A Thousand Splendid Suns (Part 3.1) Primary and Secondary Blogs

3/27/2018

The images above could depict scenes in Part 3.1 of A Thousand Splendid Suns. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters.
After having read these chapters:
-Select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the action and Hosseini's authorial intent in this section of ATSS.
-Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then,
-Explain how your understanding of this passage (1) supports your understanding, (2) deepens the character development, and/or (3) builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions.

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Friday night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59pm Sunday night!

Mahsheed

3/30/2018 09:48:34 pm

The images above could depict scenes in Part 3.1 of A Thousand Splendid Suns. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters.
After having read these chapters:
-Select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the action and Hosseini's authorial intent in this section of ATSS.
-Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then,
-Explain how your understanding of this passage (1) supports your understanding, (2) deepens the character development, and/or (3) builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions.

“Mariam had the impression that the baby too was examining her. She was lying on her back, her head tilted sideways, looking at Mariam intently with a mixture of amusement, confusion, and suspicion. Mariam wondered if her face might frighten her, but then the baby squealed happily and Mariam knew that a favorable judgement had been passed on her behalf” (Hosseini 242).

This quote is taken towards the earlier parts of 3.1, after Laila has agreed to marry Rasheed, and she has a baby girl named Aziza. Aziza is not Rasheed’s child, but Tariq’s, but after news of his death, Laila has decided to keep both her and her child safe and become another part of Rasheed’s family. Mariam despises Laila for taking her husband away from her, not in jealousy, but because Rasheed was all Mariam had, no matter what she endured. Things are tense between the two women in the house, especially since Rasheed’s favoritism seems to focus on Laila, and Mariam has made it a point to stay away from the younger girl. During this scene, Mariam has snuck downstairs in order to get some water to quench her thirst, but instead encounters Aziza wide awake while Laila sleeps.
I find this scene very important, because Hosseini is trying to convey to us the moment in which the start of Mariam’s hostility starts to wane. Because Mariam cannot have children of her own, it has caused many problems within her life. But here she is, facing the child of a woman she has come to hate, who is giving her undivided attention. Aziza’s innocence and naivety is softening Mariam’s heart, and they form a bond that is not meant to be broken in the later years. Hosseini is showing us the start of an almost Mother-Daughter relationship, that is essential to Mariam in healing. Mariam has endured so much, and never forgave herself for not being able to protect her children a way a mother should. But Hosseini is showing us that this is Mariam’s second chance, to love a child and be loved back the way she is meant to, and hopefully do her late mother proud.
(Word Count: 300)

Shahmir

4/2/2018 02:09:06 pm

I agree with you on the fact that Mariam tends to use her built up anger towards Laila because of that fact that she can’t have children; but also the fact that Rasheed favors Laila because she can. In the novel we see that Rasheed thinks of Laila as this very beautiful girl, and he compares Mariam to almost nothing. Although Mariam doesn’t want Rasheed to her own, or really at all, she likes holding the position of top wife. So, when Laila enters Rasheed’s and Mariam’s life, and is able to be impregnated, it upsets Mariam. Yet, through the pain Mariam feels, she is still able to love Aziza, and soon genuinely begin to love Mariam as well.

word count-119

3/30/2018 11:58:37 pm

“You try this again and I will find you. And, when I do, there isn’t a court in this godforsaken country that will hold me accountable for what I will do” (Hosseini 272).)

When I first read this passage, I felt very strongly about it, and I felt the need to comment on it. To see the anger in Rasheed’s body kinda intrigued me because he is truly psychotic. This quote was stated by Rasheed after Laila persuaded Mariam to run away with her and her baby. Rasheed then tells Laila that she can’t escape him and that if she was to try it again, that he would kill Mariam and her daughter in front of her before he killed her. This quote represents power within Rasheed and how inferior Laila is to him. Rasheed holds so much power of Laila because the government lets him, and she can’t go anywhere because the government won’t allow her. Laila and Mariam are living in a male dominated society, and they are stuck with the abuse of Rasheed. Laila used to be so happy as a kid when she had her father, and that man was really good to her. So, life is a lot different for her now that she is in an abusive relationship with a man that she had to marry to protect herself. However, through it all, Laila is still really strong so I doubt that she will give up on her rightful freedom.

word count- 213

Rashanak

4/2/2018 03:42:50 pm

It is very sad hay they live in this terrible nation. The women there are treated very cruelly and it is unfair how oppressed they are. I mean, these two women are abused by there husband, yet there is no legal defense for them because they are technically their husband’s property. I don’t understand why anyone would think it’s wrong for Laila and Miriam to run away. The only crime they were commuting was trying to escape an evil man, and they should be rewarded for that, not punished. It is wonderful that Laila can remain strong, and hope that together they will eventually escape Rasheed.

WC:106

Kiriana

4/3/2018 08:56:27 am

It is tragic that Laila and Mariam have no control over their lives and that Rasheed can do whatever he wants to them because he knows no one can stop him. It’s amazing how the both of them are still breathing after what he put them through. He shows no mercy and won’t hesitate to kill them because he KNOWS he can without major consequences. Their lives are just a glance of how often men take advantage and have no remorse for it. This is how women are viewed in their culture and it’s saddening because they deserve the same rights men are offered.

4/3/2018 08:56:48 am

WC:104

Giti

4/3/2018 12:53:19 pm

I agree that this quote is very representative of this section. Amidst all the women right’s issues there are personal problems, such as with Laila and Rasheed. He is an outright horrible and abusive man who has no regard for women, especially his wives. His treatment of Laila and Mariam demonstrate and represent the situation that is going on around them. No matter what they do or say Rasheed will always be able to treat them however he wants to. Also, there is no courts that will save either of them from what he decides to do. They have no personal freedom.

Word Count:102

Darsameen

4/3/2018 01:05:08 pm

I agree with your response about Rasheed being extremely controlling and being abusive. He may have some conflicts within himself, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for him to physically and mentally abuse Laila and Mariam. However, not that Laila and Mariam have become friends, they can protect and support each other against those who try to hurt them or Laila’s daughter, Aziza. In my opinion, it’s pretty selfish for society to allow men to have that much power/control over women. Laila would’ve never imagined herself being married to an abusive husband, but she had to do it for her child and that shows us how she is willing to put herself at risk in order to protect those she loves.
WC- 109

4/2/2018 08:33:09 am

"'Soon.' Laila kissed her daughter, aiming for the forehead, finding the crown of her head instead. 'We'll have milk soon. You just be patient. Be a good, patient little girl for Mammy, and I'll get you some aishee'" (Hosseini 270)

This quote exemplifies the shelter that Laila finds in her daughter. Aziza seems to be the only person left in Laila's world who loves her unconditionally. This is a shelter emotionally because it is very nice to feel loved by someone else. It is also a shelter because she knows that Aziza is really Tariq's son, which can also comfort her. After hearing the news of her first love's death, it is very nice that she has his daughter to remember him by. This daughter is very good, especially as a baby, and she also helps to bring Laila and Miriam together. Miriam was originally very harsh to Laila after she married Rasheed, but once Laila helped her avoid getting beaten, Miriam saw the baby with Laila and decided she would comfort it. This is another way the baby sheltered Laila because it helped her to gain a shelter in Miriam as well. This relationship helps them to try to escape Rasheed together, and even though it does not work and they are sent back to him, it seems that now that they have one another instead of being alone, they will be able to survive his harsh treatments and live in their terrible world.

WC: 205

4/2/2018 10:52:07 pm

I agree with how Laila provides shelter for Aziza. As a mother she responds to all the instincts happily, to give this last piece of her old life all the love possible. I also like how you brought up how Aziza was a factor in uniting Mariam & Laila, because it shows how Aziza became a shelter for them in return. She became a foundation for their blossoming friendship, and like you said it helps them to have someone in the terrible world they have come to know. This relationship can possibly shape how they each develop in the future, making them better people who learn to look out not only for themselves, but for the people they care about.
(Word Count: 119)

4/3/2018 08:42:29 am

I agree with this because Aziza created a bond between Laila and Mariam when before Mariam didn’t want to have anything to do with Laila. It is clear that Mariam is very fond of Aziza and found shelter in her because she was able to care of Aziza like she was her own daughter. After 7 miscarriages, Mariam was not able to truly experience motherhood and blamed herself for not being able to provide Rasheed of a son. Aziza is truly the light of their lives, unlike Rasheed who could care less about her because she is a girl.

WC: 100

4/3/2018 12:58:56 pm

Laila’s relationship with Aziza can be seen as hope for them all. As you stated she is, in fact, one of the only people either of them have loved. As a baby, her love is unconditional, and Laila grows a deep connection with her that shows how much she truly love her. But the existence of Aziza herself, seems to be heavy motivation for them to escape in the first place. Not only is Aziza a source of real love for Laila and Mariam, but she is also a symbol of hope and happiness. With her, the women have a reason to want better for their family and themselves.

Word Count: 105

4/3/2018 01:13:31 pm

I agree with your response since Aziza IS the only direct connection Laila has in this world and she is able to get back up and continue fighting for a better future for her daughter, even if she has to endure Rasheed’s abuse. Like you stated in your response, Aziza is Laila’s emotional shelter since she has lost everyone who she truly loved and she is also a symbol of her love with Tariq. I think Aziza has helped not only Laila, but also Mariam l, since she has given them a reason to fight for and deal with Rasheed. Overall, this little girl has become the base of support for Laila and Mariam, and in some way she proves that there’s a world worth fighting for.

WC= 115

4/2/2018 08:59:02 am

You do realize, hamshira, that it is a crime for a woman to run away. We see a lot of it. Women traveling alone, claiming that their husbands have died. Sometimes they’re telling the truth, most times not. You can be imprisoned for running away, I assume you understand that, nay?” -Hosseini 266

“What a man does in his home is his business.”-Hosseini 266

In this scene, Laila is being interrogated by an officer after her and Mariam were caught trying to run away from their abusive husband, Rasheed. After her several pleads to the officer, he refuses to let them go. Laila tells him if he sends them back, there;s no say to what he would do to them for running away. His response shows that they live in a male dominated country and no matter in any situation, it is impossible for women to survive. By law, women couldn’t even travel without a male guardian by their side.This one scene says a lot about women’s freedom in their country and how limited their rights are. Rasheed does whatever to them whenever he wants because he can since it isn’t “anyone’s business.” Because of this, Mariam and Laila have to constantly put up with his abuse.

WC: 210

4/2/2018 10:57:36 pm

I agree when say this particular response demonstrates how wrapped up Mariam & Laila are in a male-dominated society. Because of this, they, as well as women in general are at a severe disadvantage. They cannot have the same care as men, they cannot wear the same things as men, and they certainly do not have the same rights as them. They can't even escape the abuse they endure everyday because of the males that have betrayed them and returned them back to Rasheed. It's heartbreaking what they have to go through in order to see another day, or make a better life for all of them.
(Word Count: 106)

4/3/2018 12:23:33 am

After Mariam starts to grow a special love towards Laila’s child, she begins to care for her and show the love she never received. One day, after Laila noticed a stack of folded clothing for her baby, and simply decided to thank Mariam. Then, both women decided to simply converse while they had something to eat. In the novel, Hosseini states, "They sat on folding chairs outside and ate halwa with their fingers from a common bowl. They had a second cup, and when Laila asked her if she wanted a third Mariam said she did...a look passed between Laila and Mariam. An unguarded, knowing look. And in this fleeting, wordless exchange with Mariam, Laila knew that they were not enemies any longer" (Hosseini 250). Both of these women have endured Rasheed’s cruelty and physical abuse for a pretty long time and this bond that’s starting to form might be the key to their mental strength. I believe that during this time, women were isolated from having any other type of relationship besides the ones they had with their husband; women were basically seen as property, and men were the only ones who could ‘purchase’ them. Obviously, this jeopardizes their role in society, and self-worth. This new connection between Laila and Mariam will encourage them to open up to each other and they will eventually notice how similar yet different they are after all.

WC= 230

4/3/2018 07:55:12 am

There connection is very important. It was very sad initially when they all hated each other, but now that they’ve started to get along, they have found allies in a world full of enemies. They are greatly oppressed in Afghanistan, both essentially forced to marry Rasheed and then to function as his servants. It does inspire hope though when they become friends because it shows a chance that they could escape their enslavement and live good lives again. They have each been forced to live lives with terrible people, and it seems that with the friendship they have found within each other they may be able to be happy again.

WC:102

4/3/2018 12:46:53 pm

“As soon as she was in Mariam's arms, Aziza's thumb shot into her mouth and she buried her face in Mariam's neck. […] Mariam had never before been wanted like this. Love had never been declared to her so guilelessly, so unreserved.”
This quotes is explaining the first time Mariam grows a bond with Azizia, who ends up being almost like a daughter to her. The reason this quote is so important is because it is also the first time that Mariam connects to anyone like this. She has never experienced this kind of unconditional love. For her, everything and everyone has always been a fight. In general, this quote represents the part as a whole because we see how little connection and happiness these characters have. And we also see the importance of these connections even amidst all the horrible things going on around. Through all the pain and struggle, Mariam still craves something real even if that real relationship comes from the love of a baby. Most importantly, it shows us how innocent a baby can be in such a bad situation. Among all the madness, a baby shines a little hope on their life.

Word Count: 201

Zarafshan

4/5/2018 11:48:33 pm

I enjoyed your take on the effect of a child on a heart as worn as Mariam's; the unconditional love from a child, as you described, seemed to be the healing potion to fix Mariam's broken heart. I also found your take on a child serving as a ray of hope for the connection of humanity to be comparable to Rasheed's feelings and actions. For example, when Rasheed gets the boy he'd dreamed of for years, his entire character changes from a vengeful, angry man, into a completed, proud father.
Word Count 93

4/5/2018 11:39:57 pm

In Part 3.1 of A Thousand Splendid Suns, I feel the authorial intent of Hosseini was to emphasize how women were oppressed through the male dominance present in romantic relationships, as well as the open mistreatment of women by any male figure. I feel this is best shone by the actions of the man Laila and Mariam reached out to for help boarding the train. “Wakil handed tickets to the soldier, who torn them in half and handed them back. Wakil let his wife board first. Laila saw a look pass between Wakil and the militia man. Wakil, perched on the first step of the bus, leaned down and said something in his ear. The militia man nodded. Laila’s heart plummeted. ‘you two, with the child, step aside’ the soldier said. Laila pretended not to hear. She went to climb the steps, but he grabbed her by the soldier and roughly pulled her out of the line. ‘You too’ he called to Mariam” (Hosseini 263). Before discussing the actions of both Wakil and the soldiers, I feel the law to begin with regarding the traveling alone of women was unjust and served for nothing other than to hold power over women and their rights. This is helpful in developing the reader’s understanding of male characters and the use of fear on society to enforce immoral laws; while we cannot truly be sure if Wakil’s actions were influenced by the enforcement of the law or by his urge to hold dominance over his opposite gender, it can be easily concluded that the dominant male characters in this novel are unwilling to view women as anything more than an object.
Word Count 280

Farahnoush

4/11/2018 11:09:11 pm

"'Soon.' Laila kissed her daughter, aiming for the forehead, finding the crown of her head instead. 'We'll have milk soon. You just be patient. Be a good, patient little girl for Mammy, and I'll get you some aishee'" (Hosseini 270)
Laila finds shelter in the idea of being a mother. To Laila, the little things she can do for her daughter and provide for her daughter provide her with a feeling of happiness that can serve as a form of shelter from all of the other bad events that happen (or have happened already) throughout her life. Aziza also serves as a reminder of Laila’s previous form of shelter, her love interest, Tariq. So, this furthers the idea that Aziza is the ultimate form of comfort and shelter to her mother because she only represents the positive in a world that has mainly becomes filled with the negatives.

Allysiah

4/13/2018 06:50:49 pm

"Mariam never heard him call his daughter by the name the girl had given her, Aziza, the Cherished One. It was always the baby, or, when he was really exasperated, that thing." (Hosseini 237)

The complete entirety of part 3.1 was centered around the oppression the female characters were experiencing. This specific quote stood out to me because it was something that if it happened today, it would cause emotions of complete disgust and anger. It is so strange and saddening to think of how this was such a normality in this time period in Afghanistan. I felt saddened for Laila, mostly. This is because the thought of having Tariq's child made Laila so happy, but the poor treatment she and her newborn were receiving was just another instance of her shelter being ripped away from her. Sadly, this is not even the only time that Rasheed was cruel to Laila and Aziza. It was hard to follow his feelings for Laila; because one minute he was willing to hurt Mariam if she simply hurt Laila's feelings, then the next minute he was in a screaming math with Laila. This shows the complete disrespect Rasheed feels towards women, and the power he feels that he has over them. It is Rasheed that provides the direct oppression towards Laila and Mariam, but their surroundings surely do not give them a sense of equality either.
WC: 199

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