Justin's Discussion Questions (pages 1-36)

How is Sultan immediately portrayed by the author?  An intellectual or a traditional?

“Nevertheless, no one dared speak out against him- he always got his own way” (7).

He is shown to be deeply religious and traditional in culture, but an intellectual compared to the rest of the country in education.  The author shows him in a negative light when he is marrying a second wife, but shows him as brave when he is hiding books.  It will be interesting to see which one eventually overpowers the other.

What authority does a woman have in marriage in Afghanistan?  How is Sultan and Sharifa’s marriage shown?

“She hates him for having ruined her life, taken away her children, shamed her in the eyes of the world” (24).

Women have no authority whatsoever in marriage.  The culture views marriage as a business deal between the families, the girls are reluctant.  Sultan and Sharifa’s marriage seems unhappy, but nothing will change.  Sultan provides the money and Sharifa cares for the children and house, while Sonya is the new excitement and is young herself.


How does the author paint the setting and the characters from the beginning?

“We shared many good times, but I have rarely been as angry as I was with the Khan family, and I have rarely quarreled as much as I did there” (xiv).

It is shown to be torn by war and held down by traditions.  Afghanistan is seen as almost hopeless, as there has been fighting for over 30 years.  The characters are conservative, and although they are not the usual type, they are still expected to follow the extreme set of rules.


 What emphasis or purpose did the stories of Jamila and Saliqa have?

Pages 31-37

These stories create the idea of the helpless women in the Afghan culture.  It is interesting to note their views; as they are mostly in the same position as their husbands in public.  What is to be noted is that these are not heard first hand, as the book is like a memoir.