Likewise, in A Thousand Splendid Suns, Mariam is shown the true meaning of womanhood and Mammy and Babi’s relationship breaks as a result of dysfunctional marital relationships.
Utilizing Dysfunctional Marital Relationships in A Thousand Splendid Suns
Similarly, Mariam learns the true meaning of womanhood early on in the novel. Accordingly, in the Kolba, Nana rebukes Mariam and exclaims; “There is only one, only one skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don’t teach it in school . . . Only one skill. And it’s this: tahamul. Endure . . . It’s our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have”. (Hosseini 17)
As a result of the many hardships she experiences, Nana develops a robust character. More specifically, the distain she had felt as a pregnant servant helps her develop resilience. Nana recollects the times she was given daunting tasks as a servant. She attempts to show Mariam the true character of a woman in Afghanistan, endurance. Thus, Nana reveals the strength she gains from her relationship with Jalil. Therefore, Nana reveals the value of her dysfunctional marital relationship as a test of strength.
The picture illustrates the affect pressure has on coal to create diamonds. In relation to the theme, pressure is a symbol of the tough circumstances, which cause the development of characters, from coal to diamonds. More specifically, the picture relates to Nana’s strength, which she gains from her dysfunctional relationship with Jalil. As a result of the hardships she faces, Nana develops endurance and strength. Those are character traits she displays throughout the book. Thus, the visual representation illustrates how coal, which represents Nana as a pregnant slave, may turn into a diamond, which represents Nana as a robust mother.
Succumbing to Dysfunctional Marital Relationships in A Thousand Splendid Suns
Likewise, Mammy and Babi demonstrate the catastrophic results of their dysfunctional relationship. More specifically, in Kabul during the spring of 1987, Mammy scornfully reprimands Babi saying; “That’s your business, isn’t it, cousin? To make nothing your business. Even your own sons going to war. How I pleaded with you. But you buried your nose in those cursed books and let our sons go like they were a pair of haramis”. (Hosseini 100)
Babi sends his two sons off to war adamantly believing that they are fighting for greater good, the freedom of Afghanistan. Mammy is distraught as this influences her overall mood throughout the story. She struggles with depression, which impacts her relationship with Laila. Since Babi sent his sons to Afghanistan, Mammy constantly shows signs of hopelessness and rage towards Babi. Her emotions greatly increase after the death of Ahmad and Noor. Moreover, Mammy and Babi’s awful relationship leads to catastrophe since they fail to resolve their problems.
