Women studies, which is known as the ‘feminist studies’ deals with certain contemplations with regard to feminism, contemporary issues on women’s practices and their social awareness in terms of environmental and/or global concerns. Best example in describing this conceptualization is a literary work of a bestselling Afghan author; Khaled Hosseini’s novel entitled ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ depicts the contemporary issues, which concern a vague intermediate state and nervous conditions along with the people of Afghanistan particularly the women.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is one of the best poignant tales that brings every reader to a variety of tragedies and serious events describing certain conflicts between the protagonist and superior forces (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror. Imagine living in a zone in which belligerents are waging and extreme violence becomes rampant within the area. Surely, anyone may feel the havoc and deplorable living conditions; he or she may loose his/her sanity with a constant fear and condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion.
Nevertheless, as analysis of the entire novel, savagery prevails under Islamic rule, which destroys the rights of women as barbarous rulers deal with them in a contemptible manner. Moreover, polygamy becomes the practice nationwide; powerful men treat women only as a means whereby sensual gratification is achieved and performed. Such a society that is unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights and unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression in any matters easily leads the women to questioning about their existence. A vague intermediate state or the borderlands also hinder them, as the Taliban controls women during this time in Afghanistan—never to walk through the common ways. Hence, Mariam and Laila try suppressing their husband Rasheed only to obtain the real freedom (Hosseini, 2007).
It becomes quite easy for every individual to perceive the grievances and miseries that women go through in the turbulent times of Afghanistan. It merely shows the life of poor and uneducated women. In other words, women are deprived of liberty in such a society that is filled with harshness, cruelty and combative nature. Therefore, all the difficulties and hardships are just inevitable for women, as they do not have the right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor—all is shown in the author’s piece of writing.
Reference
Hosseini, K. (2007). A Thousand Splendid Suns. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 432p. 2-4.