A Thousand Splendid Sunsâ€Discussion Questions

'A Thousand Splendid Suns'- Discussion Questions A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is superbly written, has a page-turning story, and will help your book club learn more about Afghanistan. Use these book club discussion questions to probe deeper into the story. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details from the novel. Finish the book before reading on! Discussion Questions What did A Thousand Splendid Suns teach you about the history of Afghanistan? Did anything surprise you?Mariam’s mother says: Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. In what ways is this true? How do Mariam and Laila endure? How is their endurance different from the ways their mothers faced their trials?Several times Mariam passes herself off as Lailas mother. In what way is their relationship like mother-daughter? How did their own relationships with their mothers shape how they treated each other and their family?What is the significance of Lailas childhood trip to see the giant stone Buddhas above the Bamiyan Valley? Why did her father take her on this trip? How did his influence shape the way Laila would cope with her future?Afghanistan changes rulers several times in the story. During the Soviet occupation, the people felt life would be better once the foreigners were defeated. Why do you think the quality of life deteriorated after the occupation rather than r eturning to the way it was in the pre-communist era? When the Taliban first enter the city, Laila does not believe women will tolerate being forced out of jobs and treated with such indignity. Why do the educated women of Kabul endure such treatment? Why are the Taliban accepted?The Taliban forbid writing books, watching films, and painting pictures; yet the film Titanic becomes a sensation on the black market. Why would people risk the Taliban’s violence to watch the film? Why do you think this particular film became so popular? How does Hosseini use films throughout the novel to symbolize relationships between people and the state of the country (i.e. Jalils theater, Tariq Lailas outings to the movies)?Were you surprised when Tariq returned? Had you suspected the depth of Rasheeds deceit?Why does Mariam refuse to call witnesses at her trial? Why didnt she try to escape with Laila and Tariq? Do you think Mariam made the right decision? Even though her life was hard, Mariam wishes for more of it in the end. Why do you think tha t is? Do you think Laila and Tariq can be happy?Afghanistan is still in the news a lot. Do you think the situation will truly improve there?Rate A Thousand Splendid Suns on a scale of 1 to 5.

Free Essays on “I’m Your Horse In The Night”

to Beto, as if she were over him, and no longer going to fantasize. â€Å"Beto, you know now, if it’s true that they killed you, or wherever you may be. Beto, I’m your horse in the night and you can inhabit me whenever you wish, even if I’m behind bars. Beto, now that I’m in jail I know that I dreamed you that night; it... Free Essays on â€Å"I’m Your Horse In The Night† Free Essays on â€Å"I’m Your Horse In The Night† Luisa Valenzuela’s, â€Å"I’m Your Horse In the Night†, is a short story that can be interpreted in many different ways. Many questions arose in my mind while reading this story, like, was her fantasy a dream or was it a reality? Luisa Valenzuela wrote this short story in such a way that the reader must think deeply about what is being said. The woman referred to as Chiquita heard the doorbell. It rang in such a way that she knew it was the man referred to as Beto. They embraced and remained silent. Chiquita remembered him always being silent, never one to express his feelings in words. Questions enter her mind about his whereabouts in Argentina. She hadn’t heard from him in months. She did not know if he was alive, or whether he had been captured, or was in hiding. With him he brought a bottle of cachaca, an alcoholic beverage, and a Gal Costa record. Chiquita and Beto begin listening to the music and slowly drink the alcohol. No words were said; just sweet caressing and deep looks into each other’s eyes. They begin to make love while the music sings, â€Å"I’m your horse in the night†. Chiquita awoke to a phone call claiming that Beto was dead. Realizing that Beto must have left while she was sleeping, she said it could not have been him. The caller hung up and shortly after the police arrive. Demanding to know where Beto was the police ransack the house. While watching her life unfold before her, Chiquita realized that they wouldn’t find anything for it was only a dream, and they couldn’t take that away. The story concluded with a short paragraph. Chiquita saying her last words to Beto, as if she were over him, and no longer going to fantasize. â€Å"Beto, you know now, if it’s true that they killed you, or wherever you may be. Beto, I’m your horse in the night and you can inhabit me whenever you wish, even if I’m behind bars. Beto, now that I’m in jail I know that I dreamed you that night; it...