A Thousand Splendid by Isabelle

A Thousand Splendid by Isabelle - October 2020 Scholarship Essay

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a tragic story of a young Muslim woman forced into a life that keeps her shackled. I've read this book multiple times but it never ceases to amaze me. Not only are the characters complex, their relationships with each other are so intricate it makes my heart ache and my eyes sting with tears at every turn.
Growing up in America as a white female, I have been sheltered from the tragedies that women are forced into around the world. Reading this book shook me to the core. It is truly unbelievable how ignorant the human race has become to allow violence to women, no matter what their religion states. I truly do not understand the need to control another being, especially from birth because of their gender. Many Muslim men utilize the Quran as a way to demean women and treat them as objects. Women are so much more than wives and homemakers.
The two main female characters, Mariam and Laila are truly strong women that inspire me to spread equality. Feminism is not believing a woman should have more than a man in any area of life. Feminism is being equals no matter the situation. This means equal treatment in the workplace, equal educational opportunities, equal criminal punishment, equal everything. Their actions in the book showed their true strength and courage, a reminder that no matter the treatment I face as a female, I am stronger than I know.