Character Analysis Of Mariam In A Thousand Splendid Suns

Being forced into a loveless marriage by their family. Living according to someone else’s strict beliefs and rules, not their own. Feeling the immense, pressure of having to conceive healthy, male children in abundance. Facing ruthless violence from their husband. Staying silent, knowing that no one will hear their desperate cries for help in their unjust society. Living in constant fear and unease everyday of the deadly bombs unceasingly landing around their war torn city. These are some of the many hardships and struggles that Afghanistan women face during their life. A great illustration of their struggles is displayed in a character, Mariam in the book “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. Unlike the women that live with these struggle for their entire life, Mariam learns how to harness the power grown out of her conflicts Mariam has encountered and pushed through during her life. One of the female characters that display a significant evolution in character is Mariam. Her strength signifies the strength of not only Afghanistan women, but women, who …show more content…
At the beginning of the book, Mariam couldn’t muster the strength to stop or stand up to her husband. She allows herself to be raped several times, not believing she had the power to stop him. In addition, Mariam experiences multiple types of abuse by Rasheed. After enduring abuse and traumatic experiences, she learns how to channel her power for the greater good. At the end of their marriage Mariam stops Rasheed’s violent actions by doing the only act that will end his abusive behavior, she murders Rasheed. Not only saving Laila’s life, but having the ability then to take accountability for Rasheed’s murder displays her strength. Like many female Afghanistan women, Mariam faced hardships and struggles, but is able to overcome them to become a strong person showing the determination of