Resilience and Hope: Analyzing Tariq in 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'

This essay provides an analysis of Tariq's character in Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns," highlighting his resilience, optimism, and strong moral compass amidst the tragic backdrop of war-torn Afghanistan. The analysis emphasizes Tariq's ability to overcome adversity, including the loss of his leg and the challenges of living in a refugee camp, and his unwavering support for Laila. It further explores how Tariq embodies a modern Afghan man who respects women and values love and loyalty. The essay also touches on Hosseini's portrayal of the patriarchal Afghan society and the struggles faced by children and families, contrasting the harsh realities with moments of beauty and wonder, as seen through Mariam's experiences. This document is available on Desklib, where students can find a variety of study resources and solved assignments.

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A Thousand Splendid Suns
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a tale of two generations that live under the shadow of
tragic wars and volatile events in Afghanistan. There is a struggle to find happiness or survive
amidst all that fear and violence. The tale is a moving account of family and friendship during
unforgiving times.
Laila’s friend Tariq loses his leg in a landmine explosion when he was five. However, he
tries to deal with his disability and uses his leg as an advantage. He deals with his disability in
his own way, and it reflects that he carries a strong character. He uses his prosthetic leg as a
weapon when needed and even gives a good beating to Khadim so that he never bothers Laila
again. He overcomes his adverse situations like his parents' deaths or living in a refugee camp or
losing his leg. When he outgrows his prosthetic leg, he waits for months until the Red Cross can
get him a new one. He gives hope and reasons to live to himself and Laila. Although he is
intelligent, he rarely shows his emotions.
Tariq’s behavior suggests that he has a storing and positive character. Despite his
handicap, he never lets the disability overshadow his optimistic nature. He looks at the positive
aspects of his life, like Laila’s positive influence and their relationship. He grows up to be a
responsible and sensitive adult. Despite facing a complicated and harsh life, he manages to reach
back to the positivism in his life. Tariq’s character reflects love, care, and respect for women and
their feelings (Monicka, Judith and Yazhini 184). He remains loyal and devoted to his wife. He
is always positive and feels lucky to have come out of his traumatic situation in life. It shows that

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he is a strong character. Tariq is the modern man of Afghan Society who shows respect and care
for women (Monicka, Judith, and Yazhini 184).
Khaled Hosseini, the Afghan-American writer in “A Thousand Splendid Suns” portrays
the patriarchal society in an unequal society which is male-dominated. His work opens a window
in the Afghan society and the life of children in Afghanistan at this time (Iynisha and. Shanthi
78). Children struggle to survive and tag along with their mothers as their fathers become victims
of war. The seeds of masculinity and dominance are sown right from childhood. Women are
traditionally inferior to men in Afghanistan society as shown in the novel. Families and children
struggle to survive, live with their sufferings as they try to find an anchor within the socio-
political turmoil. Children live in a world of illiteracy, suffering lives, child marriages and public
beatings (Banerjee 85). Children lived in impoverished conditions and often died because of
dysentery or other diseases. When Mariam explores Herat, she marvels at the beauty and
attractions around. There are crowded streets, bicycle riders, big park, oval-shaped pool, and
marble horses. There were flowers everywhere. Still, there were barefoot boys chasing cars and
buses with bags of quinces (Hosseini). It made Mariam wonder why they were so indifferent to
the marvels around them.

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Works Cited
Banerjee, Debdulal. “A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: A South Asian Saga of
Gender Apartheid and Emancipation.” Language in India, vol. 18, no. 8, Aug. 2018, pp.
84–89.
Iynisha, G., and K. Shanthi. “Masculinity: A Gamut in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled
Hosseini.” Language in India, vol. 18, no. 2, Feb. 2018, pp. 78–84.
Hosseini, K. " A Thousand Splendid Suns." Bloomsbury Publishing, vol. 1, no. 1, 2009, pp. 1-
432.
Monicka, A.Judith, and N. Yazhini. “Picturizing the Characters of Afghan Men in Khaled
Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns.” Language in India, vol. 18, no. 2, Feb. 2018, pp.
181–186.