A Thousand Splendid Suns

1. What were your expectations of the story, considering that it was set in Afghanistan? Did it go
against your expectations?

What I expect from this selection, which is based on the stories of Afghanistan, it shows the oppression
of women. They experience being controlled where they are forced into marriage, and the symbol to
them of wearing the burka is two ways that women are shown that they have no right to object what is
the decision of their parents. They have no right to disrespect what their fathers say and also they have
no right complain about their abusive husbands. The tradition of Afghanistan is not new to me because I
have heard or read it. Sometimes I even see it on television so the story is not far from what I expected.

2.How would you describe the burqa?

The burqa is a head cover ,it is a piece of clothing which a woman wears in order to cover her face,
although at times revealing only her eyes.

3.Would you ever want to wear one? Why or why not?

Maybe, I can wear burqa in just one time because in Afghanistan it express piety, modesty, rejection of
western culture, political views, and cultural views among other reasons.But I must prefer each
everyone of us not used this kind of cloth because wearing burqa symbolize being manipulate to be
true to our self.

4.What do you think it symbolizes?

This symbolizes the fact that women were not allowed to have their sense of independence and were no
longer equal to men, as men did not have to cover their body parts. So, the burqa is a sign of
imprisonment.

5.How would you describe Mariam relationship with Rasheed? What can you predict about their
relationship in the future?

From what we understand mariam is not in love with his husband and there tradition, couples are put
together based on need, and what their parents believe works best. Neither knows mariam what will
she act with her husband Rasheed. All she knows is that she acts as a perfect wife. Nowadays, people
get married when they love each other. However, this time it is not based on the act of love but comfort
between the two. Ann