Quarter 1 Book Report A Thousand Splendid Suns

Part 1:
1. Significance of the Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns title comes from an ode to
Kabul, some of the main settings in the novel. It is in reference to the city itself.
Khaled Hosseini uses the title to reference both women in Afghanistan during this
time and the city of Kabul. In the beginning of the novel, the title is somewhat
meaningless; it isnt until part two that we are introduced to the poem when Babi
is reading to his daughter Laila.
2. The author and his times: Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan
March 4, 1965. He spent some time as a doctor before becoming novelist, he grew
up in Afghanistan until he was 11, and returning o home country was what
inspired his novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. He has written three novel, all of
which pertain to the theme of sacrifice and family.
3. Form, Structure and Plot: A Thousand Splendid Suns is organized in four
different parts each following one main character at a time. The first part follows
Mariam; the second, Laila and parts three and four alternate. The novel follows
parallel events in both womens lives until eventually they meet. The time covered
in the novel spend from spring of 1974 until April 2003.
4. Point of View: The novel is told in third person omniscient limited point of view.
There is a shift in focus throughout the story back and forth between main
characters. By using this point of view, the author manages to give us further
insight on both main characters feelings and thoughts about the events occurring
in their lives throughout the span of the novel.
5. Main Characters: Both of the main characters in this novel are round and
dynamic. Mariam and Laila are both women who grow up in wartime in
Afghanistan. Their experiences throughout war times shape and change them into
completely different people from beginning to end of the novel. Hosseini first
reveals Mariam, and then further along the novel reveals Laila through her
mother.
a. Mariam, 5-mid 40s
b. Strong, heroic, selfless
c. Mariams function in the novel is to sacrifice her. She is a martyr who
looses her life because she is not willing to let the people she loves suffer.
Mariams character is seen as soft and weak on the outside, but is actually
strong and courageous on the inside.
d. The name Mariam is Arabic for mother of Jesus. Mariam was named by
her mother, who didnt think much of it, but with more insight; the name
makes a foreshadow on Mariams selflessness.
e. Mariam wished for so much in those final moments. Yet as she closed her
eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace that
washed over her. She thought of her entry into this world, the harami child
of a lowly villager, an unintended thing, a pitiable, regrettable accident. A
weed. And yet she was leaving the world as a woman who had loved and
been loved back. She was leaving it as a friend, a companion, and a
guardian. A mother. A person of consequence at last. No. It was not so bad,

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Mariam thought, that she should die this way. Not so bad. This was a
legitimate end to a life of illegitimate beginnings (329).
This quote perfectly demonstrates Mariam because it gives insight on all
of Mariams thoughts. She is finally in acceptance with herself, with how
Mariam is okay with giving her life up now that she knows she has
accomplished something. Now that she is loved and cared for, that she is
not what she mother said she was, a worthless harami.
Minor Characters:
a. Tariq
b. Tariq is Lailas reason for enduring. She lives her whole life trying to be
strong and the best version of herself she can be for her love Tariq. When
she believes him f or dead she wants to keep his memory alive with his
child and does everything she can to remember him.
c. That I only have eyes for you.
Laila swooned inside. She tried to read his face but was met by a look that
was indecipherable: the cheerful, craterous grin at odds worth the narrow,
half desperate look in his eyes (153).
This quote shows Tariqs undying love for Laila, and Lailas happiness
towards Tariq. Tariq spends all of his life in love with Laila and she does
as well, their love is what pushes them to survive.
Setting: The novel takes place during a terrible bloodshed war in the country of
Afghanistan. It spans the whole duration of the war between the communists and
the native people; also between the Taliban and the U.S. Throughout the novel,
the description of the land dramatically changes. In Kabul, it is first described as
modern and free, but once war breaks out it is sad, desolate and dangerous. Heart
is also described much like Kabul, once war breaks out, the setting changes. The
setting is one of the most important aspects f the novel, it is directly influential to
the plot and often is what influences characters throughout the novel.
Diction: The language in the novel is informal. Often there are words used like
harami, which means bastard, and often there are curse words. Many of them in
foreign languages of people spoken in Afghanistan. There is also lyrical language
all throughout the novel. For example, the author often uses lyrical language when
describing Lailas love for her children and Mariam. He often uses references to
poems or the Koran that gives insight to the reader. There are many occasions
throughout the novel that use imagery, mostly to describe the setting and changes
throughout the surroundings of the main characters due to war or violence.
Imagery: The Bayan Valley below was carpeted by lush farming fields. Babi
said they were green winter wheat and alfalfa, potatoes too. The fields were
bordered by poplars and crisscrossed by streams and irrigation ditches, on the
banks of which tiny female figures squatted and washed clothes. Babi pointed to
rice paddies and barley fields draping the slopes. It was autumn, and Laila could
make out people in bright tunics on the roofs of mud brick dwellings laying out
the harvest to dry. The main road going through the town was poplar-lined too.
There were small shops and teahouses and street-side bar- beers on either side of
it. Beyond the village, beyond the river and the streams, Laila saw foothills, bare

and dusty brown, and, beyond those, as beyond everything else in Afghanistan,
the snowcapped Hindu Kush (134).
10. Figurative Language: As Tariq talked, Laila pictures her life as a rotted rope,
snapping, unraveling (163).
This simile is used to compare Lailas life to and old rotting rope that is slowly
unraveling before her. It is used to emphasize how Laila feels about her life at the
moment. How she feels like she has lost all hope.
11. Summary:
Mariam has a mean mother who kills herself when she leaves.
Mariam is forced to marry a man, Rasheed and move to Kabul.
Mariam is pregnant but miscarriages and has to suffer abuse from her
husband.
Laila is born into another family.
Lailas brother die during the war and she falls in love with Tariq, one of
her friends.
Tariq moves away to seek refuge from war.
Laila and her family are about to leave but her family is killed in a
bombing.
Mariam and her husband who then also marries Laila rescue Laila.
Laila gives birth to Tariq daughter and then has another child by Rasheed
named Zalami.
Tariq returns and Mariam kills Rasheed.
Mariam sacrifices her life so Tariq and Laila can run away.
Tariq and Laila marry and have more kids; Mariam is sentenced to death
for killing Rasheed.
Mariam is born into an unloving sad family and is forced to marry a man named
Rasheed after her mother kills herself. She survives years of abuse and fails to spawn any
children; Laila, after becoming an orphan marries Rasheed out of desperation. Both
woman care deeply for each other and Mariam sacrifices her life after killing Rasheed in
order to give Laila, and her love Tariq and their children a chance at being happy in a war
free country.
12. Theme: Love can prosper in the darkest of times.
13. Memorable passage:
a. When they first came back to Kabul, it distressed Laila that she didn't
know where the Taliban had buried Mariam. She wished she could visit
Mariam's grave, to sit with her awhile, leave a flower or two. But Laila
sees now that it doesn't matter. Mariam is never very far. She is here, in
these walls they've repainted, in the trees they've planted, in the blankets
that keep the children warm, in these pillows and books and pencils. She is
in the children's laughter. She is in the verses Aziza recites and in the
prayers she mutters when she bows westward. But, mostly, Mariam is in
Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a
thousand suns (366).
b. This passage captures the essence of the whole novel because it comes
back to the roots. Laila has returned to Kabul, the place that witnessed

many of the important events in the novel. She is remembering Mariam,

the person who is responsible for her survival of the terrible days she spent
while her country was at war. Mariam survived everything and her
memory is still alive with Laila, her presence, her sacrifice is what keeps
Laila going.
14. Additional Comments: A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of the best books I
have read so far. I greatly enjoyed reading the book and varying along with the
characters. This novel sheds light on how many women and people suffered
through war times in Afghanistan. It brings up issues of poverty, warfare,
inequality, love, etc. with such a great plot and attention grabbing way. The only
part that I disliked was the ending, I had wished with all my heart that Mariam
survived and had a happy ending.

Part 2: Figurative Devices

1. Personification
a. Laila settles back in her seat, blinking the wetness from her eyes. Kabul
is waiting. Needing. (347).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses
personification to bring alive the city of Kabul. The setting of this novel
plays a very important role. By bringing alive the city and saying that
Kabul is waiting, the author, adds a sense of nostalgia to the mood. We
become more aware of how Laila feels towards returning home. Laila
reminisces about her time spent in Kabul and becomes intoxicated with
the idea of returning.
2. Dramatic Irony
a. The old man is looking at her quizzically. The film on the screen is Walt
Disneys Pinocchio. Laila doesnt understand (357).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses
dramatic irony to emphasize the impotence of the film. The film Pinocchio
first appears at the beginning of the novel when Mariam and her father
Jalil talk about it, at this particular moment, Laila watches the tape Jalal
left for Mariam and doesnt understand the important. Jalal left it for
Mariam as a token of forgiveness for leaving her behind and not acing her
to the cinema. By using this irony, the author manages to give the reader
insight of Jalils feeling towards his daughter that where only revealed
now.
3. Simile
a. Mariam did surmise, by the way Nana said the word, that is was an ugly,
loathsome thing to be a harami, like an insect, like the scurrying
cockroaches Nana was always cursing and sweeping out of the kolba (4).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses a
simile comparing an orphan to an insect. Mariam feels this way about
herself after her mother calls her a harami, an orphan. The author uses this
simile to give us insight on how Mariam is deeply affected with what her
mother tells her.
4. Metaphor
a. But Laila knew that her future was no match for her brothers past. They
had overshadowed her in life. They world overshadow her in death.
Mammy was now the curator of their lives museum and she, Laila, a mere
visitor (128).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses a
metaphor to add to the distance between Laila and her mother. Lailas
mother has been neglecting her because of her brothers absence. This has
taken a toll on Laila and the author uses this metaphor to emphasize this.
5. Situational Irony
a. May God grant you a long and prosperous life, my daughter (360).
b. Purpose: In the Novel A thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses
situational irony that describes how Jalal wanted his daughter to live, but

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she lived the opposite way. Jalal hopes that his daughter will live along
life, but she has already died because of the murder she committed.
Allusion
a. That was also the summer of Titanic, the summer that Mariam and Aziza
were a tangle of limbs, rolling and giggling" (221).
b. Pupose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini uses an
allusion that references the movie Titanic to compare it to Tariq and Laila.
Much like Tariq and Laila, Jack and Rose beat odds to be with each other.
Fate put them with other people and separated them from each other, but
their love beats all odds and they find each other again. By adding this
allusion, the author changes the tone to a more romantic one.
Imagery
a. She heads toward the mountains, toward the weeping willows, which she
can see now, the long drooping branches shaking with each gust of wind.
In her chest, her heart is drumming. She sees that the willows are arranged
as Mariam had said, in a circular grove with a clearing in the middle. Laila
walks faster, almost running now. She looks back over her shoulder and
sees that Hamza is a tiny figure, his chapan a burst of color against the
brown of the trees' bark. She trips over a stone and almost falls, then
regains her footing. She hurries the rest of the way with the legs of her
trousers pulled up. She is panting by the time she reaches the willows.
Mariam'skolba is still here (353).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses
imagery to further establish the relationship shared between Laila and
Mariam. The imagery provides a deeper understanding of how much Laila
knew about Mariam and how much she cared for her. The imagery shifts
the mood from serious to a more light- hearted one.
Symbol
a. Mariam had never before worn a burqa. Rasheed had to help her put it
on. The padded headpiece felt tight and heavy on her skull, and it was
strange seeing the world through a mesh screen.
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses a
symbol to add depth to Mariams character. Hosseini utilized a burqa to
not only symbolize Mariam hiding, but also to symbolize Mariams fear.
Maria uses the Burqa as instructed by Rasheed, but soon finds some
comfort by using it. She describes that it feels strange and heavy, but
soon adjusts. By using the burqa as a symbol, the author gives the reader
insight on how Mariam feels frightened with her new surroundings and
new life as a wife.
Paradox
a. This was a legitimate end to a life of illegitimate beginnings (329).
b. Purpose: In the novel A thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses a
paradox that is said by Mariam to give the reader further insight on her
thoughts. Mariam expresses that her life was full of illegitimate
beginnings. This shows how Mariam saw he life as meaningless.

10. Hyperbole
a. "Did you know that he used to drink sharab back then, that he was crying
drunk that day? It's true. Crying drunk, is what I heard. And that was
midmorning. By noon, he had passed out on a lounge chair. You could
have fired the noon cannon next to his ear and he wouldn't have batted an
eyelash" (233).
b. Purpose: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini uses a
hyperbole that helps add emphasis to Rasheeds laziness. One of the
women says that he couldnt be woken up, not even by a cannon. This
shows that Rasheed is a lazy man. The author uses this hyperbole to
further add depth to Rasheed as the antagonist in the novel.

Part 3: Diamantes
Setting:

Characters:

Themes:

Characters:

Heart
Lonely, traditional
Hiding, crying, dying
Mariam, Jalal, Buddha statues Rasheed
Suffering, marrying, sacrificing
Modern, bloody
Kabul
Mariam
Clever, strong
Enduring, conforming, praying
Mullah Faizullah, Heart, Babi, Kabul
Reading, studying, loving
Clever, beautiful
Laila
Love
Strong, deep
Waiting, hoping, longing
Tariq, Laila, Taliban, World War I
Dying, running, surviving
Scary, long
War
Rasheed
Fat, angry
Hitting, building, abusing
Shoe store, Zalami, prosthetics, Aziza
Waiting, loving, surviving
Kind, handsome
Tariq

Part 4: Important Quotes

1. But he wasn't fast enough. Mariam saw. A gust of wind blew and parted the
drooping branches of the weeping willow like a curtain, and Mariam caught a
glimpse of what was beneath the tree: the straight-backed chair, overturned. The
rope dropping from a high branch. Nana dangling at the end of it (34).
a. This quote is important because it is the time Mariam sees her mother
dead. Her mother had warned her that if she left, she would kill herself.
Mariam is now alone in the world and left to fend for herself.
2. In the mirror, Mariam had her first glimpse of Rasheed: the big, square, ruddy
face; the hooked nose; the flushed cheeks that gave the impression of sly
cheerfulness; the watery, bloodshot eyes; the crowded teeth, the front two pushed
together like a gabled roof; the impossibly low hairline, barely two finger widths
above the bushy eyebrows; the wall of thick, coarse, salt-and-pepper hair.
Their gazes met briefly in the glass and slid away.
This is the face of my husband, Mariam thought (62).
a. This quote is important because it gives us insight as to how Mariam feels
about Rasheed. She is finally realizing that she must grow up fast in order
to recognize what is going on.
3. Mammy was soon asleep, leaving Laila with dueling emotions: reassured that
Mammy meant to live on, stung that she was not the reason. She would never
leave her mark on Mammy's heart the way her brothers had, because Mammy's
heart was like a pallid be- ach where Laila's footprints would forever wash away
beneath the waves of sorrow that swelled and crashed, swelled and crashed
(130).
a. This quote is important because it shows the first time Laila realizes that
she is not match for her brothers memory and feelings in her mothers
heart. She finally comes to terms that her mother will always put her
brothers before her.
4. They both laughed. Then Tariq remarked that her hair was getting longer. "It's
nice," he said Laila hoped she wasn't blushing- "You changed the subject."
"From what?""The empty-headed girls who think you're sexy." "You know."
"Know what?""That I only have eyes for you (153).
a. This quote is important because it showcases how Tariq and Laila feel for
each other. It is one of the first times in the novel that we kind evidence of
their love.
5. She remembered Babi, white-faced, slumping on the couch, and Mammy, her
hand flying to her mouth when she heard. Laila had watched Mammy come
undone that day and it had scared her, but she hadn't felt any true sorrow. She
hadn't understood the awfulness of her mother's loss. Now another stranger
bringing news of another death. Now she was the one sitting on the chair. Was this
her penalty, then, her punishment for being aloof to her own mot- heirs suffering?
(188).
a. This quote shows how Laila is feeling and what she is thinking after
hearing the news that she has lost one of her friends to a boom. It shows

how Laila is directly affected by the war, much like every other innocent
person suffering from the way.
6. It wasn't so much the whistling itself, Laila thought later, but the seconds
between the start of it and impact. The brief and interminable time of feeling
suspended. The not knowing. The waiting. Like a defendant about to hear the
verdict (157).
a. This quote is important because it gives us insight of how people would
feel during this time. Of how much thy feared for their lives, just being
siting ducks, waiting for the worse to happen.
7. Then Aziza passed gas in her sleep. Laila began to laugh, and Mariam joined in.
They laughed like this, at each other's reflection in the mirror, their eyes tearing,
and the moment was so natural, so effortless, that suddenly Mariam started telling
her about Jalal, and Nana, and the jinn. Laila stood with her hands idle on
Mariam's shoulders, eyes locked on Mariam's face in the mirror. Out the words
came, like blood gushing from an artery (229).
a. This quote is important because it showcases the first time Laila and
Mariam begin to bond. They share their secrets with each other and
development friendship.
8. Laila stood perfectly still and looked at Tariq until her chest screamed for air and
her eyes burned to blink. And, somehow, miraculously, after she took a breath,
closed and opened her eyes, he was still standing there. Tariq was still standing
there.
Laila allowed herself to take a step toward him. Then another. And another. And
then she was running (290).
a. This quote is important because it shows how Laila reacts after she finds
out Tariq, the love of her life, isnt dead.
9. But then his upper lip curled back into a spiteful sneer, and Mariam knew then
the futility, maybe even the irresponsibility, of not finishing this. If she let him
walk now, how long before he fetched the key from his pocket and went for that
gun of his upstairs in the room where he'd locked Zalmai? Had Mariam been
certain that he would be satisfied with shooting only her, that there was a chance
he would spare Laila, she might have dropped the shovel. But in Rasheed's eyes
she saw murder for them both (311).
a. This quote is important because it shows what was going through
Mariams mind before she decided to kill Rasheed. It shows how much
she didnt want to but understood it was something that had to be done.
10. But Laila has decided that she will not be crippled by resentment. Mariam
wouldn't want it that way. What's the sense? She would say with a smile both
innocent and wise. What good is it, Laila jo? And so Laila has resigned herself to
moving on (363).
a. This quote is important because it shows how Laila has let go of all the
resentment and hatred she had inside her heart. She has moved on and is
living a better life now

Part 5: Triple Evidence Charts (367)

Inference: Laila lives in the shadows of her brothers. (130)
Fact: Lailas mother spends all her time depressed because of her sons battle in war. She
neglects Laila because she misses her sons.
Commentary: Laila is always trying to seek her mothers love, but she never receives it
because her mother refuses to let her sons go. Even after their death she is still ignorant to
what goes on with her daughter.
Concluding Sentences: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Laila is constantly
living in the shadows of her brothers. Ever since her brothers went to war, her mother
hardly pays attention to her and is constantly depressed in bed. Laila is always left on the
sidelines and doesnt get any love or affection from her mother.
Inference: Laila is in love with Tariq. (200)
Fact: Laila often describes how handsome and beautiful Tariq is.
Commentary: Laila spends a lot of time with Tariq and often does things he likes and
misses him when he is gone. This shows that ever since a young age, Laila has been in
love with Tariq.
Concluding Sentences: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Laila is in love with
Tariq. Laila constantly thinks about how handsome and beautiful Tariq is. She paten
spends a lot of time with him and does/says things that she knows will make him happy.
Whenever he is gone, she misses him. All of this demonstrates how, even at a very early
age, Laila was already I love with Tariq.
Inference: Laila is afraid of Rasheed. (309)
Fact: Rasheed threatens Mariam with a gun.
Commentary: Up until Laila witnesses the abuse Mariam has to suffer from Rasheed,
she actually thinks he might be a good man. It isnt until he threatens Mariam with a gun
that she is truly scared of what he might do to her and her children.
Concluding Sentences: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Laila is afraid of her
husband Rasheed. Laila witnesses when Rasheed threatens Mariam with a gun, this is the
first time that Laila is actually fearful for her life because of Rasheed. Laila is scared that
Rasheed might hurt her children or herself, she spends most of her time after that
planning her escape from him.
Inference: Rasheed is a hostile man. (94)
Fact: Rasheed forces Mariam to chew on rocks and abuses her.
Commentary: At the beginning of their marriage, Rasheed treated Mariam with respect
and was kind to her. Once Mariam miscarried his child he completely turned around and
began to hit her and abuse her.
Concluding Sentences: In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, Rasheed is hostile.
Rasheed constantly abuses and threatens Mariam. In the beginning of their marriage he
was respectful and kind, but as time progressed he became violent and hostile towards his
wife and will also abuse his other wife, Laila.

Part 6: Character Conflict Sheet (A Thousand Splendid Suns: 363)

Conflict: man vs. man
Quote: And no more talk about school. Youre all I have. I wont loose you to them
(18).
Explanation: Mariam is in conflict with her mother. Her mother is selfish and wont allow
her to go to school and learn anything new. Mariam is extremely upset that she cant go
to school and learn like she wants to. All Mariam wants to do is lead a normal life, but
her mother stands in her way.
Conflict: Man vs. himself
Quote: Well do it together. If Im not mistaken, theres still some halwa left over.
Awfully good with chai (233).
Explanation: Mariam is still at odds with herself on weather or not he trusts Laila. She
keeps herself being these wall and is in conflict with herself on whether or not she should
let Laila in. She wants a friend, someone to love her, but is scared she might get hurt.
Conflict: Man vs. society
Quote: "God has made us differently, you women and us men. Our brains are different.
You are not able to think like we can. Western doctors and their science have proven this.
This is why we require only one male witness but two female ones (324).
Explanation: Mariam is in conflict with societys view of women. Everybody refuses to
listen to her side of the story on what happened to Rasheed, people dont believe her
because she is a woman. God made woman not to think like men can. She is put aside
and deemed as worthless because she is a woman.