Topic C

 In " A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini’s, Hosseini utilizes the literary elements setting and irony to show the colossal differences between the two genders.

The story takes place in Afghanistan, and this is very significant to the story. The reason why is because the people who control Afghanistan are the Taliban. Their views are seen radical, violent, and sexist. "Under Taliban rule women have been stripped of their visibility, voice, and mobility." And under the influences of the Taliban, many of the men in Afghanistan have followed their lead. Treating women like filth and having no remorse. This can be seen throughout the book by Rasheed's actions. How he treats Mariam, forcing Mariam to chew on rocks, it becomes clear that not only is there no love within the marriage currently, but love between Rasheed and Mariam will never evolve. As long as the Taliban is in power Men will always have superiority over women.

  Hosseini utilizes irony in the story to show the deviation between the two genders. Mariam use to look up to Jalil. He was everything to her, but feeling was definitely not mutual. During one of Jalil's visits he tells the story about Queen Gauhar Shad who had raised the famous minarets in Herat in the 15th century. It is very ironic how this Queen had so much power over her people, but in Afghanistan Women have no power at all. Hosseini uses this in a comical way but also to put the story in perspective. In other countries, a Women can be on top, a leader, and a model. This is very different from Mariam's life in Afghanistan, the irony in Jalil's story is almost comical.

The story "The Thousand Splendid Suns" the gender difference can be distinctly seen. Khaled Hosseini uses this to not only develop his story, but to also show the injustices in many countries. There will always be oppression, but when there's oppression there will be hope.