A Thousand Splendid Suns

Islamic Literature
“Feminism in Novel
A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini”

 

Arranged by:

Faridha

Fitri Andriyani

  

Biography

Khaled Hosseini 

Khaled Hosseini was born on March 4, 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan, he is the oldest of five children. His father, Nasser, was a moderate Muslim who worked as a diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul while his mother worked as a Persian language teacher at a girls high school, both originate from Herat. Hossein and his family live in some countries, like Iran, back to Kabul and Paris. But, they were unable back to Kabul anymore because there were a war in Afghanistan until 2003. And finally, they lived in San Jose, California, America

Brief of Story

                This novel tells about two Afghanistan’s women. First woman is Mariam, she is harami (illegitimate child/bastard) from Nana and Jalil. She lives with her mother in small village Gul Daman. When she was 14 years old, she visit her father's home in Herat, but unfortunately, when she went home she found her mother dead (hanged herself). Then, Mariam lives with her father and her three mothers in law.

                When she was 15 years old, she forced to marry with a rich man, named Rasheed and lived in Kabul. At the beginning, Mariam refuses to be Rasheed’s wife but she has no choice. Rasheed cares with Mariam, he often gives Mariam a tour and some gift, and because of that, Mariam try to be a good wife for Rasheed. Then, Mariam is pregnant, but unfortunately she always miscarries her child, and it makes Rasheed turn his personality being bad. He injustice Mariam and become crueler with each one.

                Another woman in this novel is Laila. She has boyfriend, named Tariq. One day, they have to separate because of Tariq and his family moved to Pakistan. After Tariq and his family moved, Laila’s parents dead because of the attack of rocket in their house. In addition of her suffers, she is pregnant and get news that Tariq has gone. In short, Laila married with Rasheed and becomes the second wife. She has two children, the oldest is Aziza and the other is Zalmai. Mariam and Laila ever try to escape to Pakistan, but failed because there is a new rule that woman can’t go anywhere without their husband and they have to use burqa.

                One day, Rasheed become poor, he asks Mariam to contact Jalil for some helps, but Jalil was dead. Laila surprised meet Tariq again. Zalmai tell to his father that Laila meet Tariq, and it is become the worst thing. Rasheed torture Laila, Mariam come and try to save Laila, then she kills Rasheed, and finally she sent to a woman’s prison and was executed in Ghazi Stadium. Then Laila married with Tariq and fund Zaman’s Orphanage with Mariam’s inheritance.

Feminism

                Generally, feminism means the advocacy of women’s right to full citizenship-that is political, economic and social equality with men, there are women can get full her right in life and they can do like men. They have similar class in political, economic, education and social (Laurence, 1984:325).

                In this novel, there are some feminism:

                The first is about rule that women can’t go anywhere without accompany of man. It happens when Mariam, Laila and Aziza want to escape from Rasheed’s house to Peshawar, they ask some help from a man, named Wakil to buy tickets and ask Wakil to pretend to be their cousin. They success get tickets, but he didn’t help them at all. A few minutes before departure of the bus, there is checking tickets at the bus door. They didn’t allow to enter the bus because Wakil tell to the soldier that they lie and they aren’t his family. So that they bring to the police office to get an interrogation.  Finally, they are brought home by police and guarded by a Mujahid soldier (Chapter 36 ) .

                The second is about Taliban new moral laws.

“Ourwatan is now known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. These are the laws that

we will enforce and you will obey:

Ail citizens must pray five times a day. If it is prayer time and you are caught doing something

other, you will be beaten.

Ail men will grow their beards. The correct length is at least one clenched fist beneath

the chin. If you do not abide by this, you will be beaten.

Ml boys will wear turbans. Boys in grade one through six will wear black turbans, higher

grades will wear white. Ail boys will wear Islamic clothes. Shirt collars will be buttoned.

Singing is forbidden.

Dancing is forbidden.

Playing cards, playing chess, gambling, and kiteflying are forbidden.

Writing books, watching films, and painting pictures are forbidden.

If you keep parakeets, you will be beaten. Your birds will be killed.

If you steal, your hand will be cut off at the wrist. If you steal again, your foot will be

cut off.

If you are not Muslim, do not worship where you can be seen by Muslims. If you do,

you will be beaten and imprisoned. If you are caught trying to convert a Muslim to your

faith, you will be executed.

Attention women:

You will stay inside your homes at all times. It is not proper for women to wander aimlessly

about the streets. If you go outside, you must be accompanied by amahram,a male

relative. If you are caught alone on the street, you will be beaten and sent home.

You will not, under any circumstance, show your face. You will cover with burqa when

outside. If you do not, you will be severely beaten.

Cosmetics are forbidden.

Jewelry is forbidden.

You will not wear charming clothes.

You will not speak unless spoken to.

You will not make eye contact with men.

You will not laugh in public. If you do, you will be beaten.

You will not paint your nails. If you do, you will lose a finger.

Girls are forbidden from attending school All schools for girls will be closed immediately.

Women are forbidden from working.

If you are found guilty of adultery, you will be stoned to death

Listen. Listen well. Obey.Allah-u-akbar.” ( Chapter 37 page 144)

                Actually, this rule is very suffering for all citizen because they are far from freedom and the human right is limited, especially for women, it is unfair. Laila try to break the rules, she forced to take her chances walking the streets alone because Rasheed won’t to accompany her. She often beaten badly by the Taliban, but it never stops her from trying again. It happens during she visits Aziza in the orphanage. She does it because she loves her daughter, Aziza very much ( chapter 42 page 165-166).

                The third is about Mariam’s action to protect Laila and her own life. Begin when Rasheed hits Laila in the face with his belt, Laila tries to fight back, but Rasheed begins to beat her badly. Mariam comes and help laila, she clawing at Rasheed's face and pulling his hair. Rasheed revenge her and nearly kill her. Mariam goes to the toolshed in the backyard and grabs the shovel. She returns and gets Rasheed's attention, hitting him in the temple when he turns around. Mariam knows that Rasheed will kill both of them if she doesn't do something. Then, with one more swing, and every bit of power she has left, she ends Rasheed's life (chapter 45 page 182-183)