A Thousand Splendid Suns
Test your knowledge with 45 questions across 3 challenge tiers
Master These Concepts
Review these key terms before taking the quiz
Mariam
The illegitimate daughter of a wealthy man who becomes Rasheed first wife and later a mother figure to Laila
Mariam journey moves from shame and rejection to finding love and making the ultimate sacrifice
Laila
The educated young woman who becomes Rasheed second wife and forms a bond with Mariam
Laila represents the hopes of a progressive Afghanistan and the resilience of Afghan women
Rasheed
The abusive husband of both Mariam and Laila who represents patriarchal cruelty
Rasheed violent control over his wives intensifies as circumstances worsen
Harami
The term meaning illegitimate or bastard used to shame Mariam throughout her childhood
Mariam is called harami by her father family and internalizes this shame
Nana
Mariam bitter mother who was cast out by Jalil after becoming pregnant
Nana warns Mariam about men and society cruelty before her suicide
Jalil
Mariam wealthy father who acknowledges her privately but publicly denies her
Jalil failure to claim Mariam leads to her forced marriage to Rasheed
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Fundamentals
TIER 1 β’ READER BADGE
Deep Dive
TIER 2 β’ SCHOLAR BADGE
Expert
TIER 3 β’ MASTER BADGE