These images (all images of Afghanistan occuring during the time period in Part 2) could depict some of the main plot points of the beginning of Part II (Laila's Story) of A Thousand Splendid Suns. While these moments are important, they are by no means the only significant points in these chapters. Here is a link to Getty Images collection of photos of Afghanistan in the 1980s:

https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/afghanistan-1980

After having read these chapters:

1. Select a single passage (this may be a single paragraph or several) that you feel best typifies the thematic importance of "shelter" in this section of ATSS. You may Copy/Paste from the PDF copy of ATSS on GClassroom OR clearly paraphrase the passage to familiarize your reader.
2. Explain the action and context of the quoted passage (you must cite the passage) and then,
3. Explain how your understanding of this passage (1) supports your understanding of the thematic topic, "shelter," (2) deepens the character development, AND (3) builds a central message that aligns with one of the unit's essential questions (see the main ATSS page).

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 100-150 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday night! 

At the end of chapter 1 in A Thousand Splendid Suns, Nana says to her daughter, Mariam:

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 (Hosseini 6).

In a thoughful and well-written paragraph, address the following points:

• Explain your understanding of this quote within the context of the story.
• Create a claim that either agrees or disagrees with Nana's warning to her daughter.
• Support your claim with anecdotal evidence from your understanding of society, historical events, or personal belief.
• End with a strong concluding statement.

Use your Pen Name!

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 75-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count at the end of your response. Due by 11:59 pm TONIGHT!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count at the end of your response. Due by 11:59 pm on Monday night!

Day One-PRIMARY BLOG ENTRY-After actively listening to the linked NPR Podcast, please consider these three topics. Select ONE of these three topics to respond to in your Primary blog entry. In this Primary blog entry:

• Label your entry with its topic.
• Answer the aligned questions in a soild narrative paragraph (word count below).

Day Two-SECONDARY BLOG ENTRIES-Scan through all of the Primary Blog Entries and pick TWO (ONE form each of the OTHER two topics). For EACH Secondary Blog Entry you may respond with your choice of the following types of responses:

• Agree? Disagree? Why?
• Continue the discussion.
• Add additional thoughts.

1. Historical Narratives & Power: This episode explores how Afghanistan has been shaped by both internal and external forces over centuries. How does the way history is told influence our understanding of a place like Afghanistan? Who controls these narratives, and what impact does that have on global perceptions of the country?
2. Geopolitics & Identity: Afghanistan has often been referred to as the "graveyard of empires" due to its strategic location and history of resisting foreign control. How has Afghanistan's geography influenced its role in global politics, and in what ways has this shaped Afghan national identity?
3. Colonialism & Its Legacies: The episode highlights Afghanistan's encounters with colonial and imperial forces, from the British and Soviet invasions to U.S. involvement. How do the long-term effects of these interventions compare to those experienced by other nations with similar histories of foreign interference? What patterns of colonial influence do you see repeating across history?

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 75-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm TONIGHT!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!

Written in the TONE that your pen name persona would use, introduce yourself and give a good description of what you look like. Get creative! You should identify your genus and species, your habitat, what you eat in order to help people learn about who you are. Finally, find a weird or interesting fact to add some depth to your character. Have fun!

For this Blog Response, Please select THREE of the textual quotes listed below. Copy each quote into your Primary Blog Response and underneath EACH quote, complete the following steps:

1. Pair the QUOTE with one the THEMATIC TOPICS (copy the topic beneath the quote).
2. In a brief paragraph (60-100 words), explain how this quote is EVIDENCE of the THEMATIC TOPIC that your paired with it.
3. Do this for EACH of the THREE quotes that you chose

*Be sure to ADD WORD COUNT under EACH paragraph.
** Use the pen name that you selected in class (Western Asian animal)
***Due by 11:59 PM on Sunday Night

QUOTE OPTIONS:

• “She [Mariam] was being sent away because she was the walking, breathing embodiment of their shame.” (p. 48)
• “I thought about you all the time. I used to pray that you’d live to be a hundred years old. . . . I didn’t know that you were ashamed of me.” (p. 55)
• “Where I come from, a woman’s face is her husband’s business only.” (p. 70)
• “Mariam grieved for this baby, this particular child, who had made her so happy for a while.” (p. 93)
• “But after four years of marriage, Mariam saw clearly how much a woman could tolerate when she was afraid.” (p. 98)

THEMATIC TOPICS:

• Man’s inhumanity to man
• Systematic victimization of women by patriarchal institutions
• Spousal abuse
• Resistance to victimization
• Power of education
• Education for women
• Corrupting influence of absolute power

Using the Pen Name that you selected in class, repond to the following blog entry:

1. Watch the attached video carefully. As you watch, consider the viewpoints of the women being interviewed. Think about how their lives are different now and what the future may hold for them.
2. Once you have finished watching the video, compose a brief paragraph that summarizes what you watched and offer a suggestion as to what they should/could do and how we (as people outside of Afghanistan) can help.
3. Consider countries (even our own) that you could make a connection with. How does this video shed light on women's issues in other countries?

Click the image below to watch the PBS NewsHour video.