In “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini, most characters, specifically Mariam, approaches events with immense hope for their future, however as they face reality their hopes diminish. Throughout the novel, the marriages are primarily forced due to the culture, which tends to cause issues. In this excerpt of “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, the despair and oppression of Mariam overpowers her hope of her marriage. This passage vividly Rasheed’s physical appearance which foreshadows his personality. Mariam depiction of Rasheed, “The big, square, ruddy face; the hooked nose; the flushed cheeks that gave the impression of sly cheerfulness… his nails were yellow brown... This is the face of my husband” (Hosseini 32) portrays her feelings
