A Thousand Splendid Suns: Context & Writers Techniques

Context

Brief Biography of Khaled Hosseini

Early Life:

• Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, to a diplomat father and a Farsi and history teacher mother. The family moved to Paris for his father's work, and they were there when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

Education and Career:

• At age fifteen, Hosseini and his family sought asylum in the United States, settling in California. He attended Santa Clara University and later medical school. After the success of his debut novel, The Kite Runner, he left his job as a doctor to become a full-time writer.

Writing and Humanitarian Work:

• Hosseini published A Thousand Splendid Suns in 2007, inspired by his visit to Afghanistan in 2003. He is a UN goodwill ambassador and established a non-profit to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghans. He lives in Northern California.

The Novel's History

• When and Where Written: A Thousand Splendid Suns was written between 2004 and 2007 in California.
• Publication: The novel was published in 2007.
• Initial Reception: The novel was critically acclaimed and became a bestseller, praised for its emotional depth and portrayal of Afghan women's experiences.

Literary Contexts

Historical and Political Context

• Afghan History: The novel spans approximately forty years, from the early 1970s to 2003. This period includes Afghanistan's political turmoil: the 1973 bloodless coup, the 1978 Communist counter-coup, the 1979 Soviet invasion, the 1989 Soviet withdrawal, the 1990s Mujahideen infighting, the 1996 Taliban takeover, and the 2001 American occupation following the 9/11 attacks.
• Impact on Characters: Hosseini weaves historical events into the characters' lives, illustrating how political upheaval profoundly affects ordinary Afghans. Specific dates and leaders' names anchor the narrative in a real historical context, making the complex history accessible to English-speaking readers.

Cultural and Social Context

• Afghan Women's Experiences: Inspired by his visit to Kabul, Hosseini focuses on the lives of Afghan women in A Thousand Splendid Suns. The novel highlights their struggles and resilience amid societal and political challenges.
• Literary Influences: The novel draws on Persian poetry, including works by Rumi, Hafez, Omar Khayyám, and Ustad Khalilluah Khalili. The title comes from a 17th-century poem by Saib-e-Tabrizi. Hosseini's narrative style was influenced by John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, which he read in high school.

Philosophical, Religious, and Intellectual Ideas

• Resilience and Sacrifice: The novel explores themes of resilience and sacrifice, particularly through the characters of Mariam and Laila, who endure immense suffering yet find strength in their bond.
• Social Injustice: Hosseini critiques the social injustices faced by Afghan women, highlighting issues such as forced marriage, domestic violence, and lack of education.
• Cultural Identity: The novel delves into Afghan cultural identity, blending historical facts with personal stories to create a vivid portrayal of the country's rich heritage and turbulent history.

Useful Concepts to Be Aware of in the Novel

• Third-Person Narration: The story alternates between the perspectives of Mariam and Laila, providing a comprehensive view of their experiences and inner thoughts.
• Historical Context: Understanding Afghanistan's recent history is crucial to appreciating the novel's depth and the characters' struggles. The historical events are interwoven with the narrative, grounding the fictional story in real-world events.
• Symbolism: The novel uses symbolism to enhance its themes. For example, the title itself symbolizes the enduring beauty and resilience of Afghanistan, despite its tumultuous history.
• Emotional Depth: The novel's emotional intensity is a key aspect of its impact. Hosseini's portrayal of the characters' pain, love, and hope resonates deeply with readers.

Writer's Techniques

Structure and Plot

Dual Protagonist Structure

• The novel alternates between the perspectives of two main characters, Mariam and Laila, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of the themes of oppression and resilience.
• This dual perspective structure provides a comprehensive view of the socio-political changes in Afghanistan and their impact on women's lives.

Chronological and Non-Linear Narrative

• The narrative moves back and forth in time, juxtaposing Mariam's childhood with Laila's experiences, and highlighting generational differences and continuities.
• This non-linear approach enhances the emotional depth and historical context, offering readers a broader understanding of Afghan history and its effects on individual lives.

Language and Style

Symbolic Language

• Hosseini uses rich, symbolic language to convey deeper meanings and themes. For instance, the description of Kabul's changing seasons mirrors the tumultuous political climate.
• The lyrical and evocative descriptions of the Afghan landscape contrast with the harsh realities faced by the characters, enhancing the novel's emotional impact.

Dialogue and Cultural Nuances

• Dialogue is used effectively to reveal character traits and cultural contexts. The use of Afghan proverbs and local expressions enriches the narrative and grounds it in its setting.
• The realistic portrayal of domestic conversations and conflicts adds authenticity to the characters' experiences and struggles.

Symbols

The Burqa

• The burqa symbolizes the oppression of women under patriarchal and extremist regimes. Mariam's and Laila's experiences with wearing the burqa reflect their subjugation and loss of identity.
• Over time, the burqa also becomes a symbol of solidarity and resistance as Mariam and Laila find strength in their shared struggles.

The Kolba

• Mariam's childhood home, the kolba, represents isolation and marginalization. It is a physical manifestation of her illegitimacy and her mother's shame.
• The destruction of the kolba marks the end of Mariam's old life and the beginning of her tumultuous journey in Herat and Kabul.

The Bamiyan Buddhas

• The Buddhas symbolize Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage and the devastating impact of the Taliban's regime. Their destruction parallels the obliteration of the characters' personal histories and identities.
• For Laila, the Buddhas represent a time of happiness and peace, making their destruction a poignant reminder of what has been lost to war and extremism.