Words: 1136
Chalked Hussein portrays this woman as naive and two dimensional in the opening chapters. A young girl that admires her father and believes none of her mothers words as she is often cynical. With the sudden death of her mother Nana, Miriam loses a lot of the innocence that previously blocked the truth about Jail. Use of literary techniques, such as metaphors serve to show how the traumatic event began to erode Maria’s innocence, changing her into an older, more three dimensional person, “For the first time, Miriam loud hear him with Nana’s ears ‘I.
When Miriam marries Rehashed this completely altered her life and what she knew of it. “At the kola, she could tell the time of day by the angle of the sunlight pouring through the window, she knew how dare her door would open before its hinges creaked. Now all the familiar things were gone. ” Having always lived the same life, with same routine for fifteen years of her life, Maria’s character must adapt to her new environment and as a result she becomes more withdrawn, use of a simile in the phrase ‘ ‘The first few days, Miriam hardly left her room.. .Miriam stayed n bed feeling adrift and forlorn… Making her feel… Eke an intruder on someone else’s life” , this reveals the extent to which Miriam feels disjointed and introduces the new personality in Miriam character because of this Marge. Political power is one major change in Chalked Hussein’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’. At the beginning of the book Afghanistan is under the rule of communists and is then overtaken by the Taliban. This circumstantial political change affects the women’s place in society and is drastic and shocking for many women. “In fact Baby thought that the one thing the communists had one right was in the field of education, more specifically, the education of women. , this contrasts the ideology and laws enforced by the Taliban rule which insistent on the suppression of women and their education. Due to the political change in power, the attitude towards women becomes much more severe, Nana at the beginning of the book states “Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a women”, this simile shows Nana’s cynicism because of the events that shaper herself, Miriam changes her feelings towards men because of the suppression that the Taliban enforce on her and the other women.
Miriam listens to her mothers words but at this stage of the novel does not yet understand, when Taliban came into rule, she quickly learns to understand and undoing so changes. When Taliban came into power, people lost most of their freedom to be who they were, it seemed barriers were enplane to stop their changing, women were forced to wear Bursa’s to conceal themselves “Attention women … You will under no circumstance show your face… You will cover your face with Burma when outside. . Girls are forbidden from attending school. All schools for girls ill be closed immediately’ The direct speech from a Taliban soldier implies the sudden change of society and how women will no longer be able to different, they will be forced to be this way and not change. This provocative novel evokes many emotions for readers which makes it a memorable novel. The feelings that Miriam grew to have for Leila and Aziza were empowering and were a very positive aspect of each women’s life.
Chalked Hussein explores these positive aspects and shows that with time people change and that it is inevitable, but with forces such as the Taliban it is only a matter of time before someone breaks out to change the goings on. The laws enforced for women in the Afghan society seemed like barriers preventing them from changing but the friendship and loving relationship that the two women acquired pulled them through the tough time and showed that even in a situation like theirs, things can change for the better, that life had more to offer than a simple, naive life in a Kola or a little house where life is not as fulfilled as it could be.
Miriam undergoes many drastic changes in her life, from a naive young girl vying in a Kola out of town, who adores and dollies Jail, ” Admire Jail for his vast and worldly knowledge… Quiver with pride to have a father who knew such things ” to a young courageous woman that learns to rely only on herself to survive. When Miriam married Rehashed this completely altered her life and what she knew of life. At the kola, she could tell the time of day by the angle of the sunlight pouring through the window, she knew how dare her door would open before its hinges creaked. Now all the familiar things were gone. ” Having always lived the same life, with same routine for fifteen years of ere life, Maria’s character must adapt to her new environment and as a result she becomes more withdrawn, use of a simile in the phrase “The first few days, Miriam hardly left her room… Miriam stayed in bed feeling adrift and forlorn… Making her feel… Eke an intruder on someone else’s life” 62, this reveals the extent to which Miriam feels disjointed and introduces the new personality in Miriam character because of this marriage. As a result of Rehashed then marrying Leila, this brings out cynicism and bitterness towards Leila, however as the novel progresses the close friendship develops between Miriam and Leila, Miriam feels love towards Leila and her daughter Aziza, a feeling she has never felt before “But Aziza only muttered contentedly and dug her face in deeper.
And when she did that her heart took flight (Maria’s heart)” Peg. 246. Use of a metaphor confirms the feelings Miriam has for this relationship and the change that they have brought to her life, the happiness. As Leila becomes close to Miriam, they for a strong alliance which helps both women overcome the hardships and happenings of their lives with Rehashed, use of Symbolism such as “They at hallway with their fingers from a common owl” peg 244 classify the newfound unity of Miriam and Leila and brings hope to the audience that this change with provide some comfort for the women.
When Miriam kills Rehashed this is a catalyst for her action and her desire for things to change. A severe discontent of her lifestyle swell as an instinct, out of love, to protect herself, Leila and Aziza. Without her past events Miriam would probably not have been able to kill her abusive husband and in this particular event the audience see’s the courage that Miriam has acquired through living with Rehashed.