A Thousand Splendid Suns Character Analysis

A good character does not form within a single night; it slowly develops over time. A good character is the result of patience. Little by little, day by day, it grows. Helen Keller once said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, tells the heart-wrenching story of two brave Afghan women from drastically different upbringings. Readers are immersed into these women's lives and experience the inequality, tragedy, pain, and suffering of the women of Afghanistan. A Thousand Splendid Suns teaches readers about the formation of a good character and how it reveals itself, how it develops, and how it is put to the test.
As the novel begins, readers are introduced to a young girl named Mariam. Living in the small village of Herat with a strict and stubborn mother, she is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy business man. As a child, Mariam lacks confidence and does not have much hope for the …show more content…
Laila takes part in the reconstruction of her hometown and helps to renovate the poor orphanage in which Aziza was housed for a short while. She cares for the children there, purchasing new furniture for the bedrooms and educating the orphans. With her good character, Laila encourages these children to be selfless and never lose hope. A good character is not easy to achieve; It takes time to develop. Mariam and Laila, two brave Afghan women from Khaled Hosseini's novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, display what it takes to have good character. These women, from two different generations, strengthen and support each other through the bitter inequality, tragedy, pain, and suffering that arises in their lives. Together, they develop a friendship that helps each of them achieve a good