The Destinies of Two Mothers

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Parallels the fates of Mariam and Laila as mothers: Mariam's repeated miscarriages and her bond with Aziza, and Laila's motherhood under duress and her eventual family with Tariq.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Mariam's Lost Children Mariam's Lost Children from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Womb of Grief The First Pregnancy Mariam becomes pregnant with Rasheed's child. She is overjoyed; Rasheed builds a crib and buys a coat.

Mariam's Lost Children from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Womb of Grief The First Pregnancy Mariam becomes pregnant with Rasheed's child. She is overjoyed; Rasheed builds a crib and buys a coat.

A Womb of Grief The First Pregnancy Mariam becomes pregnant with Rasheed's child. She is overjoyed; Rasheed builds a crib and buys a coat. But she miscarries at the bathhouse. The doctor can only say it is God's will. Rasheed's affection turns to cold resentment. Six More Losses Over the years, Mariam suffers six more miscarriages. Each one deepens Rasheed's anger and her own sense of failure. She buries the baby's coat in the yard, performing a one-woman funeral. Her body is a source of constant disappointment. The Healing of Aziza When Aziza is born, Mariam initially resents Laila. But the baby's innocent love cracks her defenses. Mariam becomes Aziza's second mother, finding purpose in caring for her. This love redeems her.

Laila's Motherhood Under Duress

A Mother's Sacrifice Aziza's Birth Laila gives birth to Aziza, Tariq's child, while married to Rasheed. She hides the truth. She is fiercely protective, but Rasheed's disappointment in a daughter is palpable. Zalmai's Arrival Laila becomes pregnant with Rasheed's son, Zalmai. She fears she cannot love him, but she does. Rasheed dotes on Zalmai, creating a rivalry between mother and son. Laila is forced to watch Zalmai worship a man she hates. Sending Aziza Away During the drought and famine, Rasheed forces Laila to send Aziza to an orphanage. Laila is heartbroken. She visits when she can, enduring beatings from the Taliban. The separation is a deep wound.

Mariam's Final Sacrifice Mariam's Final Sacrifice from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Mother's Choice The Killing To save Laila from being strangled, Mariam kills Rasheed with a shovel. She knows she will be executed.

Mariam's Final Sacrifice from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Mother's Choice The Killing To save Laila from being strangled, Mariam kills Rasheed with a shovel. She knows she will be executed.

A Mother's Choice The Killing To save Laila from being strangled, Mariam kills Rasheed with a shovel. She knows she will be executed. She insists that Laila and the children flee with Tariq. The Trial Mariam confesses to the Taliban judges. She is sentenced to death. She accepts her fate, finding peace in having saved her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Execution At Ghazi Stadium, Mariam faces the firing squad. Her last thoughts are of love, of Aziza, of Laila, and of the words of the Koran. She dies a woman of consequence, not a harami.

Laila's New Family Laila's New Family from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Second Chance Marriage to Tariq Laila marries Tariq in Murree. They live in a small shack. Aziza slowly bonds with Tariq.

Laila's New Family from "A Thousand Splendid Suns". A Second Chance Marriage to Tariq Laila marries Tariq in Murree. They live in a small shack. Aziza slowly bonds with Tariq.

A Second Chance Marriage to Tariq Laila marries Tariq in Murree. They live in a small shack. Aziza slowly bonds with Tariq. Laila is happy but haunted by Mariam's absence. Pregnancy Laila becomes pregnant with Tariq's child. If it is a girl, she will name her Mariam. The baby is a symbol of hope and continuity. Teaching at the Orphanage Back in Kabul, Laila teaches at the orphanage. She nurtures orphaned children, mothering them as she was mothered by Mariam. She finds meaning in rebuilding her country.

1975-1990, Mariam's pregnancies

1992-2001, from Aziza's birth to Zalmai's childhood

summer 2001, the day she kills Rasheed

2001-2003, in Murree and back in Kabul