Abstract

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-born American contemporary novelist and physician. He has published three novels, all of which are at least partially set in Afghanistan and feature an Afghan as the protagonist. Among them, his second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) was a Times Best Seller for 103 weeks. The novel tells how the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, become intertwined after a series of drastic events, and their subsequent friendship and support for each other in the backdrop of Kabul at the turn of the century. It is divided into four parts according to the chronological order and story development, and this thesis mainly analyzes the growth of one of the protagonists Mariam and the awakening of her female consciousness. Firstly, it analyzes Mariam’s acceptance of patriarchal oppression, including the acceptance of father’s arragement and husband’s oppression. Then, it analyzes Mariam’s awakening of female consciousness with the help of two guides. She gets kinship and friendship from Laila, and she also gives a selfless and unconditional love for Aziza. Finally, it analyzes Mariam’s growth in moral and psychological aspects. By analyzing Mariam’s growth course, this thesis hopes to reveal the cruelty of patriarchal society and appeal to the awakening of female self-awareness.

Key Words: Khaled Hosseini; A Thousand Splendid Suns; Growth; Awakening; Female consciousness

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

2  Acceptance of Patriarchal Oppression-4

  2.1 Acceptance of father’s arrangement-4

  2.2 Acceptance of husband’s oppression-7

3  Awakening of Female Consciousness with the Help of Two Guides-9

  3.1 The kinship and friendship with Laila-9

  3.2 The selfless and unconditional love for Aziza-10

4  The Signs of growth-12

  4.1 The behavioral growth of Mariam-12

  4.2 The psychological growth of Mariam-13

5  Conclusion-15

Bibliography-16

Acknowledgements-17