Universal Values In 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'

Another article from the Symposium wherein Samyuktha Sivakumar explains the numerous values portrayed in the novel 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a novel written by Khaled Hosseini. The book narrates the journey of two Afghan women across a period of forty years. The book contains many universal values which are pondered over both implicitly and explicitly.

Mental strength

The book depicts the inner strength, especially of women, beautifully. The perseverance of the characters, especially Mariam is noteworthy. Although both the main characters in the novel suffer inexpressible mental as well as physical agony, they have the willpower to move on with their lives.

Although Laila is extremely saddened with the departure of her soul mate, Tariq, and by the death of her parents, she strengthens herself to face the rest of her life.

Mariam, however soft and compassionate in nature, does not hesitate to become aggressive when she has to protect her loved ones. She even goes to the extent of hitting her husband in the head in order to save Laila’s life. She is not afraid to stand up against immorality.

Affection and devotion

The book plays with these emotions in a very realistic manner. The author has written about the different kinds of love between Mariam and her father, Laila and Tariq, Aziza and Mariam as well as Rasheed and Zalmai. Though some characters are righteous and some are despicable, the ability of each of these characters to love is emphasized in the book.

The bond between Mariam and Laila is compared to that between a mother and a daughter. Overcoming initial hostilities, the two women become the support system of each other. They remain devoted and loyal to each other till the very end.

Patriotism

The author who spent his childhood in Afghanistan has channeled his patriotism through the characters in the book, especially Laila. Laila loves her country and is despaired to see the country being savaged by wars. Even though she escapes Afghanistan and lives in Pakistan with her family, she soon feels homesick. She wishes to go back to her country and serve the society there.

Towards the end of the book, she and her husband Tariq build an orphanage in Kabul to support the children who have lost their parents in the wars. Laila as well as Tariq exhibit a sense of civic responsibility in the book.

　
Human compassion

Many of the characters in the book are shown to have compassion even though some of them cannot lend a helping hand to the person who is suffering. Mariam’s father’s family is hesitant to let her stay in their house, but they treat her kindly. When Laila and Tariq escape to Afghanistan, a hotel owner pities them and lets them stay in his hotel. Human compassion can also be seen in the inmates who live with Mariam in the jail. They comfort each other despite not knowing each other when they are about to face their death.

Empowerment of women

The book steadily depicts the discrimination and the hardships faced by women in society. The ability of the female protagonists to resist physical and mental agony from denting their willpower is depicted repeatedly. Both Laila and Mariam are strong-willed women and seek comfort in each other when they are abused by their husband Rasheed. After years of pain and hardships, the two women are not afraid to stand up to their tormentors. Mariam is brave and courageous while Laila is a free-thinker.

Society

There are many instances in the book that reveal the dark side of society. The incorrect opinions about women in the society are personified by Rasheed while the helplessness of the people is channeled through Mariam’s father. The book also talks about all the tribulations Mariam has to suffer for being an illegitimate child. However, the book also tells us about the hope that resides in the people even in the darkest of times. The love and hope that Tariq carries with him ultimately unites him with his true love. The ability to create change by the people is reinforced towards the end of the book where Laila and Tariq build and start running an orphanage.

Triumph of good over evil

The book reaffirms the philosophy of triumph of good over evil. Even in the darkest of times, comfort and assurance can be found with a little hope.