A Thousand Splendid Suns - Literary Analysis Essay

Introduction

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" is the work of Khaled Hosseini and his second novel. It is a gripping narrative of two young women, Laila and Mariam, and their harsh lives together. They are married to one husband, Rasheed. Despite fighting severally, they develop a close bond during miserable situations and cares for each other deeply. Hosseini uses the phrase "a thousand splendid suns" in two different scenarios. The phrase has its thematic significance in the tale. Therefore, the essay focuses on the thematic relevance of "a thousand splendid suns" phrase in terms of the beauty of Afghanistan, the bond between Mariam and Laila, Family love and devotion, Laila's family love to Kabul, days of city existence, Kabul's women beauty, and citizen adherence.

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Thematic Significance

The phrase is drawn from the poem authored by Saeb-e-Tabrizi. He was a Persian poet of seventeenth-century. He utilizes the expression "a thousand splendid suns" to explain the beauty and cultural achievements of Afghanistan. Therefore, it is partly ironic to realize that this is the title assigned to a novel which depicts the entire Afghanistan destruction in terms of sophistication and culture (Hosseini 269). There is little proof of the beauty which the poem alludes to during the Taliban take over. The phrase partly highlights the calamity of what has happened in Afghanistan. It is by forcing the readers to recall what it used to look. An excellent example is a trip to the giant Buddha statues prior to their destruction demonstrates.

It can also be argued that the phrase draws attention to how Afghanistan beauty lives on sacrificial relationship and love that Laila and Mariam develop jointly. In a sense, Laila and Mariam are two of the splendid suns which the novel refers. They refuse to yield to misery no matter how tough and challenging the circumstances they face turned. They stick together as one and support each other in all dimensions. An excellent situation is when Mariam hits Rasheed twice with a shovel, ending his life. She does this to protect Laila from being suffocated by Rasheed (Hosseini 462). It is this behavior of Mariam that depicts the sacrificial relationship that has developed between them. Killing her husband is a great sacrifice for another person's life that calls for recognition. Also, Mariam refuses to leave Kabul together with Laila after Rasheed's death. The reason is that if they both go, the Taliban will search for them to identify the murderer. However, Mariam was not ready to place the children in such danger. On top of that, she would not afford to face Zalmia each day, knowing well she is the murderer of his father. They are splendid within their perseverance while they let their faith shine like the sun from within.

Hakim, Laila's father, quotes the line, "the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls" as the family was about to depart the war-wracked city (Hosseini 124). Through the metaphor of suns, the phrase induces a feeling of timelessness and link to the ancient Persia mythology. Also, it evokes an impression of the heavenly beauty which stands within poignant contrast with the blood and rubble of the war city. Therefore, the phrase possibly refers to the Kabul's women, glowing beauties secluded in home and hearth, tantalizingly buried from the outside world; however, nonetheless offering crucial life-giving warmth to the society of Afghan. They are the suns which hide behind the walls since they are forced only to be seen under a burqa. They are supposed to stay indoors if not accompanied by a man, and also not allowed to contribute to society like their male counterparts (Hosseini). The influential women image as "splendid suns" binds in with the Hosseini's central theme of women's strength as well as the importance of Afghan society.

Towards the end of the book, it is quoted that, "Mariam is in Laila's heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns" (Hosseini 540). It refers to the continued existence of Mariam in the life of Laila even after death. Therefore, this signifies that brilliance in experience superior to the sun and only equivalent to a thousand suns. The continued existence of Mariam in Laila's life is a result of the bond that develops while at Rasheed custody. They suffer and fight together without giving up. It means both Mariam and Laila life history cannot be separated in any manner hence making it hard for Laila ever forgetting the sacrifices that Mariam took on her behalf. The memories about Miriam continue to shine like a thousand splendid suns within the life of Laila.

The brilliance of a thousand suns depicted in the novel signifies the ability to conquer adversity and discover brilliance about oneself to be positive and happy regardless of the dullness and dreariness in everything. Laila expressed that "I'm sorry," since she was marveled by how every Afghan tale was marked by loss and death as well as unimaginable grief. Yet, Laila saw people discover ways of survival. Therefore, the phrase "a thousand splendid suns" refers to the city both men and women of Afghanistan who continue to survive in the harsh environment. Their lives keep on shinning like a thousand suns despite the difficulties their encounter. These citizens had to find brilliance about oneself to be positive and happy, and despite the many invasions they remained still standing (Hosseini 362).

The phrase "a thousand splendid suns" can be considered in a dimension where the suns signify the many days the city has existed. However, Hosseini's intention of quoting is more of being ironical. Kabul is no way near remotely as idyllic as the novel says and particularly not for women. But, because it is the home to Laila, it still contains that pull for her. Scholars say that east or west home is the best. Therefore, it does not matter how good other cities are, as compared to the experience that Laila has for Kabul. Kabul will continue to be the beautiful motherland of Laila. The phrase is in line with the theme of the value of homeland that is emphasized by the novel. Despite, Laila finding peace in another place that was unavailable in her home, her motherland value continues to shine like a thousand suns until she misses going back (Hosseini 389 -390). Laila together with her husband and two children, Aziza and Zalmai, embarks for a journey back to their townhouse in Kabul.

Also, the writer can be said to be attempting to signify the love that Laila's family possesses for Kabul (Hosseini 389 -390). In their eyes, Kabul shines as "a thousand splendid suns." Although Kabul was in rubble and turmoil, it was where they were born, grew up and established their family. Thus, it would always be gorgeous to them. It hence portrays their healthy self-esteem to accept and love their place of birth despite other people talking bad about it. The passion for their hometown is the reason they embark for a journey back to Kabul.

Much of this book talks about human nature and the strong emotions people can feel for others, both competent and corrupt individuals. However, the passion that is ordinary for two significant characters, Laila and Mariam, was devotion and love to their family. At the start, Mariam was entranced by her father and was ready to do everything to him if he asked. Also, she stills feels the load of the death of her mother when she looks back as her fault searching for a dad who never wanted her. Both of Jalil and Rasheed betrayed her and turned her back on them. A similar thing happens for Lalil. She is devoted to her dad, supports her mother fully, and discovers security in Tariq. Despite, Tariq, the love of her life requesting her to seek safety in Pakistan, she could not leave her parents behind due to attachment (Hosseini 193-195). Her father quotes the phrase when referring to the novels he loves. Also, the intense emotion these materials grasp in his heart amid the pain of leaving them behind after years of collecting. Laila has the same strong affection for Mariam. Therefore, the family bond expressed through love and devotion is like the fire of "a thousand splendid suns."

Conclusion

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" is the work of Khaled Hosseini and his second novel. From the discussion, it is vivid that the book is exciting and educational. It is worth to be recommended to other people who have not heard of those who have heard about but have not bothered reading it. They are missing a lot. The use of the phrase "a thousand splendid suns" has several thematic significances in the novel. First, it is used to explain the beauty and cultural achievement of Afghanistan, but partly ironical since the reality is that it is a war nation. Second, Laila and Mariam are the two of the splendid suns which the novel refers. Third, the phrase reflects Kabul's women, glowing beauties secluded in home and hearth, tantalizingly buried from the outside world however nonetheless offering crucial life-giving warmth to the society of Afghan. Fourth, the continued existence of Mariam in the life of Laila even after death signifies brilliance in experience superior to the sun and only equivalent to a thousand suns. Fifth, it implies that citizens had to find brilliance about oneself to be positive and happy and despite the many invasions they remained still standing. Sixth, it stands for many days the city had existed despite the troubles. Also, the love that Laila's family had for Kabul continued to shine. Finally, the phrase symbolizes the gorgeousness of the love and devotion for family.

Work Cited

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. Penguin.