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Analysis Of A Thousand Splendid Sunss

Decent Essays

Great authors use literary elements to develop novels. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Mariam, born out of wedlock, lives in Afghanistan. Afghan society refers to children born out of wedlock as a “harami”, Nana, her mom, emphasizes this to Mariam constantly. Later on in the novel, Laila, Mariam’s sister-wife has a harami herself. Khaled Hosseini uses characterization and tone to compare and contrast the ways Nana and Laila cope with having a harami, showing that Laila overcomes the stereotype. Hosseini uses characterization of Mariam through Nana’s upbringing to develop the subject of self-doubt. Mariam, born out of wedlock, becomes shamed and targeted by her mother, Nana. Nana always told her that she “was an illegitimate person who would never have legitimate claim to the things other people had, things such as love, family, home, and acceptance” (4). Not knowing any better, Mariam believes that she does not deserve the same personal rights as everyone because of her social status, even though she cannot control that. Nana blamed Mariam for the embarrassment, guilt, and shame of having a harami, making Mariam feel at fault. Nana makes Mariam feel lonely, undeserving, and insecure, because of her status, which she did not choose. Always dealing with Nana’s harsh words, it did not “occur to young Mariam to ponder the unfairness of apologizing for the manner of her own birth” (7). Nana’s hurtful words guilted Mariam into taking the blame over things she did not cause or

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