A Thousand Splendid Suns (pg.153-199)

Notes:

* Note: It is now January 1989 (3 months before Laila's 11th birthday)

• The last of the Soviet soldiers are exiting Afghanistan (however, Najibullah is known for his allegiance to the Soviets, so they will continue to exert some power at least through him)

* Laila is beginning to have feelings beyond those of friendship for Tariq. During a kissing scene in a movie, both seem to feel a somewhat uncomfortable attraction to one another. They are approaching their teens, and are just beginning to see members of the opposite sex in another light. (157)

* Note: 3 more years pass (April 1992)

* Tariq's father has suffered a series of strokes, which have resulted in reduced mobility of his left hand and a slight slur.

* Laila's friend Hasina was married away to her cousin in a different town. He proceeded to arrange plans to move to Germany right away.

* Collapse of the Soviet Union and formation of the Republic of Russia. Najibullah attempts to cut ties with Soviets as well and appear a devout Muslim, but he had already lost the respect and trust of his country.

• April 1992 Najibullah surrenders power and flees to the UN. The Mujahideen regain control over Afghanistan.

* With the collapse of the Soviets and Najibullah's surrender, Fariba became alive again. She shed her black clothing for the first time since the death of her sons and did the household chores. She plans to throw a party immediately.

• For the first time it seems, she notices and takes interest in her daughter as well. Fariba comments on the fact that Laila is now plucking her eyebrows and even asks about Tariq. Before such a thing never would have happened.
• Warns Laila that she is getting older, and as such people may start talking about her and Tariq in a negative way. Fariba: "He's a boy, you see, and, as such, what does he care about reputation? But you? The reputation of a girl, especially one as pretty as you, is a delicate thing, Laila." (162)
• Double standard: A male can do whatever and his reputation essentially remains intact. However, a woman must be very careful or she will be stuck with a bad reputation, and will therefore be undesirable.
• It bothers Laila that Mammy says something after not paying any attention to her for years. She feels as if her mother has no right to interfere in her life.

* Laila has noticed the difference in how people in public react when they see her and Tariq in public now.

• "For some time now, Laila had begun to sense a new strangeness when the two of them were out in public. An awareness of being looked at, scrutinized, whispered about, that Laila had never felt before. [...] Mommy had a point. More than she knew, in fact. Laila suspected that some, if not most, of the neighbors were already gossiping about her and Tariq." (163)

* Laila's feelings have continued to grow for Tariq, and hormones have begun to kick in. Their friendship now has another element, although they have not done anything sexual and have not admitted it to one another.

• "She had fallen for Tariq. Hopelessly and desperately. When he was near, she couldn't help but be consumed with the most scandalous thoughts, of his lean, bare body entangled with hers. [...] When she thought of him this way, she was overtaken with guilt, but also with a peculiar, warm sensation that spread upward from her belly until it felt as if her face were glowing pink." (163)
• However, she is not open about it and makes an effort to hide her feelings for him in front of friends and family. Women should not chase men or be openly enamored with them. It is part of the modesty expected of Muslim women.

* Laila's friend Giti has fallen for a boy as well. They have met twice (secretly of course because it would be considered inappropriate if people knew), and he is supposed to ask for her hand. She is 16, and ready to get married. When Laila asks her about school, she is obviously unconcerned about it.

* At the party, the women are all in the kitchen preparing the food and the men are outside in the yard discussing politics and playing games. Men are not allowed in the house during preparations, and it becomes apparent that Tariq is now considered a man because the women shoe him out when he comes to pick at the food. Children are inside with the women.

• "He stood almost a foot taller than Laila now. He shaved. His face was leaner, more angular. His shoulders had broadened." (167) --> They are growing up
• Men take their share of food first, and then women and children are allowed to take what they want. They eat separately.

* Political unrest again takes a firm grasp on the country as the Mujahideen's find enemies amongst themselves and let bullets fly. Kabul essentially becomes a war zone. (Fariba shuts herself in her room once more).

• Bombing of the city begins. The only reprise is during the 5 daily prayers, when the men would lower their weapons and tend to their duty as Muslims. Massoud's soldiers line the streets in their tanks and with their loaded guns. Innocent civilians are used for target practice and to take revenge against other peoples (Pashtuns vs Hazaras).
• Fear overcomes the city, including Laila. Fear of their own death, of that of their loved ones. Fear of the unknowing future. People stay in their house unless it is essential to leave.
• Women are raped, tortured and slaughtered in their homes.
• Laila forced to drop out of school due to the danger in the streets. However, Babi begins to home school her and attend to her studies.

* Tariq and Laila kiss (their 1st outward display of their real feelings for one another).

* Fariba refuses to leave her home country despite the extreme violence and Babi's pleas.

* Laila's friend Giti and two other girls are hit by a rocket while walking down the street and are killed.

* Tariq tells Laila that his family has decided to leave Afghanistan (the day before they go), and that he is leaving as well. She is devestated.

• Everyone is leaving, and the neighborhood homes are now filled with militia and other families that have taken over the abandoned houses.
• They have sex for the first, and only, time after he tells her. In the heat of the moment after she is screaming at him for going.
• She is no longer a virgin, and therefore not considered suitable for marriage (especially to anyone of high status).
• He asks her to come with him, and tells her that he wants to marry her, but she cannot leave her father. Her obligation and love for Babi is too strong, and she cannot leave him alone despite her love for Tariq (not selfish, cares more about her father's happiness and well being than her own).

* Laila feels conflicted about having had sex with Tariq

• "Inside Laila too a battle was being waged: guilt on one side, partnered with shame, and, on the other, the conviction that what she and Tariq had done was not sinful; that it had been natural, good, beautiful, even inevitable, spurred by knowledge that they might never see each other again." (187)
• She should not have done it, according to her religion and society, yet she loves him and it felt right.

* Laila's mother finally conceded to leave Afghanistan, and they decided to go to Pakistan first. Laila hopes to find Tariq, since that is where his family went.

• It took Laila almost getting struck in the head by a bullet in her own yard to convince Fariba.

* The day that they are moving everything out of the house, it is hit by a rocket/missile and both of Laila's parents are killed. She is the only survivor. Laila falls in and out of consciousness in the hospital, and doesn't really know what has happened yet.

Observations/Overview:

Afghanistan goes from war with the Soviets to a civil war. Times are unstable, and Kabul has become a central war zone. What looked so promising turns into a nightmare. Everyone is a victim of the situation, including Laila and her family. If she was not fully forced into adulthood by having to take over the domestic responsibilities of the house, she has been now. Not only does she have to deal with the loss of her close friend, the man she loves leaves and both of her parents are killed. Although the way she handles her parent's deaths hasn't been revealed yet, it cannot be well. She is left essentially alone in the world.

Laila's character is becoming more developed as the story goes on. She is growing up, and is going through many of the things that all young adults and teenagers go through. She feels interest along with confusion about love and sex. Laila ends up having sex outside of marriage, which would be considered a huge sin by the Islamic religion. This shows that she is somewhat unorthodox, although she does feel guilt afterwards. She is a strong and caring woman. This can be seen in her refusal to leave her father behind when Tariq asks her to go with him. Even though he offers her everything she has ever dreamed of, she puts her father's well being and happiness above her own. This could be seen as characteristic of traditional values as well, however, because women hold a responsibility to their fathers and the men in their lives. They are expected to put the male before themselves. However, it is obvious that the bond between Laila and Babi goes way beyond obligation. Along with growing up, Laila becomes exposed to social values and how she is expected to act and behave. She does continue to see Tariq, but it becomes more and more private. They can no longer walk around freely in public because it is seen as immoral. She has to face gossip and rumors regarding their relationship. Laila has also become one of the neighborhood women, and as such is expected to help out with the cooking and to separate herself from the men. She is expected to act with modesty and to subdue her sexual desires and thoughts. Laila takes this role on well is some respects, and poorly in others. She should not be kissing Tariq, and if they want to continue to have a relationship they should get married according to tradition. She has absolutely learned the skills that she will need to make a suitable wife. The loss of her virginity poses a big problem when it comes to marriage. Most men will not take a woman that is not a virgin. She is seen as dirtied, shamed, and unsuitable for marriage.

Fariba is an interesting character. For a short time she sheds her shell of depression and takes on her role as the woman of the house. Her demeanor changes completely, and it is as if she is a completely different person. Fariba is obviously very prone to depression, and her mood can change quickly and drastically. At times, it seems as if she could have bi-polar disorder due to her extreme bouts of depression and then occasional periods of euphoria. While she is happy she is the loving wife and mother, and while she is sad she is more or less dead to the world. Either way, she does not play the role of a traditional Muslim woman. Although women are often considered to be prone to emotion, they also are expected to continue to take care of the home no matter what the circumstances. They are supposed to take care of their husbands, which she obviously does not do. She is however, aware of the social expectations of women, and shows concern for her daughter's reputation (for the first time in the novel).