A Thousand Splendid Suns

The Relationship between Mariam and Laila

Mariam is a harami, a child born out of wedlock, whom after her mother’s death is abandoned by her dad, who marries her off to Rasheed. Her childless marriage to Rasheed forces her into a life of oppression and violence, until Laila enters her life and provides her with some hope. 

Laila lives down the road together with her parents, who eventually dies when a bomb strikes down right outside their house. Laila is taken care of by Mariam and her husband Rasheed, who later on marries her as well.

To begin with, the two of them have a relationship characterized by conflict and disagreement. Mariam would be angry because she’s feeling threatened by the humble new girl, who seems to be replacing her as Rasheed’s wife, making her a servant in a house were she’d lived alone for years. But not long after Laila enters her life, there becomes an understanding between them that blossom into a mother-daughter like relationship. 

When Laila had her first baby, a mutual friendship developed between Mariam and the child, Aziza. Needless to say, Aziza is the one bringing the two women together. Neither of them had the greatest relationship with their mothers, but they complete each other like the pieces of a puzzle, leading to a turning point in their lives. Mariam became the caring mother Laila never had, and Laila and her child became the source of love Mariam never had experienced in her life.

Mariam and Laila stands up for each other like real friends do, both knowing that they can’t achieve freedom without the help of each other.