In the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, Hosseini develops the recurring motif of gender relations in the novel by utilizing literary elements: characterization and irony. The reader is able to understand the roles of men and women and how both genders are treated differently in terms of freedom and rights. Among establishing this motif, Hosseini also gives the reader insight to one of the major themes in the novel: discrimination on women and the unfairness brought upon them.
Initially, Hosseini introduces characterization by making note that women were inferior to men. The role of women was to act as housewives and produce babies. They had no sense of liberty and independence. They were forced to obey laws that "ordered women to cover, forbade their travel without a male relative, punished adultery with stoning." Women were seen as relatively weak and suffered brutal beatings. For example, "Laila...was talking and the next she was on all fours, wide-eyed and red-faced...It was as if a car had hit her at full speed." Laila was a wife and a victim being treated unfairly. These characteristics enable the reader to understand that, though women looked weak on the outside, they were strong on the inside and looked to persevere with their lives. Men, on the other hand, worked and could have multiple wives. Men would run the show and a woman was their property. For instance, Rasheed implied that "a woman's face is her husband's business only." This implication characterizes that women had little say in what they said or did, and how they had to tolerate their husband's rules. The overall difference between both genders is that women had little justice.
Secondly, Hosseini introduces irony to reveal Rasheed's contradicting views about women. An example of this is when Mariam finds "several magazines" with pages of "beautiful women, who wore no shirts, no trousers, no socks or underpants." This image contradicts Rasheed's earlier statement that "a woman's face is her husband's business only." While he's deceiving himself about the things he says, he is also showing phoniness towards Mariam. Hosseini gives the reader a deep understanding of Rasheed's inner self by revealing he is not as loyal as he assumes he is. Rasheed finds it mandatory for his women to be covered, yet he finds no shame in looking at naked women who belong to other men. This is an absolute contradiction to his moral beliefs.
Ultimately, Hosseini utilizes these literary elements to create importance to the different motifs and themes established in the novel. He builds a connection with the reader in which all can relate. The audience can comprehend that women did not have it easy and had to fight the struggles in their marriages. They should not be inferior, but equal to men. For this, women should be viewed as inspirations.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Discussion Topic A
In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, Hosseini utilizes literary elements such as imagery, diction, and conflict to emphasize on the issue of domestic abuse endured by Mariam and Laila. He introduces imagery to give the audience some sense of understanding of how physically abusive Rasheed was on these women. Conflict is demonstrated in the form of man vs. man to reveal how Rasheed treated these women as his victims, not taking into consideration how much brutal pain he was putting them through.
Initially, Hosseini exercises imagery in a way in which the audience can observe the actions taking place. The audience can imagine how much misery these girls are put through by taking note of the descriptive sounds Laila hears when the beatings pursue. She describes the sounds as "methodical...There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systemic business of beating and being beaten, the thump, thump of something solid repeatedly striking flesh...someone, hitting a wall with a thud, cloth ripping." This image shows the different characteristics of Rasheed. At first, he acted like a calm gentleman who could do no harm, but as the novel progressed his true colors were revealed and the audience was able to see him as a different person. In this scene he is depicted as a cruel and cold-hearted human being. The diction in this phrase highlights the speaker's tone by creating an overall despairing and sorrowful mood. Even for the audience this is a terrifying moment as Rasheed shows no sympathy when he is beating Mariam. The word "methodical" connotes a slow and painful beating. There were no words, "no cursing," meaning Rasheed did not hesitate for an explanation by Mariam.
Secondly, Hosseini utilizes conflict to highlight the battle between Rasheed and his wives. Overtime, Rasheed has characterized himself as a man with a bad temper who exerts violence on Mariam and Laila to solve his problems. The audience can only wonder why Rasheed treats these women as badly as he does, sometimes for no reason. For example, "He found fault with Laila, the way she smelled, the way she dressed, the way she combed her hair, her yellowing teeth." He implies that her changing appearance has caused her to turn "into Mariam." His harsh choice of words signify he is apathetic of Laila's feelings. Rasheed's actions and choice of words gives the audience reason to believe he treats these women like a piece of dirt. This conflict of man vs. man is a representation of beatings, neglect, insults; all coming from Rasheed to his wives.
Hosseini's message to the audience is that domestic violence is wrong and by no means should men exert their fists or legs to harm a woman. He successfully establishes this message by getting through to the audience that women are humans like men and should not be treated like punching bags.
Initially, Hosseini exercises imagery in a way in which the audience can observe the actions taking place. The audience can imagine how much misery these girls are put through by taking note of the descriptive sounds Laila hears when the beatings pursue. She describes the sounds as "methodical...There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systemic business of beating and being beaten, the thump, thump of something solid repeatedly striking flesh...someone, hitting a wall with a thud, cloth ripping." This image shows the different characteristics of Rasheed. At first, he acted like a calm gentleman who could do no harm, but as the novel progressed his true colors were revealed and the audience was able to see him as a different person. In this scene he is depicted as a cruel and cold-hearted human being. The diction in this phrase highlights the speaker's tone by creating an overall despairing and sorrowful mood. Even for the audience this is a terrifying moment as Rasheed shows no sympathy when he is beating Mariam. The word "methodical" connotes a slow and painful beating. There were no words, "no cursing," meaning Rasheed did not hesitate for an explanation by Mariam.
Secondly, Hosseini utilizes conflict to highlight the battle between Rasheed and his wives. Overtime, Rasheed has characterized himself as a man with a bad temper who exerts violence on Mariam and Laila to solve his problems. The audience can only wonder why Rasheed treats these women as badly as he does, sometimes for no reason. For example, "He found fault with Laila, the way she smelled, the way she dressed, the way she combed her hair, her yellowing teeth." He implies that her changing appearance has caused her to turn "into Mariam." His harsh choice of words signify he is apathetic of Laila's feelings. Rasheed's actions and choice of words gives the audience reason to believe he treats these women like a piece of dirt. This conflict of man vs. man is a representation of beatings, neglect, insults; all coming from Rasheed to his wives.
Hosseini's message to the audience is that domestic violence is wrong and by no means should men exert their fists or legs to harm a woman. He successfully establishes this message by getting through to the audience that women are humans like men and should not be treated like punching bags.
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