Endurance, Resistance and Incessant Quest for Identity: A Feminist Study of Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns

Abstract

This paper explores the unyielding endeavor of the female characters to seek identity as delineated in Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. The study unveils women’s plight in the politically-turbulent Afghan society; examines how Afghan women tolerated the predicament ratified upon them, and the resistance they imparted to get an inimitable identity. It believed that women can play an undeniable role in the progress of a country, however, if they are deprived of their rights, there would be ultimate feminism insurgence and emancipation against the injustices. Through his writings, Hosseini tried to give voice and moral encouragement to Afghan women by constructing empowered, resistant, rebellious, and strong female characters. This study traces how Hosseini interrogates the patriarchal hierarchies that encompass the identity of women and analysis the political and social bigotries directed towards the female protagonists, who exhibit socio-political activism throughout their distressing journey. The conclusion holds that in a patriarchal system, women cannot cope with the domination and intolerance of the society, however, women’s friendship and unification prove resistance as a sanctuary for them.

Keywords: A Thousand Splendid Suns, feminism, patriarchy, endurance, resistance, identity.