A Thousand Splendid Suns Essay

On the surface, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and “One Tree Hill” could not be more different. One takes place in the oppressive, Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and the other takes place in a typical American small town. However, one huge similarity is found. The most common theme found in the novel and the television show is the theme of Identity, Family, and Connections. The theme of fathers leaving their families is found in both. Every child needs a father in his or her life, so once the paternal father left another man took his place, and this man is everything and more that the child needs. Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and the CW’s “One Tree Hill” have a significant similarity: fatherly neglect leading to the fatherly relationship between Keith and Lucas Scott and Mullah Faizullah and Mariam. In “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, it is seen from …show more content…
In “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, this character is Mullah Faizullah, Mariam’s tutor throughout most of her early life. The Mullah is Mariam's only positive role model as a child. Over time, Mullah Faizullah becomes a source of strength and comfort for Mariam. In “One Tree Hill”, this character is Keith Scott, Lucas’s Uncle and Dan’s Brother. He is a father figure to Lucas, and is everything in Lucas’s life that his real father is not. He is the only man in Lucas’s life that has a positive impact on him. Instead of Dan, Keith was at the hospital when Lucas was born. Deb told Lucas “Keith was there, and when the nurse brought you in she let him hold you. I’ve known Keith my whole life, and that’s the only time I’ve seen him cry. Your father never showed up.” (One Tree Hill). Both of these male characters end up dying during the book and series, and the role they fill in Mariam and Lucas’s lives is seen once they