A Thousand Splendid Suns: Study Guide

How old is Mariam at the beginning of chapter 1?

5 years old

Describe Nana's reaction to Mariam's breaking the bowl.

overly angry/aggressive

psychotic

Why does the speaker assert that the harami is innocent?

because it isn't her fault, it is her parents fault

How does Nana react after Jalil told Mariam about the pistachio tree?

she said those are just lies

Describe Jalil's family and business life.

Jalil has 3 wives and 9 children legitimate children, and he is rich

What happened to Nana after she became pregnant with Mariam?

she was kicked out and was forced to live alone

What does Nana wish her father had done?

aborted the child

Nana tells Mariam, "Like a compass a needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a women. Always. You remember that Mariam." What does this mean?

A man will always blame a women for his mistakes

Why had Nana refused to live in Herat?

she was scared of being judged

When Nana was fifteen, she almost got married. Why was the wedding called off?

she had seizers

According to Nana, why did Jalil build her and Mariam's house instead instead of hiring workers?

he was feeling guilty; he was paying his penance

Contrast Nana's and Jalil's version of Mariam's birth

Nana's: alone on a cold floor, she was in labor for 2 days

Jalil: born in a hospital, clean, and she was in labor for 1 hour

What chores do Nana and Mariam enjoy together?

cooking and cleaning

Who is Mullah Faizullah?

an akhund

What is this section indicates that Mariam and Mullah Faizullah have a close relationship?

he understands her the most

What does Mariam tell Mullah Faizullah she wants?

to learn

When Mullah Faizullah asks Nana to permit Mariam to attend school, she says to Mariam, "What's the sense schooling a girl like you? It's like shining a spittoon." What does Nana's simile mean?

"cleaning something over and over again, but it constantly getting dirty all over again."

Describe the anxiety Mariam feels as Jalil's visit approaches.

afraid he won't come

What characteristics of Jalil indicate that he is of a different socio-economic class than Mariam?

the newspaper clippings he brings and discusses with her, his clothes, and he's smart

When Jalil tosses Mariam in the air. Nana says that one day he will drop her. What does this imply about Nana's feelings for Jalil?

Nana doesn't trust him and she knows that Jalil is going to breaks Mariam's heart

Why do you think Nana behaves civilly when Jalil visits?

so he will keep supporting them

At the beginning of Chapter 5, how old is Mariam?

approaching 15th birthday

What tactics does Nana use to keep Mariam from going to visit Jalil? List as many as you can.

guilt, cruelty, and anger

After Nana's emotional outburst, Mariam wishes she could tell her mother certain things. What does she want to tell her, but does not?

"You're afraid Nana, you're afraid that I might find the happiness you never had. And you don't want me to be happy. You don't want a good life for me. You're the one with the wretched heart."

What does Mariam assume when Jalil does not arrive on time, and what does she do instead of waiting for him?

she assumes that he had been caught up in business

she lays down and paces back and forth

she eventually goes into town to find him

Describe what happens when Jalil's driver tries to get Mariam to get into the car?

she runs into the house and see's Jalil

The driver returns to her house, but at the last second, he yells, "Go back! No. Don't look now." To what is he referring?

Nana hanging from the tree

After the death of her mother, how do Mariam's feelings for Jalil change?

She feels like Nana was right all along about Jalil and that he's a lier, and not "real"

Mariam watches the "comings and goings of Jalil's daily life" from her bedroom window. How does she feel now that she knows what his life is like?

She feels like she put him on to high of a pedestal

Mariam feels guilty about her mother's death. Why and how does Mullah Faizullah try to comfort her?

He tells her that she was very sick and that is not her fault

He tries to distract her in order to get her mind off what happened

What shocking news do Jalil's wives tell Mariam at the beginning of Chapter 7? What is Mariam's reaction?

a suitor wants to marry her

she doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't know

Describe Rasheed

scruffy, big, smokes cigarettes, and he has large hands

Find and list similes in chapter 8

"front two pushed together like a gabled roof"

"yellow brown, like a rotting apple"

Describe the process of the marriage

not very emotional

completely "business"

rushed

Re-read the part describing Mariam and Rasheed's hurried wedding. Find and list one example of foreshadowing. What event do you think is being foreshadowed?

"Her own band was a little tight, but Rasheed has no trouble forcing her." - their sex life

the next time Mariam signed her name, 27 years later" -divorce/death?

How does Mariam respond when Jalil tells her that he will visit her in Kabul? How does Jalil then react to her request?

She tells him that she doesn't want to see him again

He is sadden by this request and runs after her

Why does Mariam have difficulty understanding Rasheed?

because of his accent; they're from different cities

Why does Mariam start to cry in the middle of the living room?

she doesn't want to be with Rasheed in his home

she feels extremely overwhelmed

In chapter 10, how much time has gone by, and how has Mariam responded to her new home?

one week and she is still in bed; she hasn't unpacked

What does Mariam do the day after Rasheed tells her he expects her to "start behaving like a wife"?

she cooks, cleans, and goes into town

What does Mariam hear some of the other wives saying about their husbands?

all they do is work

they don't take care of them

they're miserable with their husbands

Why does Mariam first begin to get nervous while standing in line?

when she hears them call her a harami and started looking at her

When the women approach and encircle Mariam, they do so out of curiosity and a welcoming spirit. Why do you think Mariam panics?

she's overwhelmed

she is not used to so many people being around her especially since she had just been through a traumatic experience

Mariam feels "a flare of pride" when Rasheed compliments her cooking. Why does this surprise her?

because she is starting to have feelings other than hatred towards him

What does Rasheed say about Fariba and the other women who do not wear burqas and who look him in the eye?

disrespectful

their too "modern"

they're out of control

Standing on Chicken Street, Mariam sees many "modern women. Describe these women and how they make Mariam feel about herself.

they wear make-up, short skirts, sunglasses, and high heels

they all walk around like they are busy

they made her feel unimportant, ignorant, and plain (invisible)

How do Mariam and Rasheed observe Ramadan differently?

Mariam enjoys it

They don't visit other people

Rasheed doesn't like to fast; makes him angry when he's hungry

What does Mariam remember about Ramadan back home at Gul Daman?

she would give candy and treats

Why does Mariam deny knowing Fariba when Rasheed asks her?

She knows that Rasheed doesn't like her and she's afraid to tell him that she talks to other people

Why does Mariam wish Nana could see the fireworks?

to show her new life with Rasheed and show her something happy

Rasheed has friends over and tells Mariam to stay in her room. Why is Mariam flattered by this demand?

because she thinks that he doesn't want the other men to look at her because she is so beautiful; he doesn't want to share her

Mariam finds herself in Rasheed's room. What does she find when she opens the drawers of the dresser?

gun; adult magazines; a picture of his ex wife and dead son

Why does Mariam feel Rasheed is a hypocrite for having the magazine?

because he said that women should only be seen by their husbands

Later, why does Mariam regret snooping in Rasheed's belongings?

because they are married and they need to trust each other; she didn't want to know his past

Why does Mariam now feel "a kinship" with Rasheed?

because the both have known death with those they love

Why does Mariam see bright colors on the ride home from the doctor?

she is sick; pregnant?

Why do you think Rasheed wants so badly for the baby to be a boy?

to replace his dead son

Why is Rasheed worried about the stairs, the knives, and the stove?

doesn't want the child to get hurt

Describe how Mariam feels when she thinks about the baby.

overwhelmingly happy, and she has never felt this much love before

What happens to Mariam at the bathhouse?

she starts to bleed; miscarriage

Rasheed covers Mariam in a "stiff, perfunctory" way and complains about the doctor's explanation -- "god's will." How is Rasheed feeling at this point?

frustrated at God and he is mad at Mariam

How has Mariam's mood changed by the end of chapter 13?

feels hopeless and depressed

Mariam grieves for her unborn baby. Describe the different beliefs and emotions she feels during this time.

she doubts God

she blames everyone (especially herself)

she hears her mom laughing at her from the grave; pay back

How has Rasheed changed since the loss of the baby?

distant and spiteful

How does Rasheed react when Mariam suggests having a burial service for the baby, and what does she do?

he thinks the idea is dumb but she does it by herself

How long has it passed between Chapter 14 and 15?

4 years

How does Rasheed treat Mariam when she asks questions about Mir Akbar Khyber?

treats her like a child and tells her that she is unintelligent

Of what does Mariam live in fear?

her husband and she wonders if he is going to kill her

How many babies has Mariam miscarried?

7 in all (includes the first child)

Why is cooking "an excuse in heightened anxiety" for Mariam?

Rasheed always finds something wrong with her food

What happens to Daoud Khan, and what is the result, according to Abdul Qader?

he was murdered

means two more democratic states

no more tyrants

Describe what happens at the end of the chapter 15 with the pebbles.

After he ate her rice, Rasheed makes Mariam chew on pebbles because he says that is what her rice tastes like. She breaks two molars

How much time has gone by since chapter 15-16?

9 years

The text states that Laila is "hungry for the sight of her Tariq," and that to her, "time stretched an contracted depending on Tariq's absence or presence." What can you infer about Laila's feelings for Tariq?

She relies on him and she also loves him

Describe Laila's appearance.

blonde curls

turquoise green eyes

thick lashes

dimpled cheeks

high cheek bones

pout of lower lip

What character from earlier in the novel is Laila's mother?

Fariba

Describe Babi, Laila's father.

born smart, forgetful, and small

Laila sees a blue Mercedes Benz in her neighborhood. The man in the back seat is wearing "a dark brown suit, with a white handkerchief triangle in the breast pocket." Who is this man, from earlier in the novel?

Jalil

How is Laila's teacher different from an American teacher? How is she similar?

she's violent

pro soviet union

Contrast Shanzai's opinion of Russia with her opinion of America

Russia: amazing

USA: corrupt, and bad

Describe Giti and Hasina, Laila's two friends from school.

Giti: skinny, anxious, and always has a frown on her face :(

Hasina: older because she flunked school, mischievous

Why does Laila wash herself thoroughly after the boys squirt her with their water gun?

the guns were filled with pee

What is a good day like for Mammy?

she smiled, bather, put on make-up, brushed her hair, and baked

Based on the information in this chapter (17) , why do you think Mammy stays in bed until three in the afternoon?

not over Ahmed, and she is depressed by it

Laila worries why Tariq has been away so long. What are some things she suspects has happened?

he decided to stay with his uncle

a land mine hurt/killed them

What sign does Laila receive that shows he is all right?

flash light signals

Why has Tariq been away longer than he anticipated?

his uncle was sick

Describe Laila's relationship with Tariq's family. Give details from the text that support your ideas.

they talk a lot; open relationship

Tariq's dad calls Laila his daughter

they all enjoy each others company

What causes Laila to learn that "boys differed from girls"?

boys don't show or accept affection they ways girls do

What happens when Laila tells Tariq about Khadim and his squirt gun?

Tariq beats him with his artificial leg

How does Babi's and Mammy's views of the communists differ?

Mammy: hates them

Babi: thinks their ideas are good

What news does the visitor bring Laila and her family?

her two brother Noor and Ahmed had died

Laila tries to console her mother, but the other women do not let her. How does this make Laila feel?

it made her feel useless

Why does Laila have a hard time putting herself in her mother's shoes?

she hardly knew her brothers and she only really had Tariq in her life

The deaths of Laila's brothers debilitate Fariba. How does Laila's role in the household change?

she becomes the sole provider of the family

cooks, cleans, and bathes Mammy

Laila believes that "her future was no match for her brothers' past." What does this mean?

she will never be able to live up to her brothers

Laila fears Mammy might kill herself. Mammy assures her she will not, but, if that is the case, why is Laila left with dueling emotions?

life would be easier if Mammy were gone

What historical landmark does Babi take Laila and Tariq to see?

Buddha in Bamiyan Valley

What causes "a wave of affection" to come over Laila?

When Babi reminisces about Mammy when she was younger

In what way does Babi say his grief is different from Mammy's?

he is able to hide it