The Cost of War on Children

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Examines the impact of war on children in the novel, focusing on Tariq, Aziza, and the orphans at the orphanage.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Tariq's Lost Leg Tariq's Lost Leg from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Child's Scar The Land Mine Tariq steps on a land mine near Ghazni. He loses his left leg.

Tariq's Lost Leg from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Child's Scar The Land Mine Tariq steps on a land mine near Ghazni. He loses his left leg.

A Child's Scar The Land Mine Tariq steps on a land mine near Ghazni. He loses his left leg. He is fitted with a prosthesis, but he will always have pain and stigma. Growing Up Different Tariq is mocked by other children. He learns to fight back. His disability makes him both vulnerable and tough. The Legacy Tariq's injury is a direct result of war. It shapes his entire life: his dependence on Laila, his inability to get jobs, his time in prison. War steals his childhood.

Aziza's Ordeal Aziza's Ordeal from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". An Innocent Victim Separation from Family Aziza is sent to the orphanage due to famine. She is terrified. She develops a stutter. She is neglected and dirty.

Aziza's Ordeal from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". An Innocent Victim Separation from Family Aziza is sent to the orphanage due to famine. She is terrified. She develops a stutter. She is neglected and dirty.

An Innocent Victim Separation from Family Aziza is sent to the orphanage due to famine. She is terrified. She develops a stutter. She is neglected and dirty. Secret Education Despite the trauma, Aziza learns from Zaman. She recites facts about tectonic plates and the blue sky. She is brilliant but wounded. Reunion and Healing Aziza is reunited with Laila and Tariq. She slowly recovers. The stutter fades. She keeps Mariam's doll. She is a survivor.

The Orphans of Kabul The Orphans of Kabul from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Generation of Loss The Children's Drawings The orphans draw pictures of tanks, guns, and refugee camps. Their art reflects their trauma.

The Orphans of Kabul from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Generation of Loss The Children's Drawings The orphans draw pictures of tanks, guns, and refugee camps. Their art reflects their trauma.

A Generation of Loss The Children's Drawings The orphans draw pictures of tanks, guns, and refugee camps. Their art reflects their trauma. They are the forgotten victims of decades of war. Zaman's Work Zaman runs the orphanage with scarce resources. He teaches the children secretly, giving them hope. He is a father figure to many. Laila's Impact Laila becomes a teacher at the orphanage. She gives the children love and education. She is a living example that they can rebuild their lives.

1981, Tariq at age five

2001, Aziza at age eight

2001-2003, at the orphanage