AN ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL “A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS” The opening of the novel sets the books foundation for the book’s more macrocosmic themes.Nana refers to Mariam as ‘HARAMI’ i.e illegitimate child in order to suggest that Mariam’s birth was the consequence of an extra-marital affair.The term ‘HARAMI’ makes her upbringing as one that is illegitimate,a reference that ,Mariam herself makes in the later chapter.On the opposite side ,Jalil appears as the standard for “legitimacy”according to society