Tejpal
Apr 14, 2009
Book Reports / 'Inequality is wrong' - The novel "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini [2]
The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, is a terrific novel about two young females, named Mariam and Laila, who live together and marry the same husband during a dreadful war. In order to survive from the war and from their violent husband, both females must struggle and work together as a team. The story takes place back in the1990's when Afghanistan underwent a lot of agony. A group of young Muslim men, known as the Taliban, place laws on women. All the way through the novel, women inequality occurs quite often and is encouraged by many arrogant citizens. Letters are posted all over the city by the Taliban saying that females are not allowed to roam the streets alone. They must be with a male that is related to her. It could be a brother, an uncle, a father, a son, a cousin, or grandfather. "If they go outside, they must be accompanied by a mahram, a male relative. If they are caught alone on the street, they will be beaten and sent home" (Hosseini 248). Hence, it is clearly evident that the Taliban treat women poorly and rank men higher. One picture shows a woman being escorted by a very young boy. What can this little boy do to defend this woman from danger? Most people see this as disrespect and poor behavior towards females since they are not allowed to do many things that men can do. The Letters also state, "girls are forbidden from attending school" and "women are forbidden from working" (Hosseini 249). This clearly shows that women in Afghanistan do not even have basic human rights. In addition, the Taliban's laws favour men over women. The picture with the handcuffs relates to a woman named Naghma who tries to run away and gets punished. The narrator states, "Naghma tries to run off to Gardez with a young man she had fallen in love with..." (Hosseini 323). They both get arrested and get a punishment for their sin but the male gets to go because he says that Naghma had seduced him. Consequently the narrator states, "Naghma is sentenced to 5 years" imprisonment (Hosseini 323). This is unfair for Naghma since the man is able to speak while she is given no right to even defend herself. Another incident very similar to this is when Mariam, a teenager, is forced to marry Rasheed, a man in his forties. Marriage is a very big step in one's life and Mariam's father does not even listen to what his daughter has to say. The narrator states, "Afsoon tells her that her nikka will be tomorrow morning and there will be a bus leaving for Kabul at noon" (Hosseini 45). Thus, it is clearly evident that the women in Afghanistan are treated properly. Furthermore, the hospitals which used to serve everyone are now only for men. Women are now left with no choice but to go to hospitals that are lacking resources like, clean water, medication and electricity. When Laila is in labour, she is admitted to a Hospital but the doctor operating Laila informs Mariam that the Taliban will not provide them with supplies. The author states, "the [Taliban] won't give [her] what [she needs]" (Hosseini 258). Consequently the doctor states, "When NGOs offer money, the Taliban turns them away. They [send] the money to the places that cater to men" (Hosseini 258). This is shocking since the Taliban do not treat women fairly in this society. The Taliban fail to realize that these women are the ones who gave birth to them. This is a great example of disrespect to the women in this society. Thus, it is clearly evident that one can conclude that women inequality still exists in Afghanistan. Somehow, men have come up with this thought of having complete control over females. Both men and women are equal and are also reliant to one another. Today, people must understand that inequality is totally wrong and together we should try to remove these cruel difficulties women face in society.
The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, is a terrific novel about two young females, named Mariam and Laila, who live together and marry the same husband during a dreadful war. In order to survive from the war and from their violent husband, both females must struggle and work together as a team. The story takes place back in the1990's when Afghanistan underwent a lot of agony. A group of young Muslim men, known as the Taliban, place laws on women. All the way through the novel, women inequality occurs quite often and is encouraged by many arrogant citizens. Letters are posted all over the city by the Taliban saying that females are not allowed to roam the streets alone. They must be with a male that is related to her. It could be a brother, an uncle, a father, a son, a cousin, or grandfather. "If they go outside, they must be accompanied by a mahram, a male relative. If they are caught alone on the street, they will be beaten and sent home" (Hosseini 248). Hence, it is clearly evident that the Taliban treat women poorly and rank men higher. One picture shows a woman being escorted by a very young boy. What can this little boy do to defend this woman from danger? Most people see this as disrespect and poor behavior towards females since they are not allowed to do many things that men can do. The Letters also state, "girls are forbidden from attending school" and "women are forbidden from working" (Hosseini 249). This clearly shows that women in Afghanistan do not even have basic human rights. In addition, the Taliban's laws favour men over women. The picture with the handcuffs relates to a woman named Naghma who tries to run away and gets punished. The narrator states, "Naghma tries to run off to Gardez with a young man she had fallen in love with..." (Hosseini 323). They both get arrested and get a punishment for their sin but the male gets to go because he says that Naghma had seduced him. Consequently the narrator states, "Naghma is sentenced to 5 years" imprisonment (Hosseini 323). This is unfair for Naghma since the man is able to speak while she is given no right to even defend herself. Another incident very similar to this is when Mariam, a teenager, is forced to marry Rasheed, a man in his forties. Marriage is a very big step in one's life and Mariam's father does not even listen to what his daughter has to say. The narrator states, "Afsoon tells her that her nikka will be tomorrow morning and there will be a bus leaving for Kabul at noon" (Hosseini 45). Thus, it is clearly evident that the women in Afghanistan are treated properly. Furthermore, the hospitals which used to serve everyone are now only for men. Women are now left with no choice but to go to hospitals that are lacking resources like, clean water, medication and electricity. When Laila is in labour, she is admitted to a Hospital but the doctor operating Laila informs Mariam that the Taliban will not provide them with supplies. The author states, "the [Taliban] won't give [her] what [she needs]" (Hosseini 258). Consequently the doctor states, "When NGOs offer money, the Taliban turns them away. They [send] the money to the places that cater to men" (Hosseini 258). This is shocking since the Taliban do not treat women fairly in this society. The Taliban fail to realize that these women are the ones who gave birth to them. This is a great example of disrespect to the women in this society. Thus, it is clearly evident that one can conclude that women inequality still exists in Afghanistan. Somehow, men have come up with this thought of having complete control over females. Both men and women are equal and are also reliant to one another. Today, people must understand that inequality is totally wrong and together we should try to remove these cruel difficulties women face in society.
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