How Mariam's life Begins
Mariam is the protagonist of Khaled Hosseini's 2007 novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. She is born in Herat, Afghanistan in the mid-1960s. Mariam is an illegitimate daughter to a wealthy businessman, Jalil, and his servant, Nana. Mariam is raised solely by her mother, who works as a housekeeper for Jalil. Despite Jalil's wealth, Mariam and Nana live in extreme poverty and are often ridiculed for their social status. Mariam's mother does her best to provide for her daughter, but their life is filled with hardship and struggles.
Mariam's Struggles with Social Norms and Expectations
Mariam is constantly reminded of her social status, and she struggles to fit in with the other kids in her village. Even though Mariam is educated and has a sharp wit, she is constantly bullied and harassed by her peers. The villagers are constantly reminding her of her illegitimacy and her mother's lowly social status. This only serves to further alienate Mariam from her community and makes her feel like an outsider. Even though Mariam is strong and resilient, she is constantly reminded of her social inferiority and this takes a toll on her self-esteem.
Mariam's Marriage to Rasheed
At the age of 15, Mariam is forced to marry Rasheed, a much older man from Kabul. Rasheed is a cruel and abusive husband and Mariam is subjected to physical and emotional abuse from him. Mariam is isolated from the outside world and is unable to escape from her loveless and oppressive marriage. She has no family or friends to turn to and is completely at the mercy of her husband. Despite all the hardship she faces, Mariam is determined to survive and remain strong.
Mariam's Friendship with Laila
Mariam's life takes a turn when she meets her husband's second wife, Laila. Laila is a young woman from a wealthy and educated family. She is kind and compassionate and soon becomes Mariam's friend and confidante. Laila helps Mariam to stand up to her husband and she encourages Mariam to be brave and strong. The two women form a close bond and become like sisters. Together, they are able to survive the oppressive and dangerous environment of Kabul.
Mariam's Redemption and Transformation
Mariam's life undergoes a transformation when she and Laila come up with a plan to escape from Rasheed. Mariam is emboldened by her friendship with Laila and together, they are able to escape to a safe place. Mariam is finally free from her oppressive marriage and is able to find her own redemption. Through her friendship with Laila, Mariam is able to become strong and independent. She learns to stand up for herself and is able to find her own path in life.
Mariam's Legacy
Mariam's story is one of resilience and strength. Despite all the adversity she faced, Mariam was determined to survive and find her own redemption. She is an inspiration to all women who face oppression and hardship. Mariam is a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we can always find the strength to fight back and create our own destiny.
Conclusion
Mariam's story in A Thousand Splendid Suns is an inspiring and uplifting tale of resilience and strength. Mariam is a reminder that we can all find courage in the face of adversity and that we can always find the strength to fight back and create our own destiny. Mariam is a true testament to the power of friendship and the strength of the human spirit.