What actions are the characters taking to protect their own human rights? If they are not taking any action to protect their rights, why aren't they?
After reading this section, I felt somewhat relieved for Mariam and Laila and proud that they finally took action against Rasheed, even though they went too far with it. Standing up for yourself and protecting yourself is one thing, killing a man is a whole different story.
Though through most of the novel, the wives of Rasheed put up with this abuse for fear or being imprisoned or punished by Rasheed even worse, Mariam finally decides she is done dealing with the beatings. To protect herself, her friend and her rights, she does the only thing she thinks will save her from her crazed husband. She kills him.
In retrospect, murdering Rasheed may have been the only way Laila could survive. In America, we can pick up the phone and dial 911 if we need help. This story seems to portray a different scenario, stating at one point that "What a man does in his home is his business" (Hosseini 266). The prevalent abuse violates Article 15 of the List of Human Rights, which is the freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
Mariam later deals with the consequences of saving herself and defending herself by being executed, however she feels empowered that she has stood up for herself and taken back the human right that she was granted at birth.
You could say executing her for killing a man in self defense is violating Article 15 as well, but I think Mariam's story could set a course for change in the homes and lives of women in Afghanistan. Seeing one woman refuse to be beaten shows other women that this type of behavior from their husbands is not okay and should not be tolerated. Even in the jail, Mariam "gained some notoriety among them, became a kind of celebrity. The women eyed her with a reverent, almost awestruck, expression" (363). This quote shows the impact Mariam's bravery had on the other women already, and will hopefully spread so others are shown that they can save themselves.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Entry 5, pages 100-125
What is school like for one of the characters in the novel? How is their schooling different from yours?
Up until the war grows bad and the Taliban takes over, Laila attends school that shares similar qualities as mine own. She learns about current events, like the Soviet Union and the government and the issues of her country, as well as learning general knowledge, such as math, science and geography.
One of the differences I noticed at this point, though, was that Lailas teacher, Shanzai, slapped students who misbehaved. "Behind her back, the students called her Khala Rangmaal, Auntie Painter, referring to the motion she favored when she slapped students-palm, then back of the hand, back and forth, like a painter working a brush" (Hosseini 111). It is forbidden that a teacher every physically harm a student in the United States.
When the streets become dangerous, Laila is pulled out of school and taught at home by her father, who used to be a teacher. Homeschooling is uncommon, but not unheard of, in the U.S. as well. Her father, Babi, teachers her just what she would learn in school in Afghanistan or in America; things like the "quadratic equation, showed her how to factor polynomials and plot parametric curves" (177). She also learned about poets and other works.
Before the Taliban, women were allowed into colleges like Kabul University, and Laila planned and hoped to attend. Women can go to most any college or university in the United States as well, and the standard Kabul University and others like it in Afghanistan is high and close to that of universities here.
I was surprised at the common schooling between our two countries, especially considering Afghanistan is third world and America is not. Afghanistan may not have the resources we have here or the money, and that may contribute to the literacy rate of only 28%, however they seem to make their schools work in some aspects and that is impressive to me.
Up until the war grows bad and the Taliban takes over, Laila attends school that shares similar qualities as mine own. She learns about current events, like the Soviet Union and the government and the issues of her country, as well as learning general knowledge, such as math, science and geography.
One of the differences I noticed at this point, though, was that Lailas teacher, Shanzai, slapped students who misbehaved. "Behind her back, the students called her Khala Rangmaal, Auntie Painter, referring to the motion she favored when she slapped students-palm, then back of the hand, back and forth, like a painter working a brush" (Hosseini 111). It is forbidden that a teacher every physically harm a student in the United States.
When the streets become dangerous, Laila is pulled out of school and taught at home by her father, who used to be a teacher. Homeschooling is uncommon, but not unheard of, in the U.S. as well. Her father, Babi, teachers her just what she would learn in school in Afghanistan or in America; things like the "quadratic equation, showed her how to factor polynomials and plot parametric curves" (177). She also learned about poets and other works.
Before the Taliban, women were allowed into colleges like Kabul University, and Laila planned and hoped to attend. Women can go to most any college or university in the United States as well, and the standard Kabul University and others like it in Afghanistan is high and close to that of universities here.
I was surprised at the common schooling between our two countries, especially considering Afghanistan is third world and America is not. Afghanistan may not have the resources we have here or the money, and that may contribute to the literacy rate of only 28%, however they seem to make their schools work in some aspects and that is impressive to me.
Entry 4, pages 175-200
Does the point of view of the story enhance how the novel unfolds? How does the point of view add interest to the novel?
While reading this section of A Thousand Splendid Sons, I was both upset and nervous for Laila. She found out Tariq was leaving for Peshawar the next day, and this sudden news allowed for the plot to thicken and foreshadowed what was to come.
After the two of them have sex, Tariq says "'Let me marry you, Laila. Today. We could get married today'" (Hosseini 184). Laila does the right thing and says no, knowing she has to stay with her mother and father who need her right now. However, Laila has just brought shame to herself and her family if anyone finds out she and Tariq had sex out of wedlock.
Though it may have been impulse and the last time the two would see each other, this doesn't change the way people will look at Laila if anyone knows what she has done. Sex before marriage is more common in our culture, but from Laila's point of view it is dishonorable and terrible. "Laila saw three drops of blood on the rug, her blood, and pictured her parents sitting on this couch later, oblivious to the sin that she had committed. And now the shame set in, and the guilt" (183). Not only is having sex and a baby out of wedlock bad for the mother, but the child grows up being persecuted against. After this incident and Laila accepting Rasheed's marriage proposal so quickly, it showed that something more may have come of the scene with Tariq. Laila is smart to make the child seem like Rasheed's, and as the lie grows, the plot deepens.
If this novel was written about an American girl who had sex and a child before being married, not as big of a deal would be made of it. Nonetheless, circumstances for Afghan women and American women are very different. The outcomes are completely separate and, though having a child out of marriage can be bad anywhere, it is not nearly as dishonorable and shameful in America as it is in Afghanistan.
While reading this section of A Thousand Splendid Sons, I was both upset and nervous for Laila. She found out Tariq was leaving for Peshawar the next day, and this sudden news allowed for the plot to thicken and foreshadowed what was to come.
After the two of them have sex, Tariq says "'Let me marry you, Laila. Today. We could get married today'" (Hosseini 184). Laila does the right thing and says no, knowing she has to stay with her mother and father who need her right now. However, Laila has just brought shame to herself and her family if anyone finds out she and Tariq had sex out of wedlock.
Though it may have been impulse and the last time the two would see each other, this doesn't change the way people will look at Laila if anyone knows what she has done. Sex before marriage is more common in our culture, but from Laila's point of view it is dishonorable and terrible. "Laila saw three drops of blood on the rug, her blood, and pictured her parents sitting on this couch later, oblivious to the sin that she had committed. And now the shame set in, and the guilt" (183). Not only is having sex and a baby out of wedlock bad for the mother, but the child grows up being persecuted against. After this incident and Laila accepting Rasheed's marriage proposal so quickly, it showed that something more may have come of the scene with Tariq. Laila is smart to make the child seem like Rasheed's, and as the lie grows, the plot deepens.
If this novel was written about an American girl who had sex and a child before being married, not as big of a deal would be made of it. Nonetheless, circumstances for Afghan women and American women are very different. The outcomes are completely separate and, though having a child out of marriage can be bad anywhere, it is not nearly as dishonorable and shameful in America as it is in Afghanistan.
Entry 3, pages 250-275
When reading this novel, how are you reminded of your own human rights as a citizen of the United States? Do you feel you deserve those human rights? How are they protected?
In the United States, I am granted and exercise rights everyday that I don't even think about. I can say what is on my mind, or own property, or not be discriminated against because of the way I look or where I am from. Laila can't even leave her home by herself to go get groceries because she is a woman. This law set by the Taliban violates two Articles of the List of Human Rights.
Article 2 protects the Freedom from Discrimination, meaning Laila should have the same rights as every man, because everyone is entitled to the same rights. Laila travels to visit her daughter, Aziza, at an orphanage but is often caught and sent home for not being with a man, but not before she is "given a tongue-lashing or a single kick to the rear, a shove in the back, Other times, she met with assortments of wooden clubs, fresh tree branches, short whips, slaps, often fists" (Hosseini 321). If I were to leave my house, no one would stop me and punish me for being alone because I am protected by the List of Human Rights that everyone is supposed to be entitled to. Exercising my rights is something I don't think about, I just do, however people in other countries have to think about every move they make and are not protected the way I am where I live.
Article 13 allows for the Right to Free Movement, which the Taliban interferes with when they chain women to their homes and also when Laila and Mariam cannot travel without a male family member. After being caught at a train station trying to escape from Rasheed, Mariam and Laila are interrogated by officers. "'We know,' he began, clearing his throat and politely covering his mouth with a fist, 'that you have already told one lie today hamshira. The young man at the station was not your cousin. He told us as much himself. The question is whether you will tell more lies today. Personally, I advise you against it'" (264). When in Madison, I have taken a bus or taxi without my dad or brother by me, and so the Taliban setting a law against women traveling alone should not be allowed. Women, men, senior citizens all are given the right at birth to travel where they want and when they want.
Not only do I deserve to have Human Rights, but so does everyone else in the world. Human Rights apply to everyone when they are born, however they cannot be enforced because there is no "Government of the World". That is why today, almost every single Human Right on the list is violated somewhere. The fact that Laila can't take a walk without being questioned and beaten is insane and upsetting. If men are allowed outside, it is expected that any woman can do the same.
In the United States, I am granted and exercise rights everyday that I don't even think about. I can say what is on my mind, or own property, or not be discriminated against because of the way I look or where I am from. Laila can't even leave her home by herself to go get groceries because she is a woman. This law set by the Taliban violates two Articles of the List of Human Rights.
Article 2 protects the Freedom from Discrimination, meaning Laila should have the same rights as every man, because everyone is entitled to the same rights. Laila travels to visit her daughter, Aziza, at an orphanage but is often caught and sent home for not being with a man, but not before she is "given a tongue-lashing or a single kick to the rear, a shove in the back, Other times, she met with assortments of wooden clubs, fresh tree branches, short whips, slaps, often fists" (Hosseini 321). If I were to leave my house, no one would stop me and punish me for being alone because I am protected by the List of Human Rights that everyone is supposed to be entitled to. Exercising my rights is something I don't think about, I just do, however people in other countries have to think about every move they make and are not protected the way I am where I live.
Article 13 allows for the Right to Free Movement, which the Taliban interferes with when they chain women to their homes and also when Laila and Mariam cannot travel without a male family member. After being caught at a train station trying to escape from Rasheed, Mariam and Laila are interrogated by officers. "'We know,' he began, clearing his throat and politely covering his mouth with a fist, 'that you have already told one lie today hamshira. The young man at the station was not your cousin. He told us as much himself. The question is whether you will tell more lies today. Personally, I advise you against it'" (264). When in Madison, I have taken a bus or taxi without my dad or brother by me, and so the Taliban setting a law against women traveling alone should not be allowed. Women, men, senior citizens all are given the right at birth to travel where they want and when they want.
Not only do I deserve to have Human Rights, but so does everyone else in the world. Human Rights apply to everyone when they are born, however they cannot be enforced because there is no "Government of the World". That is why today, almost every single Human Right on the list is violated somewhere. The fact that Laila can't take a walk without being questioned and beaten is insane and upsetting. If men are allowed outside, it is expected that any woman can do the same.
Entry 2, pages 50-75
Describe the home life of one of the characters in the novel. How is their life different from yours?
During this section while Mariam was moving in with her new husband, Rasheed, all I could think about was how strange it would be to be a wife in Afghanistan at this time. Life there, for women, is different in so many ways compared to the lifestyle of women here.
Not only are most women forced into marriage when they are teenagers, but most of these marriages are with men they have never met or spoken to. The marriages are set up based on the parents agreeing that the husband can provide for the wife and the wife can take care of the husband. I can't begin to imagine marrying a man twice my age and not being able to choose the man I want to spend my life with.
When Mariam is married, she has many responsibilities and expectations that Rasheed sets for her. In my home, I do small chores, like laundry and cleaning, but Mariam has much more on her plate. At my same age, she is already cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and living up to the rules her husband set for her.
My parents are also very forgiving if I make a mistake or become emotional, however Mariam must hide any emotions she feels even inside her own home. Rasheed says, "What did I say about the crying? Mariam. What did I say to you about the crying" (Hosseini 65)? He is not a supportive, caring husband that a woman would want to have and doesn't care that she just needs time to adjust to her new lifestyle. Any mistake with the meals or cleaning and Mariam can expect to be yelled at or beaten. Being abused is something I can't begin to fathom, especially by someone in my family. However, in A Thousand Splendid Sons, most Afghans turn their cheek and say that what a man does in his home is his own business.
I don't know how I would survive being an Afghan wife. Living with a man much older than me, trying to have children in my teen years, taking on the roles of a woman when I'm still learning and, putting up with the fits of rage from my husband. Women in Afghanistan have to grow up fast based on the culture and traditions most Afghans follow, and they lead a hard life once married.
During this section while Mariam was moving in with her new husband, Rasheed, all I could think about was how strange it would be to be a wife in Afghanistan at this time. Life there, for women, is different in so many ways compared to the lifestyle of women here.
Not only are most women forced into marriage when they are teenagers, but most of these marriages are with men they have never met or spoken to. The marriages are set up based on the parents agreeing that the husband can provide for the wife and the wife can take care of the husband. I can't begin to imagine marrying a man twice my age and not being able to choose the man I want to spend my life with.
When Mariam is married, she has many responsibilities and expectations that Rasheed sets for her. In my home, I do small chores, like laundry and cleaning, but Mariam has much more on her plate. At my same age, she is already cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and living up to the rules her husband set for her.
My parents are also very forgiving if I make a mistake or become emotional, however Mariam must hide any emotions she feels even inside her own home. Rasheed says, "What did I say about the crying? Mariam. What did I say to you about the crying" (Hosseini 65)? He is not a supportive, caring husband that a woman would want to have and doesn't care that she just needs time to adjust to her new lifestyle. Any mistake with the meals or cleaning and Mariam can expect to be yelled at or beaten. Being abused is something I can't begin to fathom, especially by someone in my family. However, in A Thousand Splendid Sons, most Afghans turn their cheek and say that what a man does in his home is his own business.
I don't know how I would survive being an Afghan wife. Living with a man much older than me, trying to have children in my teen years, taking on the roles of a woman when I'm still learning and, putting up with the fits of rage from my husband. Women in Afghanistan have to grow up fast based on the culture and traditions most Afghans follow, and they lead a hard life once married.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Entry 1, pages 1-25
How is the life of one character from the novel different from your life?
While reading the beginning of the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, I couldn't even begin to understand how sad Mariam's life must be. Mariam is persecuted for a mistake that wasn't even her own, it was her mother's and Jalil's. In the United States today, if a child is born out of wedlock it isn't a big deal. This kind of stuff happens often because sex is turning into a big part of our culture. Because of being an illegitimate chlid, Mariam has a much harder than life she would have if her parents had been married.
Mariam is home schooled because her mother refuses to send her to a public school, saying "'It's our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It's all we have. Do you understand? Besides, they'll laugh at you in school. They will. They'll call you harami. They'll say the most terrible things about you'" (Hosseini 19). School, to me, just seems like a normal thing that everyone does. Usually, parents would encourage their child wanting to learn, so it amazes me that Mariam's own mother is holding her back.
Furthermore, Mariam only sees her father once a week for a short period and she cherishes these visits. "For an hour or two every Thursday, when Jalil came to see her, all smiles and gifts and endearments, Mariam felt deserving of all the beauty and bounty that life had to give" (5). Every night when I get home, my family eats dinner together. It seems so strange that a girl could grow up only seeing her father every once in a while. My dad is the person I go to for advice and help on anything, and Mariam will never be able to have that relationship with her father because his visits are so short and scarce.
The closest friend that Mariam has is her tutor, Mullah Faizullah. "But Mariams favorite, other than Jalil of course, was Mullah Faizullah" (16). Mariam confides in Mullah as well as has fun and laughs with him. It is weird for most people to think that a little girl would grow up having an old man as her best friend. I played dolls with my friends when I was younger, and though Mullah plays with Mariam she does not have interaction with other girls her age. She doesn't ever meet anyone to be friends with, due to the fact that she is forced to live in a secluded house and be home schooled.
When you live in a place like the United States you tend to not understand that not everyone is as lucky as we are. A lot of times, we take things for granted like education, family and friends. We don't like going to school, although kids in other countries would kill to receive the education we do. We fight with our families and don't appreciate them as much as we should. We don't thank our friends enough for supporting us and accepting us, when others may have to grow up so fast they will never get the chance to have childhood friends. Life is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum between Mariam and I.
While reading the beginning of the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, I couldn't even begin to understand how sad Mariam's life must be. Mariam is persecuted for a mistake that wasn't even her own, it was her mother's and Jalil's. In the United States today, if a child is born out of wedlock it isn't a big deal. This kind of stuff happens often because sex is turning into a big part of our culture. Because of being an illegitimate chlid, Mariam has a much harder than life she would have if her parents had been married.
Mariam is home schooled because her mother refuses to send her to a public school, saying "'It's our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It's all we have. Do you understand? Besides, they'll laugh at you in school. They will. They'll call you harami. They'll say the most terrible things about you'" (Hosseini 19). School, to me, just seems like a normal thing that everyone does. Usually, parents would encourage their child wanting to learn, so it amazes me that Mariam's own mother is holding her back.
Furthermore, Mariam only sees her father once a week for a short period and she cherishes these visits. "For an hour or two every Thursday, when Jalil came to see her, all smiles and gifts and endearments, Mariam felt deserving of all the beauty and bounty that life had to give" (5). Every night when I get home, my family eats dinner together. It seems so strange that a girl could grow up only seeing her father every once in a while. My dad is the person I go to for advice and help on anything, and Mariam will never be able to have that relationship with her father because his visits are so short and scarce.
The closest friend that Mariam has is her tutor, Mullah Faizullah. "But Mariams favorite, other than Jalil of course, was Mullah Faizullah" (16). Mariam confides in Mullah as well as has fun and laughs with him. It is weird for most people to think that a little girl would grow up having an old man as her best friend. I played dolls with my friends when I was younger, and though Mullah plays with Mariam she does not have interaction with other girls her age. She doesn't ever meet anyone to be friends with, due to the fact that she is forced to live in a secluded house and be home schooled.
When you live in a place like the United States you tend to not understand that not everyone is as lucky as we are. A lot of times, we take things for granted like education, family and friends. We don't like going to school, although kids in other countries would kill to receive the education we do. We fight with our families and don't appreciate them as much as we should. We don't thank our friends enough for supporting us and accepting us, when others may have to grow up so fast they will never get the chance to have childhood friends. Life is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum between Mariam and I.
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