Abstract
This article examines Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns as a portrayal of Afghan society by an Afghan writer, tracing the socio-political and cultural history of Afghanistan through the experiences of two women, Mariam and Laila. The novel covers Afghanistan’s turbulent last thirty years — from Zahir Shah’s rule to the Soviet invasion, the reign of the Taliban, and the post-Taliban rebuilding — putting the violence, fear, hope, and faith of the country in intimate, human terms. The study focuses on how the novel faithfully represents history, the condition of Afghan women under successive regimes, and the deep bond that develops between the two female protagonists subjected to abuse by both the patriarchy and the nation.
Keywords: Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Afghanistan, war, women, Taliban, patriarchy, history, resilience
Afghanistan’s Historical Context
Afghanistan has gone through several wars and internal strife which has created a unique cultural and social milieu. The people of various ethnic origins have been striving to come to terms with their diversity over centuries. A land torn and a people shattered by various wars show amazing resilience in coming back to normalcy. The women of this land, twice victimized, still stand strong, braving all kinds of national and domestic violence. A Thousand Splendid Suns traces the socio-political and cultural history of Afghanistan.
From Zahir Shah’s Rule to the PDPA Coup
Tracing its history from Zahir Shah’s rule, Afghanistan was one of almost total autocratic power. In 1973, the king was overthrown and a republic was declared. Under Daoud, a certain liberalization took place, but very little was done to satisfy the people. In 1978 the PDPA seized power from Daoud in a military coup. They began introducing reforms, declaring a secular state and declaring that women deserve equal treatment as men. But they met with fierce opposition from many sections of the deeply religious population.
Soviet Invasion and the Mujahideen
Immediately following the PDPA coup, the Soviet Union took an active interest. They invaded the country in 1979 and handed power over to a man named Karmal. Several Islamic fundamentalist groups sprang up and began waging guerilla warfare. The CIA began providing military training to the Islamic guerillas known as the Mujahideen. The revolt against the Soviets was considered a holy war, a jihad. In 1989 the Soviets withdrew, leaving the PDPA government to fend for itself. Different Mujahideen warlords occupied different cities and regions of the country.
The Rise of the Taliban
With the aim of ending the civil war, Pakistani Intelligence aided in the creation of the Taliban. Once in power the Taliban sought to create a theocratic state based on their interpretations of the Koran and the Afghan women’s conditions worsened. The veil became the law of the land, and women were forbidden from attending school or holding employment outside of the home. Television was banned. Historical and cultural relics were destroyed. During the rule of the Taliban (1996-2001), women were treated worse than in any other time.
The Plight of Afghan Women
The novel aptly portrays the abject misery of Afghan women. Mariam, although a harami, wishes to go to school. She is married off at an early age because she was a burden on her father’s household. Later the country falls under the Soviet regime and women hope for greater freedom. But the struggle for power conveniently places women behind the burqa. Laila, along with Mariam and Aziza, plans to escape from an abusive husband, but the plan fails because of the strict laws against women traveling without a male escort.
Post-Taliban Afghanistan and Women’s Rights
Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, many would agree that the political and cultural position of Afghan women has improved substantially. The Afghan constitution states that the citizens of Afghanistan, whether man or woman, have equal rights and duties before the law. Women have been allowed to return back to work, and they have been appointed to prominent positions in the government.
The Bond Between Mariam and Laila
The novel, at one level, is a tale of Afghanistan. But at another level, it is a poignant tale of two Afghan women who share a very special and strong bond. Mariam and Laila begin their journey through life from two diverse social backgrounds — Mariam, a social outcaste, a harami, and Laila, a child of a liberal household. They start off with hostilities but when the novel ends their identities are one and the same. Ironically, Mariam’s death resurrects her in the minds of her loved ones as a strong presence of love, hope, and faith.
Works Cited
- Brannigan, John. “Introduction: History, Power and Politics in the Literary Artifact.” New Historicism and Cultural Materialism. New York: St. Martin’s P, 1998. Print.
- Hamilton, Paul. Historicism. London & New York: Routledge, 1996. Print.
- Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. London: Bloomsbury, 2007. Print.
- Malpas, Simon and Paul Wake. The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory. London & New York: Routledge, 2006. Print.
- Thayeeb, Aman. “Political History of Afghanistan.” 07 July 2008. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/51/148.html