A Thousand Splendid Suns

To what extent do the changes in Afghanistan’s political regimes affect Mariam and Laila?

“‘Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman,’” Nana tells Mariam in her girlhood (7). How do Mariam and Laila encounter misogyny, and how successful are they in confronting it?

How does Hosseini portray female solidarity in the novel? Your response should refer to mother-daughter relationships as well as the friendship between Mariam and Laila. 

What is Rasheed’s role in the novel? Does Hosseini present him as a stereotype or a fully-realized character?

How does Hosseini use his novel to reinforce and/or subvert Western stereotypes about Afghanistan?

What is the role of religion—both organized and personal—in Hosseini’s novel?

To what extent does Hosseini portray love as a transformative and miraculous force? 

How does Hosseini dramatize the conflict between an individual’s desire and their sense of familial duty?