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Home » 21 Exceptional Quotes from A Thousand Splendid Suns

21 Exceptional Quotes from A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns is an epic novel by acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, who experience the heartache and struggles of living in a country torn apart by war and oppression.

 Through their resilience and courage, they are able to overcome immense hardships and find friendship in one another. As the novel progresses, readers are exposed to a variety of profound themes and emotions, often conveyed through powerful quotes.

About The Book “A thousand Splendid Suns”

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a heart-wrenching novel written by Khaled Hosseini that narrates the story of two Afghan women’s struggle for survival and to find hope in a world of turmoil.

The book follows the lives of Mariam and Laila, who are born 15 years apart in Kabul, Afghanistan. As the country goes through violent changes, including war, Taliban rule, and foreign occupation, their lives intertwine as they become companions on an epic journey from childhood to adulthood. It depicts the story of how these two characters fight for their freedom against oppressive forces in spite of all obstacles.

The book reveals how friendship and love can transform even the direst circumstances into something beautiful. A Thousand Splendid Suns poignantly portrays a powerful tale about strength and courage that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

About The Author Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini is an internationally renowned Afghan-American author, physician, and humanitarian. He was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965 and lived there until the age of 11 before relocating to San Jose, California, with his family.

Hosseini’s first novel ‘The Kite Runner’ was published in 2003 and has since become one of the most acclaimed books of its time. His other works include ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ (2007) and ‘And The Mountains Echoed’ (2013).

Apart from writing fiction novels, Hosseini is also actively involved in various humanitarian works across the world. He frequently visits refugee camps to understand their needs better and offer support where possible. Additionally, he is a Goodwill Envoy for UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees).

Quotes About Gender Inequality from “A thousand Splendid Suns”

Hosseini illustrates in his book the power of female friendship and its ability to overcome difficult situations. Mariam and Laila come from different backgrounds, yet their relationship transcends cultural boundaries and societal expectations. Let’s explore some quotes from the book to understand hardships related to gender inequalities from the author’s point of view.

“It’s our lot in life, Mariam. Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. Do you understand?”
-Nana, A Thousand Splendid Suns
quotes from a thousand splendid suns

In the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Nana, an elderly woman and Mariam’s mentor, speaks to her in these lines. The quote speaks to the plight of women who have faced difficult situations and still persevere despite it all.

Nana is conveying to Mariam that as a woman, she will have to face obstacles but that she must be resilient in order to survive them and find success in life. She is telling Mariam not to give up even when everything appears hopeless because resilience can bring about positive change no matter how hard life may seem.

“But I’m a different breed of man, Mariam. Where I come from, one wrong look, one improper word, and blood is spilled. Where I come from, a woman’s face is her husband’s business only. I want you to remember that. Do you understand?”
-Rasheed, A Thousand Splendid Suns
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“It wasn’t easy tolerating him talking this way to her, to bear his scorn, his ridicule, his insults, his walking past her like she was nothing but a house cat. But after four years of marriage, Mariam saw clearly how much a woman could tolerate when she was afraid.”
– Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“I know you’re still young, but I want you to understand and learn this now,” he said. “Marriage can wait, education cannot. You’re a very, very bright girl. Truly, you are. You can be anything you want, Laila. I know this about you. And I also know that when this war is over, Afghanistan is going to need you as much as its men, maybe even more. Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated, Laila. No chance.”
-Hakim(Babi), A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns

When Laila is told by Hakim that marriage can wait and education cannot, she may not understand the importance of his words in the midst of war. But his advice holds a timeless truth: education should always be prioritized over marriage.

In this war-torn country of Afghanistan, it’s possible that women Don’t have access to the same opportunities as men now. When Hakim(Babi) tells her that once the war is over, her country will need women just as much as men, he speaks with wisdom and understanding of what lies ahead. He knows that a woman’s only chance to rise above the rubble is through education, an invaluable asset too often overlooked by many.

“By the time we’re twenty, Giti and I, we’ll have pushed out four, five kids each. But you, Laila, you’ll make us two dummies proud. You’re going to be somebody. I know one day I’ll pick up a newspaper and find your picture on the front page.”
-Hasina, A Thousand Splendid Suns
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated, Laila. No chance.”
-Hakim(Babi), A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns

Quotes About Love and Loyalty

The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a beautiful yet haunting story of two women in Afghanistan struggling against the oppressive forces of their society. The theme of love and loyalty is seen throughout the book, not just between the two main characters, Mariam and Laila, but also between them and other characters like Rasheed, Jalil, and Tariq.

“She understood then what Nana meant, that a harami was an unwanted thing: that she, Mariam, was an illegitimate person who would never have legitimate claim to the things other people had, things such as love, family, home, acceptance.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid suns.
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”
-Mariam, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

This quote evokes sadness as the speaker speaks of something that cannot be counted or seen but only imagined. The two celestial bodies referred to are symbolic of beauty and freedom, something many people in the world can only dream about.

This powerful metaphor is commonly used to represent oppression, particularly for women living in countries where their rights are denied, and their voices are silenced. Living with such oppressive forces may make it seem like one’s dreams will never come true. Even so, hope remains that someday these walls will fall and these suns will shine again.

The speaker’s words express a longing for change, a wish that all women everywhere could have the same freedoms they deserve – to experience life without fear or limitation.

“It wasn’t easy tolerating him talking this way to her, to bear his scorn, his ridicule, his insults, his walking past her like she was nothing but a house cat. But after four years of marriage, Mariam saw clearly how much a woman could tolerate when she was afraid.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns
“But, miraculously, something of her former life remained, her last link to the person that she had been before she had become so utterly alone. A part of Tariq still alive inside her, sprouting tiny arms, growing translucent hands. How could she jeopardize the only thing she had left of him, of her old life?”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
“Why have you pinned your heart to an old, ugly hag like me?” Mariam would murmur into Aziza’s hair. “Huh? I am nobody, don’t you see? A dehati. What have I got to give you?”

But Aziza only muttered contentedly and dug her face in deeper. And when she did that, Mariam swooned. Her eyes watered. Her heart took flight. And she marveled at how, after all these years of rattling loose, she had found in this little creature the first true connection in her life of false, failed connections.
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Inspirational Quotes From A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a moving story of courage, survival, and hope. It follows the lives of two women in Afghanistan as they overcome unimaginable adversity. As such, it is filled with powerful messages that can bring strength and encouragement to anyone facing their own struggles.

This section will explore some of the most inspirational quotes from this incredible novel that can be used to motivate and inspire readers.

“You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you have to see and feel.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“Laila has moved on. Because in the end she knows that’s all she can do. That and hope.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“Boys, Laila came to see, treated friendship the way they treated the sun: its existence undisputed; its radiance best enjoyed, not beheld directly.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“Though there were moments of beauty, Mariam knew for the most part that life had been unkind to her.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns
“You can not stop you from being who you are.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
quotes from a thousand splendid suns

This well-known quote from Khaled Hoseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns serves as an inspiring reminder of one’s true identity and the importance of self-acceptance. It encourages readers to be proud of who they are and emphasizes that each individual is unique and authentic.

The quote speaks directly to those who feel oppressed by external pressures or judgments from others, reminding them that no matter what anyone else says, it is ultimately up to you to determine your identity. Hoseini’s words remind us that our beliefs and values make us who we are — not anything outside ourselves — and thus, no one can take away our essence or change it without our permission.

“Behind every trial and sorrow that He makes us shoulder, God has a reason.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
“A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing, Mariam. It isn’t like a mother’s womb. It won’t bleed. It won’t stretch to make room for you.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.
“A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint, her grace not sullied but shaped by the turbulence that washes over her.”
-Khaled Hoseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

FAQs

What is the story A Thousand Splendid Suns all about?

The epic story of three generations of Afghan women and their remarkable resilience.

How many miscarriages did Mariam have?

Six

Why should students read A Thousand Splendid Suns?

It’s a love story about Afghanistan and its people’s resilience, beauty, and strength. This story teaches us more about the power of true friendship than the pains of abuse.

Let’s Wind Up…

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a powerful and moving work of fiction that speaks to the experiences of women in Afghanistan. Through the story of Mariam and Laila, Khaled Hosseini illustrates both the strength and fragility of female relationships, as well as their resilience in the face of extremely oppressive circumstances. 

The novel is filled with memorable quotes that create lasting impressions and speak to the experiences of women around the world.