Murderers. Laila and Mariam were murderers. A statement backed by studies show that “1,000+ homicides or more a year are committed by people with untreated severe mental illnesses..”1

This was the case for and relevant to our main characters confined between the pages of ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’. From what I read, both grew up in traumatic times. Mariam and Laila have both witnessed death and unnecessarily gruesome war. Mariam’s parents, Laila’s parents, brothers and friends were murdered or committed suicide. Within the short, impressionable stages of their lives they were subjected to abuse either mentally or physically. This meant that it was considered their norm, until Rasheed’s abuse exceeded what they thought as the expected or appropriate abuse. This may have triggered them either with flashbacks of the trauma they experienced at a younger age, the more matured mind they now had as opposed to before or a variation of the two in my opinion.

The reality of how different cultures handle problems involving gender that we have eliminated entirely to grant more freedom as a country. That is the main focus of this novel, to show how these problems are affecting other countries in modern day as it has for us in the past. These descriptions will give the reader a basic understanding of the characters presented in this book and how they change throughout their adventures or interactions with each other.

Mariam changes a lot once she connects with Aziza; Laila’s baby girl. On page (243) it states, “She retraced her steps. What is it? What do you want from me?” continuing on, “Why have you pinned your little heart to an old, ugly hag like me?”Another internal exchange between Mariam about Aziza, “Love has never been declared to her so guilelessly, so unreservedly. Aziza made Mariam want to weep.” On page (249), “When I was pregnant the first time. Or maybe the second time. Eighteen, nineteen years ago..” 

These quotes show the emotional rollercoaster that took place within Mariam’s timeline. From the perspective of Mariam as a child and how it differs from the more recent stages of her life. Witnessing her mother’s death has created a huge impact on the overall appearance she has on herself emotionally. As she analyzed the problem, she blamed herself directly for her mother’s self inflicted passing. 

Rasheed is described as a static character, these descriptions of his personality includes abusiveness, possessiveness, controlling and is psychologically disturbed. Along with those internal qualities, he has, or had, positive external expression and gestures to mask the internal disruptions. As the story progresses, through the shift in his actions I believe it’s safe to say, in my opinion, he is not capable of being in society on the streets. He’s like a walking emotional explosive that takes his frustrations and misfortunes out on others.

Since the authorities overseas are leaning more towards favoring the males over incidents involving marital problems or problems in general, he can get away with a great amount of abuse with as many women as he sees fit to marry. He married three women and had sexual intercourse with each of them until a child was conceived. His possessiveness is described through photographs and lines or quotes mentioned from, to or about Rasheed himself. 

Laila is a dynamic character because her motivation changes from a young girl, to a more grieving matured young woman. She wanted to leave with her family, but now she needs necessities like housing. She was used to being pampered and loved, to being forced to daily mental abuse from both Rasheed and Mariam. The author addresses this abuse from page (233), “You’re a wh**e, a thieving wh**e.” There was also a lot more tension in her life stated on page (234), “Laila had laid on the bed, groaning into the pillow, missing her parents suddenly, and with an overpowering, she hasn’t felt since the days of the attack.” 

Laila later becomes a mother to both Tariq’s daughter and Rasheed’s son. As a young mother she has to make decisions that would be hard even for a grown woman to make for her child. She shows perseverance as she gets attacked daily for trying to see her daughter. She had to make the decision to place her daughter in a foster home for orphans in order to give her proper education and meals. 

The descriptions for each character provided gives basic understandings for a deeper and vague reasons for why they did what they did. It also gives an inside look at how the characters develop throughout the novel. This story created a visual simulation to tap into the readers’ emotions and portray what daily life was or is like in another country other than the United States. Tapping into the emotions so well, that it entices the reader to continue reading to fulfill the suspense and gain knowledge about other cultures. 

I believe reading this novel can take the reader into a deep self reflection to make them wonder if some of their actions were necessary. Maybe not as gruesome or horrific as Rasheed’s behavior against Laila and Mariam, but for example yelling at your parents, arguing with friends, etc. For me personally, some truth was underlined by the words I read and made me rethink my actions or words towards friends, family, girlfriend, strangers, etc. 

If you read ATSS and pay attention to small details, self reflect and understand why, who and what you do or what your morals are, you can create a deeper understanding and appreciation for not only others or other cultures but yourself as well. It brings problems we were oblivious to within other nations and countries. 

1- mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/1000-homicides.html