FEMINISTIC ANALYSIS OF KHALED HOSSEINI’S NOVEL A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Besa JERLIU

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the elements of feminism in Khaled Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. This paper analyzes the impact of oppression toward women, which, of course, is not something new in our society. Women's oppression has existed for a very long time, especially in countries with a strict patriarchal society like Afghanistan. The author portrays the oppression of women through the two characters in the novel, Mariam and Laila. The method used in this paper is based on a qualitative research of the study. Close reading is used to better understand the characters of Mariam and Leila and the oppression they suffer throughout the novel. Moreover, learning about the experiences of Afghan women as portrayed in this novel is important for various reasons: first, depicting pictures of Afghan women in the Western media as oppressed, weak victims of war who need to be supported and protected serves to remove the continuous struggles of Afghan women during thirty years of civil war.

Pages: 51 - 58