Subversion of Socially and Historically Constructed Patriarchal Norms and Reconstruction of Female Identity in Khaled Hosseini's, A Thousand Splendid Suns

Abstract

This paper argues how, since ages, women’s identities has been constructed historically and socially and are destined to be subservient or secondary to men and how in the modern time women in contrary emerge stronger and more determined to break the socially constructed gender identity by subverting it and reconstructing a female identity. The paper aims to take up the case of Afghanistan women exclusively and study their attempt to construct their identity and space, not  by crossing the social norms but by staying in the same place and creating their space and identity through their silence, courage and human bond. Simon De Beauvoir states that a woman needs beyond protection and providence to be treated with respect and love and view her beyond her biological aspects. As well as they demand that women should not be force to a monotonous role of having children, caring the house and being the sexual repositories of male libido. She disclaims woman being categorised as “Other” and advocates to leave space for her development and emancipation. This paper explores this theme through the journey of two Afghanistan female characters Mariam and Leila in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Despite living in a rigid social environment and social condition they both find ways by being interconnected and subverting the Patriarchal burden thrust upon them in the form of forced marriage, domestic violence and social silence. Despite many challenges, they find identity through female solidarity, courage and sacrifice. Through the lens of Simon De Beauvoir’s feminism- this paper endeavours to highlight how women are oppressed overtly and subtly by the male domination and how the modern women subvert and reconstructs her identity.