How Does A Thousand Splendid Suns Relate To Belonging

Belonging is a multi-faceted concept that can be achieved through a variety of opportunities and disappointments. While some individuals experience belonging, or lack of belonging to people, others experience this with groups of people. It is to a great extent that Khaled Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ explores these concepts. Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ examines that the need for an individual to belong with another person can affect interfamilial relationships, especially how that brings about opportunities and disappointments.

Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ explores the idea that the need for an individual to belong with another person can affect interfamilial relationships, and how that brings about opportunities. …show more content…
This provides opportunities, whether it be romantic or platonic relationships. Laila is an excellent example in this situation, her abusive relationship with Rasheed caused her to turn to Tariq in search of safety for herself and her children.The extreme difference between Laila’s relationship with Rasheed, and Tariq is evident in the treatment of her. Hosseini’s use of personification to convey the feeling of love towards Laila. The narrator states “Most times, Laila and Tariq make love in silence, with controlled muted passion […] But for Laila, being with Tariq is worth weathering these apprehensions. When they make love, Laila feels anchored, she feels …show more content…
The desire to belong with another person can result in a break down in interfamilial relationships, which is evident in Mariam’s relationship with her mother, regarding the lack of a deeper relationship with her father, Jalil. The disappointment and sorrow brought upon Mariam through the realisation that her mother, Nana, took her life because Mariam was ‘leaving her’ to pursue a deeper relationship with her father. Nana displays a cynical view on life, especially of men. This is clear when she explains to Mariam that “A man's heart is a wretched, wretched thing, Mariam. It isn't like a mother's womb. It won't bleed, it won't stretch to make room for you”. Hosseini's use of a metaphor draws a comparison towards the accepting nature of a woman, and the unloving nature of a man. Nana’s own experiences of rejection from men, such as Jalil, only further’s her bitterness. This is further emphasised in Nana’s lesson to Mariam. “Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.” The use of a simile in relation to the compass needle, draws an immediate comparison towards a significant object that holds great certainty and reliance for one’s sense of direction. It is