Shining Light on Oppression and Resilience: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns is a deeply moving novel that explores Afghanistan's turbulent history from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The intertwined lives of Mariam and Laila provide a glimpse into how political instability, conflict and religious extremism have impacted Afghan women. This article delves into how the protagonists' personal troubles are intricately connected to the country's greater political turmoil.

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”

A Thousand Splendid Suns establishes the close relationship between the personal lives of its characters and the political realities of their country. Mariam's childhood is influenced by her being an illegitimate child: a harami, forcing her to live on the margins of society. Her isolation and stigmatization represent the marginalization of women in Afghan society. From her mother's suicide to her forced marriage to Rasheed, Mariam’s personal experiences reflect the political events unfolding in Afghanistan. The overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of the Communist regime and the Soviet invasion all contribute to instability, intensifying the oppression of women, Mariam’s personal life becoming increasingly defined by her abusive marriage. Laila, who is born into a slightly more progressive family, finds her life turned upside down by the socio-political situation. Her father's progressive ideals and belief in education are deemed powerless in the face of the violence that emerges in Kabul during the civil war that follows the Soviet withdrawal.

The civil war that breaks out after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989 and the subsequent rise of the Taliban in the mid-1990s lead to the near-total collapse of civil society in Afghanistan, which is especially felt by the women in the novel, whose lives become increasingly constrained as the war drags on. The constant bombing of Kabul, the loss of loved ones and the daily struggle for survival destroy the social aspect of the city. Laila’s loss of her brothers to the war, her mother's descent into depression and eventually the death of her parents in a rocket attack showcases the personal cost of the conflict. The war also disrupts Laila's relationship with Tariq, her childhood friend and love, leading to Laila's coerced marriage to Rasheed.

Under the Taliban's rule, the destruction of civil society becomes complete, particularly for women. The Taliban's interpretation of Shari'a law takes away women’s most basic rights: education, freedom of movement and bodily autonomy. Mariam and Laila are subject to physical and psychological abuse from their husband, Rasheed, who is encouraged by the Taliban's misogynistic policies. The two women failed to escape Rasheed’s house, symbolizing the Taliban's hold on Afghan society, where women are powerless and voiceless.

“Each snowflake was a sigh heard by an aggrieved woman somewhere in the world. All the sighs drifted up the sky, gathered into clouds, then broke into tiny pieces that fell silently on the people below. As a reminder of how women suffer.”

Despite the overwhelming oppression they face, Mariam and Laila also embody resistance and resilience. Mariam and Laila’s relationship grows from one of rivalry into a deep friendship and unbreakable bond, which gives them the strength to withstand Rasheed’s abuse. When Mariam decides to kill Rasheed to save Laila, it’s a powerful act of defiance against the control of both their husband and the oppressive patriarchal society. She is then executed by the Taliban, highlighting her evolution from a passive victim to someone who takes control of her fate. Her sacrifice ensures that Laila can have a chance at a better life for herself and her children.

Laila’s return to Kabul after the Taliban's fall is another form of resistance. She represents the resilience of the Afghan people, choosing to come back to her homeland and rebuild her life. Through her work at the orphanage, her dedication to educating the next generation and her determination to create a new life with Tariq and her children, Laila stands strong against the forces that tried to destroy her.

“Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.”

Religion has a complex role in A Thousand Splendid Suns. On the one hand, it provides comfort and moral guidance to characters such as Mariam, who seek refuge in Mullah Faizullah's teachings. In contrast, individuals like Rasheed and the Taliban use religion to justify oppression and brutality. The book criticizes the fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, showing how it is used to control and bound women. Rasheed's selective adherence to religious customs is especially notable. Rasheed uses religion as a way to justify his abuse of Mariam and Laila, twisting it to excuse his cruelty while ignoring the true Islamic values of compassion and justice.

On the other hand, the novel shows how religion can also be a source of strength and resistance. Mariam’s understanding of Islam, influenced by Mullah Faizullah’s teachings, is based on kindness and fairness. This spiritual foundation gives her the strength to stand up to Rasheed and face her fate with dignity. Likewise, Laila’s decision to return to Kabul and rebuild her life reflects her faith in the possibility of a better future, even after everything she’s been through..

“And that, ...is the story of our country, one invasion after another...Macedonians. Saddanians. Arabs. Mongols. Now the Soviets. But we're like those walls up there. Battered, and nothing pretty to look at, but still standing.”

The Soviet invasion, the American support for the Mujahideen and the rise of the Taliban are all direct results of global power struggles played out on Afghan soil, the novel highlighting the devastating impact of these international interventions on ordinary Afghans. The Soviet invasion brings years of brutal conflict, displacing millions and leading to the rise of the Mujahideen, whose infighting leads the country into civil war. The American support for the Mujahideen indirectly contributes to the rise of the Taliban. The characters' lives are irrevocably changed by decisions made in other countries, which prioritize strategic interests over the well-being of the Afghan people. Laila's father's death, Mariam's execution and the suffering of countless of others are all collateral damage in a conflict driven by global power dynamics.

The novel's ending, set against the backdrop of Afghanistan's post-9/11 invasion, provides a glimpse of optimism while simultaneously reminding readers of the country's persistent impact by international politics. The collapse of the Taliban and the restoration of Kabul provide hope for regrowth, but the wounds of decades of violence linger.

©Ebrahim Noroozi | AP

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a moving exploration of the ways in which women were affected by the political instability in Afghanistan. At the same time, it is also a story of resilience and resistance. Mariam and Laila's journey showcases the strength of women in the face of unimaginable hardship and a reminder of the importance of hope and solidarity in the struggle for justice and equality.