“In the most essential way, she had failed him-seven times she had failed him-and now she was nothing but a burden to him” (Hosseini 99-100).
Mariam is now useless to Rasheed because she cannot bear any children, and he now regards her as a nuisance. Before Rasheed knew Mariam could not bear children, he gave her presents and treated her kindly. But, when Mariam has seven miscarriages he starts to beat her for the smallest of reasons. Mariam knows she is not useful for Rasheed anymore because in Afghanistan a man’s reason for marrying a younger girl is so they will have more children and pass on the family lineage. Mariam cannot do this so she is despised greatly by Rasheed. This sense of female inferiority is a product of Afghanistan’s society …show more content…
Hosseini is suggesting that the women of Kabul are the suns because they are protected in their homes. These women, even when they are hidden, are providing warmth for Afghanistan, making them very important. Most do not realize their importance to Afghanistan’s survival. This reference ties in with the theme of the strength and importance of women to the Afghan society.
“Laila, my love, the only enemy an Afghan cannot defeat is himself” (Hosseini 136).
Hakim is telling Laila that the Afghans cannot win because their goal is to rid the country of war, but there is still domestic violence and patriarchy. The Afghans can defeat their enemy, the Soviets, but they cannot defeat the unfairness they themselves bring. Hosseini is saying that humans will never truly understand themselves. You can always defeat an enemy, but you can never defeat yourself. The brain and the heart will always be conflicting, but they will never outweigh each other. Logic and feelings will conflict because it is human nature.
“‘Everything I’d ever wish for as a little girl you’ve already given me. You and your children have made me so very happy’” (Hosseini
Mariam is now useless to Rasheed because she cannot bear any children, and he now regards her as a nuisance. Before Rasheed knew Mariam could not bear children, he gave her presents and treated her kindly. But, when Mariam has seven miscarriages he starts to beat her for the smallest of reasons. Mariam knows she is not useful for Rasheed anymore because in Afghanistan a man’s reason for marrying a younger girl is so they will have more children and pass on the family lineage. Mariam cannot do this so she is despised greatly by Rasheed. This sense of female inferiority is a product of Afghanistan’s society …show more content…
Hosseini is suggesting that the women of Kabul are the suns because they are protected in their homes. These women, even when they are hidden, are providing warmth for Afghanistan, making them very important. Most do not realize their importance to Afghanistan’s survival. This reference ties in with the theme of the strength and importance of women to the Afghan society.
“Laila, my love, the only enemy an Afghan cannot defeat is himself” (Hosseini 136).
Hakim is telling Laila that the Afghans cannot win because their goal is to rid the country of war, but there is still domestic violence and patriarchy. The Afghans can defeat their enemy, the Soviets, but they cannot defeat the unfairness they themselves bring. Hosseini is saying that humans will never truly understand themselves. You can always defeat an enemy, but you can never defeat yourself. The brain and the heart will always be conflicting, but they will never outweigh each other. Logic and feelings will conflict because it is human nature.
“‘Everything I’d ever wish for as a little girl you’ve already given me. You and your children have made me so very happy’” (Hosseini