A Thousand Splendid Suns Quote Bank
Quote Analysis
Nana “clumsy little Harami” Describes Mariam’s illegitimate status as something
“unwanted thing” (p4) negative.
Nana “This is my reward for everything I endured” (p4) Nana’s pessimistic outlook on life. Shows placement of
women like Nana in society; undesirable things keep
happening to her.
Jalil said Mariam was “his little flower” (p4) Contrast between Nana and Jalil; he is more friendly.
Jalil “betrayed us” “cast us out” and “did it happily” (p5) Nana’s outlook on Jalil; the real Jalil?
Jalil was “one of Herat’s wealthiest men” (p6) Jalil is well-off
Nana “The children of strangers get ice-cream” whereas Nana tries to paint Jalil in a bad light. This quote also shows a
Mariam gets “stories of ice cream” (p6) difference between the life of a legitimate vs illegitimate
child, as “haramis” like Mariam are kept away from society,
hence she only hears stories.
Nana “I forced myself on him” “It was my fault” Nana repeating Jalil’s lies to show how women struggle due
“a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman” (p7) to men
Nana seen as a “mugwort” (p8) Shows Nana was tossed aside; she is viewed badly by Jalil’s
family
The Kolba was on a “rutted, uphill dirt track” (p9) Kolba is not in a nice place/setting; reflects Nana and
Mariam’s status/position in society
“King Zahir Shah’s mostly uneventful forty-year reign” Shows Afghan life was peaceful at this time. Political events
(p11) are used to reflect general society’s make-up/structure.
“Jalil hadn’t bothered to summon a doctor” (p11) Depicts him as uncaring as Nana was giving birth at this time.
Nana was a “tall, bony, barefoot woman” Nana’s appearance reflects her status/position in society.
Her hair was “uncovered and uncombed”
She wore an “ill fitting grey shirt”
She had a “rotting front tooth” (p14)
Nana “You’re a good daughter” (p14) Nana only appreciates when Mariam conforms to her views
Mullah Faizullah “God’s words will never betray you, my Shows importance/reliance on religion in Afghan society
girl” (p17)
“When Mariam spoke, his attention never wavered” (p17) Mullah Faizullah genuinely cares/dotes over Mariam
“It was easy to tell Mullah Faizullah things that Mariam Mariam does not have a natural connection with Nana, at
didn’t dare tell Nana” (p17) least not to the extent that she does with Mullah Faizullah.
Nana’s abrasive personality makes Mariam uncomfortable.
Nana advises Mariam to “endure” (p18) Nana realises Mariam will have a difficult life due to her
harami status and her upbringing. She knows it won’t get
better, so she tells Mariam to endure it. Perhaps Nana’s
horrible personality was on purpose, in order for Mariam to
develop thick skin so that she can ‘endure’ life way easier.
This could show Nana has Mariam’s best interests at heart.
Nana “If you really care about her, then you make her see Nana gaslights the Mullah; manipulative personality. Just
that she belongs at home with her mother” (p19) because someone is blood related doesn’t mean they are
good for someone.
“no one that Mariam longed to see more than Jalil” Mariam loves Jalil; he seems to have her fooled.
“If Jalil was running late, a terrible dread filled her” (p20)
Jalil “always wore a suit” (p21) Presenting himself as upper class and visibly different from
harami Mariam, so that people don’t think he is one of them
“King Zahir Shah (…) overthrown in a bloodless coup” (p23) Catalyst for life becoming more difficult
Nana “why did God give me an ungrateful daughter like Nana is visibly angry/upset that Mariam chose Jalil over her.
you?” She sees the one thing she loves be taken away from her by
“How dare you abandon me like this” the person that deserted her.
“you treacherous little harami!” (p27)
Nana “You think you’re a daughter to him?” (p27) Jalil doesn’t want her.
“Jalil’s car was black shiny, with glittering wheels” (p31) Affluent/upper class
“so tall, so foreboding, Jalil’s walls” (p32) Foreboding walls could foreshadow Jalil not being as nice as
he makes out. Something bad will happen.
Mariam “tears of deep, deep shame at how foolishly she Mariam upset at Jalil’s treatment of her.
had given herself over to Jalil” (p35)
“Nana dangling at the end of it” (p36) Nan’s sui9cide after she feels she has nothing to live for;
Quote Analysis
Nana “clumsy little Harami” Describes Mariam’s illegitimate status as something
“unwanted thing” (p4) negative.
Nana “This is my reward for everything I endured” (p4) Nana’s pessimistic outlook on life. Shows placement of
women like Nana in society; undesirable things keep
happening to her.
Jalil said Mariam was “his little flower” (p4) Contrast between Nana and Jalil; he is more friendly.
Jalil “betrayed us” “cast us out” and “did it happily” (p5) Nana’s outlook on Jalil; the real Jalil?
Jalil was “one of Herat’s wealthiest men” (p6) Jalil is well-off
Nana “The children of strangers get ice-cream” whereas Nana tries to paint Jalil in a bad light. This quote also shows a
Mariam gets “stories of ice cream” (p6) difference between the life of a legitimate vs illegitimate
child, as “haramis” like Mariam are kept away from society,
hence she only hears stories.
Nana “I forced myself on him” “It was my fault” Nana repeating Jalil’s lies to show how women struggle due
“a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman” (p7) to men
Nana seen as a “mugwort” (p8) Shows Nana was tossed aside; she is viewed badly by Jalil’s
family
The Kolba was on a “rutted, uphill dirt track” (p9) Kolba is not in a nice place/setting; reflects Nana and
Mariam’s status/position in society
“King Zahir Shah’s mostly uneventful forty-year reign” Shows Afghan life was peaceful at this time. Political events
(p11) are used to reflect general society’s make-up/structure.
“Jalil hadn’t bothered to summon a doctor” (p11) Depicts him as uncaring as Nana was giving birth at this time.
Nana was a “tall, bony, barefoot woman” Nana’s appearance reflects her status/position in society.
Her hair was “uncovered and uncombed”
She wore an “ill fitting grey shirt”
She had a “rotting front tooth” (p14)
Nana “You’re a good daughter” (p14) Nana only appreciates when Mariam conforms to her views
Mullah Faizullah “God’s words will never betray you, my Shows importance/reliance on religion in Afghan society
girl” (p17)
“When Mariam spoke, his attention never wavered” (p17) Mullah Faizullah genuinely cares/dotes over Mariam
“It was easy to tell Mullah Faizullah things that Mariam Mariam does not have a natural connection with Nana, at
didn’t dare tell Nana” (p17) least not to the extent that she does with Mullah Faizullah.
Nana’s abrasive personality makes Mariam uncomfortable.
Nana advises Mariam to “endure” (p18) Nana realises Mariam will have a difficult life due to her
harami status and her upbringing. She knows it won’t get
better, so she tells Mariam to endure it. Perhaps Nana’s
horrible personality was on purpose, in order for Mariam to
develop thick skin so that she can ‘endure’ life way easier.
This could show Nana has Mariam’s best interests at heart.
Nana “If you really care about her, then you make her see Nana gaslights the Mullah; manipulative personality. Just
that she belongs at home with her mother” (p19) because someone is blood related doesn’t mean they are
good for someone.
“no one that Mariam longed to see more than Jalil” Mariam loves Jalil; he seems to have her fooled.
“If Jalil was running late, a terrible dread filled her” (p20)
Jalil “always wore a suit” (p21) Presenting himself as upper class and visibly different from
harami Mariam, so that people don’t think he is one of them
“King Zahir Shah (…) overthrown in a bloodless coup” (p23) Catalyst for life becoming more difficult
Nana “why did God give me an ungrateful daughter like Nana is visibly angry/upset that Mariam chose Jalil over her.
you?” She sees the one thing she loves be taken away from her by
“How dare you abandon me like this” the person that deserted her.
“you treacherous little harami!” (p27)
Nana “You think you’re a daughter to him?” (p27) Jalil doesn’t want her.
“Jalil’s car was black shiny, with glittering wheels” (p31) Affluent/upper class
“so tall, so foreboding, Jalil’s walls” (p32) Foreboding walls could foreshadow Jalil not being as nice as
he makes out. Something bad will happen.
Mariam “tears of deep, deep shame at how foolishly she Mariam upset at Jalil’s treatment of her.
had given herself over to Jalil” (p35)
“Nana dangling at the end of it” (p36) Nan’s sui9cide after she feels she has nothing to live for;
