Unity in the Face of Gender Inequality

The Taliban: A Radical Implementation of Law

In the last third of A Thousand Splendid Suns, the theme of the oppression of women’s rights in the Middle East is further shown due to the wide-spread influence of the Taliban. After political unrest ended between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan in the 1980s, a new force challenges the freedom and rights of women in the country. This is evident when, one day in the late 1990’s, Mariam finds a propaganda flyer about the new implementation of the Taliban’s laws within her community. The flyer discusses gender roles for both men and women in society, but restricts the roles of women more so than men. For men, it is expected that that they always wear a turban, and that they grow out their beards. For every citizen: “singing is forbidden, dancing is forbidden….playing chess, kite flying are forbidden, writing books, watching films, painting pictures are forbidden” (Hosseini, 277). And for women, the expectations are much higher:

                                You will not…show you face. You will cover with burqa when outside. If you do not, you will be severely beaten. Cosmetics are forbidden. Jewelry is forbidden. You will not wear charming clothes. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will not make eye contact with men. You will not laugh in public…..Girls are forbidden from attending school. All schools for girls will be closed immediately. Women are forbidden from working. If you are found guilty of adultery, you will be stoned to death. Listen. Listen well. Obey.  (278)

This flyer clearly demonstrates that women are targeted by the Taliban because they are weaker members of society. Women are seen as sex objects, cooks, cleaners, bearers of children, and people who cannot live without men. Laila and Mariam’s struggle with Rasheed’s abuse is only one of their many problems. Now they must be extra cautious of obeying every rule that is outlined by Taliban, because their lack of rights makes them vulnerable in the eyes of lawful authority.

An Afghan woman walks by the Taliban's alitery base in a burqa.
Mohammad Shoib/Courtesy Reuters

Characters Who Embody Feminism 

The development of a new feminist perspective, however, is shown to change characters’ actions and words. By the end of the novel, Mariam transforms into a selfless and courageous character when she sacrifices her freedom to kill Rasheed. After enduring sexual, physical and emotional abuse, the two women begin to form a strong bond in order to help them get through their struggles. Laila, who provokes Rasheed, makes him so angry to the point that he attempts to strangle her. Mariam, who watches Laila gasp for air, must make the choice to sacrifice her life in order to preserve Laila’s future. She uses a gardening shovel to kill Rasheed without hesitation. This demonstrates her major growth from being a shy, weak and naïve character, to a mature and strong women who no longer tolerates Rasheed’s abuse. After she kills Rasheed, with the knowledge that she will be stoned to death by the Taliban, Mariam decides to ask Laila, who’d become her sister, to leave with Aziza and Laila’s new child, Zalmai. Mariam is then taken to stadium where her public execution takes place. Her pure sacrifice for Laila, and her children, is represented when, in the text, it is stated, “She was leaving the world as a woman who had loved and been loved back. She was leaving it as a friend, a companion, a guardian. A mother…..She should die this way. Not so bad. This was a legitimate end to a life of illegitimate beginnings” (370). Mariam is seen as the ultimate hero in this novel because she gives of her life to protect her family.

Source: Pinterest 

I am inspired by Mariam’s choice to give her life for others because, while she embodies courage and strength, she also shows that humility is an important value that woman to possess. Being a loving friend, a reliable sister, means sacrificing oneself for the good of others. This novel has encouraged me to view feminism in different way than how most view the societal issue. I think part of what it means to be a morally conscious individual is understanding that women should have basic rights that protect their innocence, their safety, and most importantly their dignity as human beings.

Works Cited

"Campaign for Afghan Women & Girls - Feminist Majority Foundation." Campaign for Afghan                   Women & Girls - Feminist Majority Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 July 2016.

Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 21 July 2016.

Khaled Hosseini. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York: Riverhead Books, 2007.

Notes

Here is a link to the Feminist Majority Foundation, organization that advocates for the rights and freedoms of women in Afghanistan: Equality Around the World

Tags: Feminism, Friendship, Encouragement