to endure. Friendships require sacrifice in order to receive hope. When Mariam stands up for Laila by putting an end to Rasheed’s life, and taking the blame for it later on. This opens the door of hope for Laila by offering her a better life, away from “this unforgiving city” (Hosseini 253), and instead to a safer life with Tariq and her children. As Mariam calms Laila down after the death of Rasheed, she ensures her “not to worry, that everything will be fine.” (Hosseini 253) “For me, it ends here. There’s nothing more I want. Everything I’d ever wished for as a little girl you’ve already given me” (Hosseini 258). This selfless act of kindness shows Mariam has reflected on her life, and how she still sees hope for Laila and the children. However, part of Mariam is heartbroken with the thought of not saying goodbye to Aziza. “ ‘kiss Aziza for me,’ ” (Hosseini 359) Mariam said anxiously as some of her last words to Laila. When the two friends of looked back at each other one last time, this demonstrates Mariam’s sacrifice of staying behind, and taking the blame, in order to give hope to Laila. The hope of

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