Spousal Abuse in A Thousand Splendid Suns

Physical Abuse

Discussion Questions

Works Cited

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. Trade

Paperback ed. N.p.: Penguin Canada, 2008.

Print.

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Paperback

ed. Scribner, 2004. Print. THE GREAT GATSBY.

Conclusion

1. Why do you think domestic violence victims do not leave their abusive spouses?

2. Why is domestic violence very common in countries like Afghanistan?

3. What would you do if you were put in Laila or Mariam`s shoes?

Sexual Abuse

Verbal, Physical, and sexual abuse are all types of domestic violence that are present within the novel, "A Thousand Splendid Suns." There are many examples of the theme of sexual abuse being evidently presented and the author does a great job in making sure we are aware of them. The author also wanted to make readers aware of how men in countries like Afghanistan treat their spouses because women all over the world are being treated the way Rasheed treated Laila and Mariam. Spousal abuse is present in the novel, "The Great Gatsby" and is displayed by Wilson, Myrtle`s husband. Both Laila and Mariam were being abused by their husband and could not leave because they were physically and mentally unable to, resulting in the spousal abuse continuing.

A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Great Gatsby Spousal Abuse

Verbal Abuse

Sexual Abuse

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "The Great Gatsby" are both novels that share the theme of spousal abuse. In "The Great Gatsby," Myrtle tries running away from her abusive husband and is struck by a car during the process. This relates well to "A Thousand Splendid Suns" because Rasheed was abusive as well and tried to kill Laila by strangling her. Rasheed would have killed Laila if Mariam did not save her because his anger is uncontrollable. both women were defenseless and unable to protect themselves from their husbands. Myrtle died running away form her husband, Wilson because he was abusing her, which shows that spousal abuse is present in both, "The Great Gatsby" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns."

"There is no shame in this, Mariam, it's what married people do. It's what the Prophet himself and his wives did. There is no shame." (page 77) Rasheed is trying to convince Mariam to have sexual intercourse with him because Mariam refuses to and said she can`t. Rasheed did not take no for an answer and continued anyway, sexually abusing Mariam. This is significant because it shows how men can take advantage of their spouses in Afghanistan or in any country in the world. The author is trying to show readers that even when couples are married, it is still considered sexual abuse when you are forcing your spouse to have sexual intercourse against their will.

Continuation..

Verbal Abuse

"You try this again and I will find you. I swear on the Prophet's name that I will find you. And, when I do, there isn't a court in this godforsaken country that will hold me accountable for what I will do. To Mariam first, then to her, and you last. I'll make you watch. You understand me? I'll make you watch." (142) This quote is from the scene already discussed, when Laila and Mariam tried fleeing the country. Rasheed verbally abuses Laila and threatens to kill her. The author is trying to show us that verbal abuse usually follows with Physical abuse and how defenseless women can be when they are being abused by their spouse.

Physical Abuse of Laila

Continuation...

Introduction

Rasheed had mostly abused Laila and Mariam during the same arguement because he could not control his anger. "And then he was on Laila, pummeling her chest, her head, her belly with fists, tearing at her hair, throwing her to the wall." (157) As discussed in the previous slide, Laila had Joked around with Rasheed about him getting fired from his job, which resulted in him beating and abusing her. "The slap made a loud smacking sound, the palm of his thick-fingered hand connecting squarely with the meat of Laila's cheek. It made her head whip around." (154) This quote describes Rasheed abusing Laila because she said she did not want him to turn his daughter into a street beggar. This is significant because it shows that Rasheed would abuse his spouses over anything that makes him angry.

"He was still on top of Laila, his eyes wide and crazy, his hands wrapped around her neck." (181) This scene was a very significant part of the book and the most violent example of spousal abuse present in the novel. Tariq came to visit Laila after many years and Rasheed was not happy about that, so he beat Laila, almost killing her. Marium was not going to let Laila die, so she killed Rasheed using a shovel, knowing that later on she would be executed. This example shows Mariam and Laila being abused and that Mariam was willing to give up her own life to kill Rasheed. It also shows Rasheed being abused and killed, making this scene a very significant part of the book.

Physical Abuse of Marium

Another example of Mariam being abused by Rasheed is when Laila was joking around with him about how he got fired from his job, but with Rasheed lacking a sense of humor, he did not find it funny. He attacked Laila, and Mariam tried to protect her. "Mariam threw herself on Laila. He went on kicking, kicking Mariam now, spittle flying from his mouth, his eyes glittering with murderous intent, kicking until he couldn't anymore." (157) This quote is an example of spousal abuse because Rasheed was kicking Mariam uncontrollably. Whenever Rasheed seems to get angry, he abuses both wives, not just one. Another example is when Rasheed was not happy with Mariam`s cooking, so he made her chew on pebbles. "His powerful hands clasped her jaw. He shoved two fingers into her mouth and pried it open, then forced the cold, hard pebbles into it. Mariam struggled against him..." (104) This quote shows us that Mariam was struggling because Rasheed was abusing her and forcing her to chew on pebbles against her will. These examples of spousal abuse regarding Mariam show that she was defenseless and unable to do anything about it.

Theme of Spousal Abuse in The Novel A Thousand Splendid Suns

The novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini includes various themes, such as corrupting influence of absolute power, systematic victimization of women by patriarchal institutions, resistance to victimization, Power of education, and education for women. Spousal abuse is another one of its major themes and is evidently present within the novel.The story takes place in Afghanistan where women are commonly abused by their spouses because domestic violence is recurrent in this country, especially in the late 1900’s. Mariam and Laila are both characters in the novel who are abused by their husband, Rasheed unreasonably. There are many examples of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse within the novel, in which this presentation will provide.

Mariam had been a victim of abuse since she was young and it did not take years of marriage for Rasheed to take part in it. Marium and Rasheed`s marriage was fine up until Mariam had a miscarriage. Mariam and Laila were fed up with the abuse of their husband and decided to flee to Pakistan. They were both stopped and brought home by a police officer and Rasheed was furious. He started to beat Laila and then Marium. "She saw Rasheed leading Mariam across the yard by the nape of her neck." (140) This quote explains Laila witnessing Mariam being abused by their husband. There was nothing Marium or Laila could do at that point because he is such an aggressive and awful man, who would probably kill them without giving it a second thought.