Mariam dies in a poignant and heroic manner at the end of Khaled Hosseini’s novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. After a lifetime of suffering and sacrifice, including years of abuse at the hands of her husband Rasheed, Mariam ultimately takes an extraordinary step to protect her beloved friend Laila and Laila’s children.
In the climax of the story, when Rasheed attempts to kill Laila for trying to escape with her children, Mariam intervenes. She picks up a shovel and strikes Rasheed, an act that not only reveals her fierce bravery but also her transformation throughout the narrative. However, the fight results in Rasheed’s death, and Mariam, knowing the weight of her actions, willingly accepts her fate.
Mariam’s death is not just an end to her struggles; it is also a moment of liberation. She faces execution with a sense of peace, reflecting on her life, her choices, and the love she found later in life. In her final moments, she feels that she has found a purpose, having protected Laila and the children she loves, which underscores the themes of sacrifice and redemption that permeate the novel.