Topic A

J. Trinh
2nd Period


Prompt:  Analyze how Hosseini uses literary elements to explore the issue of domestic abuse (psychological and/or physical). 


Khaled Hosseini's  "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is a bleak, heartbreaking novel that explores the psychological effects of domestic violence in Afghani marriages. Through his usage of characterization and diction, Hosseini exposes the arrogance and brazen authority men possess in Afghani society, and how women defenselessly yield to their ordinating power.


It is apparent that due to the nature of Afghanistan's male dominated society, men feel they are entitled to act certain ways.  It is systematic and normal for Afghani men to beat their wives, so any attempt for these wives to report violence would be deemed as futile: officers “…do not interfere with private family matters…” (266). The concrete denotation of "do not" and "interfere" suggests that it is the indeed the man that is the head of the household, therefore, enabling him to do as he pleases, and government may not interfere. Hosseini demonstrates with the use of many graphic scenes throughout the novel that domestic violence occurs frequently, and women are expected to submit - as seen when Mariam crawls back into her bed after a beating  from Rasheed and "buried her head beneath the pillow, and waited for the shaking to stop” (241). The humble and self-controlled act of recovery from Mariam clearly shows her role as a woman to pleasently resist any forms of domestic violence. Hosseini characterizes Rasheed, Mariam and Laila's husband, as abusive, as well as a self-absorbed and scheming man. His nature is a direct result of said mentality of entitlement. Rasheed appears to be a very charming man while courting the current female of desire, yet, once bored, he will utilize his "authority"to justify subsequent behaviors toward them. He says to his second wife Laila: "I married a pari, and now I'm saddled with a hag. You're turning into Mariam" (271).  From that point on begins his violent tendencies towards Laila as well.

Hosseini's usage of these two literary devices expose the sad truth that is the flawed society of Afghanistan.  Domestic violence and its justification makes life a painful battle for generations of women out there. Abuse belittles and mocks the lives of extraordinary, yet defenseless women.