Patriarchy, oppression and resistance in a Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) by Khalid Hosseini
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Date
2018
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University of Oum El Bouaghi
Abstract
The aim of this study is to focus on female characters' long journey of endurance and resistance against violence, illustrating their characteristics in demonstrating their inner strength and abilities being challenged by hard life conditions under patriarchy. Particularly, it aims at explaining how Mariam is depicted as a strong woman who left the world as a brave person; she changed a condition of miserable, dependent and oppressed life to an independent, dignified life, free of oppressive male dominance by her sacrifice . The study attempts to provide an analysis of Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns from a psychoanalytic feminist perspective.
In the novel, the heroines are the characters who suffered tremendously from sexism and inequity, but in the end they re-emerge as women with dignity and self-confidence. Mariam transforms from a timid girl into an independent woman by the help of Laila and her children Zalmai and Aziza as supporting characters; from a girl who suffers a constant feeling of embarrassment and uselessness, she becomes a woman who has loved and has been loved. Her useless and unintended life can bring peace and comfort for the ones she has loved.
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Keywords
Résistance, Patriarchy, Psychoanalytic feminism, Oppression, Sacrifice