Mariam, one of the central characters in Khaled Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’, is driven by a complex array of motivations and goals throughout her life.
Initially, Mariam’s primary motivation stems from her desire for acceptance and love, influenced heavily by her tumultuous childhood. Being born out of wedlock, Mariam struggles with feelings of shame and abandonment. Her longing for her father, Jalil, and her mother, Nana, drives her actions early on. She yearns for a sense of belonging, which manifests in her hope that her father will take her into his home, a hope that ultimately leads to disappointment.
As her life unfolds, Mariam’s motivations evolve. After her forced marriage to Rasheed, a man who embodies oppression and abuse, her goal shifts from seeking love to achieving autonomy and safety. Mariam’s tumultuous relationship with Rasheed pushes her to strive for a better life, not just for herself but also for Laila, a younger woman who becomes a significant figure in her life. This transformation highlights her resilience and capacity for love, defying her earlier circumstances.
Another pivotal motivation for Mariam is the desire for redemption and purpose. As she navigates the harsh realities of her life in Afghanistan under the oppressive regime, she ultimately finds her strength through sacrifice. Her willingness to protect Laila and her children becomes a goal that gives her life meaning, showing her growth from a passive victim to an active participant in her own fate.
In conclusion, Mariam’s motivations are deeply rooted in her quest for love and acceptance, her fight for autonomy amid oppression, and her eventual embrace of sacrifice for the sake of others. This evolution reflects her journey from shame and isolation to finding purpose and strength, making her a profoundly inspiring character in the novel.