The Role Of Feminism In A Thousand Splendid Suns

The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns describes the plight of the Afghan women both under the patriarchal social systems of the Afghan society and the brutal forces of political parties. Hosseini actually gives a message through this novel by showing the power of unity through the main characters, Mariam and Laila. With these two characters he has raised the issue of feminism and gender equity. The novel stresses over the rights of women who are not given access to education and freedom of choice. Male dominance is the major concern that relates this novel to feministic aspect.
Key words: Feminism, Male dominance, Strong bond, Love, Patriarchal resistance.
Feminism became an organized movement in 19th century as people came to believe that women were treated unfairly. The feminist movement was rooted in the progressive movement and especially in the reform movement of the 19th century, when the major roots of feminist criticism

Always. You remember that, Mariam."(A Thousand Splendid Suns, P-7)
The patriarchal system of Afghanistan is such as male are important than woman. It seems as Afghan government has given them licence to do whatever satisfy their desires. We see only the woman characters suffer as such there is no punishment in the law of Afghan government for the evil doers ‘males.’ Jalil satisfies his animal desire only to get bed with Nana when it comes into the notice of Jalil that Nana has got pregnant of his child. In maintaining his honor, he feels shame to keep Nana inside his home without knowing that it’s his own creation.
Nana, after giving birth to Mariam an illegitimate child, a Harami. The tag remained attached with her name throughout her life, for no fault of her and her mother is the one, who emphasized this idea the most because she herself has paid the full price for having a child out of