A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) , written by Khaled Hosseini deals with the political scenario of Soviet- Afghan war that strike in 1980’s and the coming of the Talibans in 1996. The themes includes violence, women in Afghanistan, spousal abuse, resistance to victimization, war, Afghan life , marriage.
The novel is an epic of the country because it shows the impact of the political upheaval on the private space of the community . The Afghan and Soviet war had a profound impact on Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Fariba and Hakim and her daughter had to displace to Pakistan due to the release of Bombs in Kabul. The pessimistic view of Kabul is seen in parallel contrast to the pessimism of Fariba. The significant impact of the war was that it destroyed the family of Laila and her friend Giti. Laila’s family was destroyed by the bomb and she was fortunately saved. Her friend Giti was also a victim of the bomb blasts. It throws light into the situation of the war and its impact on the private space of life.
In addition to this, the rise of Talibans in the year 1996 also have a great impact on Kabul. The Talibans asked woman to wear “Purdah” and burqa while going outside. Many laws were created and imposed on the woman and education was restricted to them. Similarly, Laila and Mariam wanted to escape from the harsh oppression from Rasheed was unable to escape due to Talibans strict laws. It left no choice for them and they were left back to Rasheed’s house who abuses them physically.
Moreover, the condition of woman in the Afghanistan is clearly depicted. Mariam was a victim of patriarchal oppression and she was forcefully married to Rasheed. She was oppressed in Rasheed’s house and he forcefully had a sexual intercourse with her against her consent. It is also important to note that the objectification of woman was at its peak. Rasheed said to Mariam that “a woman’s face is her husband’s business” and gives her a burqa to wear. Woman were objectfied as an object in the Afghan society.
Laila’s patriarchal space in the family of Rasheed suffered from physical abuse and Aziza was made to beg on the streets by Rasheed to meet the demands of a boy Hamza. It becomes important to note that that the patriarchal society in Afghan society demands a boy rather than a girl child. After the situation of 9/11 in America the situation in Afghan got worse and Aziza was left to an orphanage which clearly indicates that the girl child is unwelcome in the family of Afghan society.
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