Post on 27-Mar-2023
MARIAM’S STRUGGLES FOR HER LIFE IN KHALED
HOSSEINI’S A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Kirana Cinta Murti
Student Number: 131214022
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2018
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MARIAM’S STRUGGLES FOR HER LIFE IN KHALED
HOSSEINI’S A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Kirana Cinta Murti
Student Number: 131214022
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2018
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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Your Time Will Come
Kenya is two hours ahead of Nigeria, but it does not mean that Nigeria is slow,
and it does not mean that Kenya is faster than Nigeria. Both countries are working
based on their own “Time Zone”
Someone is still single. Someone got married and “waited” ten years before
having a child, there is another who had had a baby within one year after
marriage.
Someone graduated at the age of 22 yet waited 5 years before securing a job; and
there is another who graduated at the age of 27 and secured employment just after
national service.
Joyce Meyer started her own ministry at age 41 and still alive today at71 years
old.
Someone became CEO at the age of 25 and died at the age of 50 while another
became a CEO at the age of 50 and lived to 90 years.
Everyone worked based on their “Time Zone”. Some people have everything that
work fast for them. Work in your “Time Zone”
Colleagues, friends, associates, your one(s) might “seem” to go ahead of you. Do
not envy them, it’s their Time Zone”. Yours is coming soon. Hold on, be strong,
and stay true to yourself. All things shall YOU ARE NOT LATE, YOU ARE ON
TIME!
-UNKNOWN
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the Lord you God
goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake
you
-Deuteronomy 31; 6
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This thesis is dedicated to:
My forever motivation, hero, and also first love, Mr. Murdiyono
My guardian angel Ms. Herawati Sitiana Widyaningrum
My beloved brother
Ndaru Khesawa Murti
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viii
ABSTRACT
Murti, Kirana Cinta (2018). Mariam’s Struggles for Her Life in Khaled Hosseini’s
A Thousand Splendid Suns. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study
Program. Sanata Dharma University.
This research analyses a novel entitled A Thousand Splendid Suns written
by Khaled Hosseini. This novel tells about women’s struggle in life as seen in
Mariam’s life. Having a status as an illegitimate child, Mariam often gets unfair
treatments from people around her. This novel also tells about Mariam’s life after
having married with Rasheed and after Laila, a girl who comes to their marriage
life, becomes Rasheed’s second wife.
There are two research questions in this research: (1) “How are Mariam’s
characteristics described in Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns?” and (2) “How
does Mariam struggle for her life as depicted in the novel?”
This research applies library research as the method to collect the data.
There are some kinds of sources in library research, namely primary and secondary
sources. The primary source of this research is A Thousand Splendid Suns novel by
Khaled Hosseini. The secondary sources are taken from theoretical books in a form
of printed or electronic book which are related with character, characterization,
struggle, motivation, and socio–historical of Afghanistan. The theories are used to
analyze the novel.
Based on the analysis, there are two results of this research. The first result
is Mariam’s characteristics. Mariam’s characteristics can be concluded as naive,
unconfident, religious, and tough. The second results concern the reasons why
Mariam struggle for her life. They are two factors that influence Mariam’s struggle:
a feeling of lack of affection from her father and the tortures that have been done
by her husband. It makes Mariam try to change the situation. She tries to find her
father’s house by herself, so she could feel her father’s love as her other step
brothers and sisters feel. Moreover, Mariam also tries to fight back against her
husband’s tortures which cause her to suffer physically and psychologically. The
peak of Mariam’s struggle to fight back against Rasheed’s bad behavior is when he
tortures people around him wildly. Mariam hits Rasheed with a shovel
spontaneously and kills him.
The researcher also provides some suggestions for future researchers who
are interested in analyzing A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. The
researcher also adds some suggestions for the lecturers who use literature work as
their source of learning materials. These suggestions can be adapted to make the
teaching and learning processes more effective.
Keywords: Struggle, characters, Mariam, Afghanistan, illegitimate
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ABSTRAK
Murti, Kirana Cinta (2018). Mariam’s Struggles for Her Life in Khaled Hosseini’s
A Thousand Splendid Suns. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris,
Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Penelitian ini menganalisis sebuah novel yang berjudul A Thousand
Splendid Suns karya Khaled Hosseini. Novel ini menceritakan tentang perjuangan
hidup seorang perempuan yang terlihat dalam kehidupan Mariam. Karena statusnya
sebagai anak haram, Mariam sering mendapatkan perlakuan yang tidak adil dari
orang-orang di sekitarnya. Novel ini juga menceritakan kehidupan Mariam setelah
menikah dengan Rasheed dan kehadiran Laila seorang gadis yang masuk dalam
kehidupan rumah tangga mereka dan menjadi istri kedua Rasheed.
Terdapat dua rumusan masalah di dalam penelitian ini: (1) “Bagaimana
karakter Mariam dideskripsikan dalam novel A Thousand Splendid Suns karya
Khaled Hosseini?” dan (2) Bagaimana perjuangan hidup Mariam yang tergambar
pada novel ?”
Penelitian ini menggunakan studi pustaka sebagai metode dalam
mengumpulkan data. Ada beberapa jenis sumber dalam studi pustaka, yaitu sumber
utama dan sumber pendukung. Sumber utama dalam penelitian ini adalah novel A
Thousand Splendid Suns karya Khaled Hosseini. Sumber kedua diambil dari buku-
buku teori baik dalam bentuk cetakan maupun elektronik yang berhubungan dengan
karakter, karakterisasi, perjuangan, motivasi, dan latar belakang sosial dan sejarah
dari Afghanistan. Teori-teori tersebut digunakan untuk menganalisis novel.
Berdasarkan analisis yang dilakukan, terdapat dua hasil dalam penelitian ini.
Hasil penelitian pertama adalah karakter Mariam. Karakter Mariam dapat
disimpulkan seperti berikut: naif, tidak percaya diri, religius, dan kuat. Hasil
penelitian kedua adalah alasan perjuangan hidup Mariam. Terdapat dua faktor yang
mempengaruhi perjuangan Mariam: perasaan kurang kasih sayang dari sang ayah
dan penyiksaan yang dilakukan oleh suaminya. Hal tersebut membuat Mariam
berusaha untuk mengubah keadaan. Mariam nekat mencari rumah ayahnya seorang
diri supaya dia bisa merasakan kasih sayang ayahnya seperti saudara-saudara
tirinya. Selain itu, Mariam juga berusaha untuk melawan suaminya setelah banyak
hal yang suaminya lakukan membuat Mariam tersiksa baik fisik maupun psikis.
Puncaknya terjadi ketika suaminya dengan kasar menyiksa dan membahayakan
nyawa orang-orang di sekitarnya, Mariam dengan spontan mengambil sekop dan
memukul suaminya hingga tewas.
Peneliti juga memberikan beberapa saran untuk para peneliti yang
dikemudian hari tertarik untuk menganalisis A Thousand Splendid Suns karya
Khaled Hosseini. Peneliti juga menambahkan beberapa saran untuk dosen yang
menggunakan karya sastra sebagai salah satu sumber bahan ajar mereka. Saran ini
dapat diadaptasi supaya proses belajar dan mengajar menjadi lebih efektif.
Keywords: Struggle, characters, Mariam, Afghanistan, illegitimate
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I praise and thank Jesus Christ for all of His endless and
abundant love and also His blessing in my life. I thank Him for always staying by
my side in every darkest part in my life and listening to my prayers. I also thank
Him for His guidance in my study, so that I could finish this thesis on time.
My deepest gratitude to Drs. L. Bambang Hendarto Yuliwarsono,
M.Hum for his patience, advices, and guidance in the process of writing and
finishing this thesis. Then, my gratitude also goes to Drs. Y.B Gunawan, M.A as
my academic advisor for always inspiring me with his kindness and patience in
teaching his students. My gratitude goes to all PBI lecturers and staff for their
guidance during my study in Sanata Dharma University.
My greatest gratitude, is dedicated to my beloved family, especially my
wonderful father and mother, Murdiyono and Dra. Herawati Sitiana
Widyaningrum for always loving, caring, praying, and supporting me in any
situations of my life. I would also like to thank my beloved brother Ndaru
Khesawa Murti for his encouragements and helps in during study. My best
gratitude is dedicated for Martasaliya’s family and Atmo Prawira’s family for
their abundant love and also care during my study in Yogyakarta.
My greatest appreciation also goes to my bestfriends in PBI: Inge Bertha,
Monica Adista, Carolina Yuni, and Marcellus Gregorius, I thank them for
laughs, tears, dramas, and loves for the past five years I have experienced. I also
thank Evan Sanjaya, Robert Dasa, Kefas Zebua, Riesna Nur, Roswita Putri,
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Alberik Ryan, Alfonsus A. Reinhard, Helena Vita, Irene Melati and all my
classmates in PBI A for their help during my study process in PBI. My biggest
gratitude goes to Guru Sekolah Minggu GKI Gejayan, Peacock “SPD” Team,
Kelas Sabtu Team and EEPro for the new things I have been learned.
My special gratitude goes to my beloved one Christoforus Sigit
Bramaditya for his patience for accompany me during writing this thesis, and also
for being there during my ups and downs. My biggest gratitude is also addressed to
Silvia Tiara, S. Pd., Gracia Vica, S. Pd., Pramesthi Dewi, S.S., Lisanti Nur
Raharja S. Pd., and Ratna Sheina S. Pd. for their help to proofread my thesis.
Last, I would like to thank those people that cannot be mentioned here one
by one for loving, caring, and helping during my study in the university life. May
God bless them all with abundant love.
Kirana Cinta Murti
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................... i
APPROVAL PAGES .................................................................................... ii
DEDICATION PAGE................................................................................... iv
STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY .............................................. vi
PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ............................................... vii
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................. viii
ABSTRAK ..................................................................................................... ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................... x
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................. xii
LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................... xv
LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................... xvi
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of Study ....................................................................... 1
1.2 Research Problems .......................................................................... 3
1.3 Significance of the Study ................................................................. 3
1.4 Definition of Terms ......................................................................... 4
1.4.1 Struggle ........................................................................................ 4
1.4.2 Character ...................................................................................... 4
1.4.3 Patriarchy...................................................................................... 5
1.4.4 Afghanistan................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .............................. 6
2.1 Review of Related Studies ............................................................... 6
2.2 Review of Related Theories ............................................................. 9
2.2.1 Critical Approach .......................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Character and Characterization ..................................................... 10
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2.2.2.1 Personal description.................................................................... 11
2.2.2.2 Character as seen by another ....................................................... 11
2.2.2.3 Speech ........................................................................................ 11
2.2.2.4 Past Life ..................................................................................... 12
2.2.2.5 Conversation of others ................................................................ 12
2.2.2.6 Reactions .................................................................................... 12
2.2.2.7 Direct Comment ......................................................................... 12
2.2.2.8 Thoughts .................................................................................... 12
2.2.2.9 Mannerism ................................................................................. 13
2.2.3 Motivation .................................................................................... 13
2.2.4 Struggle of Life ............................................................................. 15
2.2.5 Socio-Historical Background of Afghanistan ................................ 15
2.2.5.1 The Role of Afghan Women ....................................................... 16
2.2.5.2 Taliban Regime .......................................................................... 18
2.3 Theoretical Framework ................................................................... 20
CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY ............................................................... 22
3.1 Object of the Study .......................................................................... 22
3.2 Approaches of the Study ................................................................. 23
CHAPTER IV. ANALYSIS .......................................................................... 24
4.1 The Characteristics of Mariam......................................................... 24
4.1.1 Naive ............................................................................................ 25
4.1.2 Religious....................................................................................... 28
4.1.3 Unconfident .................................................................................. 30
4.1.4 Tough ........................................................................................... 32
4.2 Mariam Struggle for Her Life .......................................................... 34
4.2.1 Mariam’s Life Background ........................................................... 35
4.2.2 Mariam’s Struggles to Face Her Life ............................................. 40
4.2.2.1 Going to Herat to Meet Her Father ............................................. 41
4.2.2.2 Fighting Against Rasheed’s Bad Behavior .................................. 44
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CHAPTER V. CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS . 48
5.1 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 48
5.2 Implications ..................................................................................... 50
5.3 Suggestion........................................................................................ 51
REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 52
APPENDICES .............................................................................................. 54
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
2.1 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs .................................................................. 14
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix Page
1. Summary of A Thousand Splendid Suns ................................................ 53
2. Biography of Khaled Hosseini ............................................................... 56
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is divided into four sections. The first section discusses
research background. It provides related background information to the issues. The
second section discusses research problems that contain questions to be answered
in the study. The third section discusses research significance. It identifies the
contribution of the study. Finally, the fourth section is definition of terms which
specifically defines keywords or phrases used in the study.
1.1 Background of Study
Many people attempt to explain what literature is in different ways. Klaler
(2004) says that works of literature are produced by the author’s imagination. It is
because literature product is not just telling about life experiences. According to
Abrams (1981), literature is also an imitation or reflection of the world and human’s
life. It can be seen as a portrait of human’s life, experience, and life value.
Therefore, literature can influence people emotionally.
Novel as one of literature works is used to share many things. Novel is a
branch of literature that invites people to read, to feel, and then to be involved in it.
Novel becomes something good for people to read because it represents the reality
of life. It also shares many issues that happen in human life, such as feminism,
politics, ethnics, and humanism. As novel represents human life experience which
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the readers may identify them as their own, the readers can feel the emotion which
appears in the story.
In a novel, some elements support the story line. The elements make the
story line stronger and real. These can help the readers to understand more about
what the author wants to share. Abrams and Harpham (2012) explain that novel is
one of some products from literature that contains some elements. They are
character, conflict, plot and symbol (p. 252). Based on some elements above, the
readers’ feeling and emotion are touched as they are reading a novel.
The object of this research is a novel written by Khaled Hosseini entitled A
Thousand Splendid Suns. The novel shows the struggle of a woman in Afghanistan
named Mariam, to liberate herself from her husband. Mariam’s struggle for her life
is a reflection of woman’s struggle for her freedom from the family rejection of her
and the abuses by her husband after she experiences a miscarriage. This novel also
represents other life values such as why people need to survive in this world.
The researcher chooses this novel as the object of the study because of two
reasons. The first is because this novel presents a real description about women who
live in a country which applies a patriarchy law as the rule. In patriarchy system,
man’s position is higher than woman’s position. Therefore, the woman in there gets
unfair treatment from the society. The second is because the story of the novel may
also happen in a real life and that makes the researcher is more aware about
women’s issues. Nowadays, women’s issues become trendings in some countries.
Women start to fight for their rights, such as the rights for giving opinions, having
better education, and having equal treatments with men.
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1.2 Research Problems
In analyzing the novel, there are some problems formulated by the
researcher. There are two research problems based on the topic of the research.
They are:
1. How are Mariam’s characteristics described in Hosseini’s A Thousand
Splendid suns?
2. How does Mariam struggle for her life as depicted in the novel?
1.3 Significance of the Study
There are some significances from this study which are expected to give
some benefits to the researcher, the readers in general, and the future researchers
who have the same concern in women’s struggle in their life especially in
Afghanistan. The significances are explained as follows.
The first significance of the study is for the researcher. From this study, the
researcher can improve the understanding and knowledge of women’s struggle in
their life especially in Afghanistan. This study gives understanding about Mariam’s
struggle in her life and things that motivate her to fight for her life.
The second significance of the study is for the readers. This study is
expected to help the readers to understand the novel and improve the readers’
knowledge about culture in Afghanistan. Through this study, the readers can open
their mind about men’s and women’s issues when they struggle to survive in their
life.
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The third significance of the study is for the future researchers. This study
can be used as a source and reference to help the future researcher to write a research
about women’s issues especially in their struggle in life. Besides, it aims to raise
people’s awareness of women’s issues happening in their life.
1.4 Definition of Terms
Based on the title of the research, this section will define some specific
keywords or phrases that are used in this study in order to clarify concepts and avoid
misinterpretation. Therefore, the readers can have an aid to understand this research
further.
1.4.1 Struggle
Struggle refers to every effort that people face to solve their life. McKechnie
(1987) states that struggle is an effort given to finish something or something that
must be achieved (p. 367). In this research, struggle means fighting against
unfairness because of the major character named Mariam has some problems during
her life. Since she was young she was rejected by her father’s family. Not only that,
when she grows up she also faces her marriage problems with Rasheed. She
struggles to survive and solve her problems.
1.4.2 Character
Character is a major part in a literary work. Character has a function to
present the story lively. Usually, a character in a novel is a human with his or her
life problems. According to Kennedy and Gioia (2010), character is a human
being’s imagination created in a story. Character, especially in a novel, can be
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described through dialogues, times, and places; so that the readers can understand
the character through their feelings, motives, and intentions (p. 77).
1.4.3 Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a system in which the man becomes the head in the family.
According to Milett, the man also becomes the person who has the highest position
in ruling others. However, patriarchy is not only about a system inside of the family,
but it is also a system that makes men’s position higher than women’s position in
the family (as cited in Eisenstein, 1983, p. 5)
1.4.4 Afghanistan
Afghanistan or officially Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is an Islamic
country which is located in the continent of Asia, within South Asia and Central
Asia (United States, 2018, retrieved on March 16, 2018, from
http://www.un.org/en/member-states/). The area of Afghanistan’s territory is
652,864 km2. Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan in the south and east, and Iran in
the west. The capital city of Afghanistan is Kabul. The population of Afghanistan
is approximately close to 31.6 million. Afghanistan is a heterogeneous country,
there are four major ethnics: Tajiks, Hazaras, Pasthun, and Uzbeks. The daily
language that used by people is Afghani. Nowadays, the government is under
president Ghani. He replaced Hamid Karzai. Hamid Karzai is the leader of
Afghanistan in Taliban era. President Ghani was inaugurated after Taliban’s era
collapsed by opposition in 2001.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter is divided into four major parts. The first part is review of
related studies. This part presents the previous studies that used in the similar novel.
The second part is review of related theories. This part mainly provides some
theories that are related to the research. The third part is about the socio-historical
background. It reviews a historical condition in Afghanistan, including the history
of Afghanistan and the influence of Afghanistan society’s tradition to the people
living in Afghanistan during the period. The last part is the theoretical framework.
The theoretical framework explains how the theories are used in analyzing the
problems in this study.
2.1 Review of Related Studies
There are some students from Sanata Dharma University who had
conducted studies on Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. Some of them are A
Study of Friendship between Mariam and Laila in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand
Splendid Suns by Adhisti (2010); Rasheed Aggression over His Wives in Khaled
Hosseini A Thousand Splendid Suns by Pangarsa (2010); and Family Abuse as
Reflected in the Character of Rasheed in Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid
Suns by Mulyo (2013).
The first study was from a student of English Language Education Study
Program namely Adhisti (2010). The study was entitled A Study of Friendship
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between Mariam and Laila in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. It
discussed two problems. First, it was about the kind of friendship developed by
Mariam and Laila. Adisthi (2010) found that the friendship they built was based on
goodness. They shared feeling through their understanding of one another. They
were also good to one another. Mariam and Laila always helped each other
unconditionally. Second, it was about why they maintained their friendship. Adisthi
(2010) found two big causes why Mariam and Laila maintained their friendship.
The first was their family conflicts and the second was the background of socio-
historical of Afghanistan. This study used library research with two sources of data,
namely the main source and secondary source. This study used the psychological
approach, the socio-historical approach, and the feminist approach because the
study dealt with the friendship between two characters, Mariam and Laila. Both of
the characters were related to the psychological concepts, socio-historical
background, and feminism.
The second was entitled Rasheed’s Aggression over His Wives in Khaled
Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns by Pangarsa (2010). This study analyzed
Rasheed’s aggression as the central attention and intended to reveal what possibility
could generate his cruel behavior toward his wives. It discussed two problems. The
first was about Rasheed’s aggressive behaviors over his wives. In this main point,
Pangarsa (2010) found that Rasheed aggressed against his wife both psychological
and physically. It could be seen by his behaviors. The psychological aggressions
were done by keeping silent toward his wife and by responding to Mariam’s
questions with sarcastic replies and harsh tone. The second was about the reasons
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of Rasheed’s aggression over his wives described in the novel. Pangarsa (2010)
found that the reason why Rasheed did aggression over his wives was socio-
historical background. In Afghanistan, male domination was in every aspect,
especially in the marriage system and this situation provided the environment for
man to push down the woman as a wife. In solving both of the problems, the
researcher applied psychological approach. The researcher also used theory of
aggression for the kind of aggressions that Rasheed committed on his wives.
The third study was conducted by Mulyo (2013) entitled Family Abuse as
Reflected in the Character of Rasheed in Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid
Suns. This study discussed about a family abuse which happened in Rasheed’s
family. In the beginning of their marriage, they lived happily, but after several
times, Rasheed started abusing. Based on the background, this study had several
problems to discuss. They were about how Rasheed was described in the novel and
how Rasheed abused the members of his family. From several problems above,
Mulyo (2013) found several main points. First, it was Rasheed’s characteristics.
Rasheed’s characteristics were described as selfish, dishonest, and rough. Second,
it was about Rasheed’s family. His family was an extended type of family. Based
on the power of the family, Rasheed’s family was patriarchal family because
Rasheed took control of his wives and children. The method applied in this study
was library study and the researcher used theory of character and characterization,
theory of family, theory of abusement, and socio-historical background of
Afghanistan.
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Meanwhile, this study is different with the previous studies above. This
study focuses on discussing about Mariam’s struggles of life. In this study, the
researcher analyzes Mariam’s struggles to face her marriage problems. Mariam
struggles to search for her freedom from Rasheed’s pressure in her marriage life.
Furthermore, this study emphasizes Afghanistan women’s struggle in their life.
2.2 Review of Related Theories
This part consists of five theories used in this research. The theories help
the researcher to analyze the research problems. The theories are theory of critical
approach, theory of character and characterization, theory of motivation, theory of
struggle of life, and socio-historical approach.
2.2.1 Critical Approach
People apply an approach or approaches depending on what they focused
on to discuss literary works. Rohrberger and Woods (1971) explain that there are
five approaches that can be implemented in the study of literature.
The first is formalist approach. This approach focuses on the literary itself.
All of the focusing elements necessary to the work are connected to the work itself.
The items in the formalist approach are aesthetics parts, such as tone, imagery,
structure, and many else. The second is biographical approach. This approach
focuses on the author’s personal life to analyze his writing. The third is socio-
historical approach. This approach focuses on culture, socio-historical, and ethnic
as the background of study. The fourth is mythopoeic approach. This approach
regards to study on some points such as myth, history, and religion. It studies how
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human sees religion symbol and nature warning. The last is psychological approach.
This approach studies about humans and their characteristics (p. 5).
In conducting this study, the psychological and socio-historical approaches
were applied to answer the research problems. Applying the psychological
approach helped the researcher got a better understanding about human behavior
and characteristics. According to Rohrberger and Woods (1971), psychological
approach talks about behavior and characteristics of human (pp. 13-15). Applying
this approach, the researcher got a better understanding about the reasons and
motivations behind the actions of Mariam’s. This approach also assisted the
researcher to dig more about the main character’s problems in the novel. Rohrberger
and Woods also state that the socio-historical approach gave a guidance to the
researcher in analyzing the events explained in the novel based on historical facts
(p. 17).
2.2.2 Character and Characterization
There are many elements represented in a literary work, such as theme, plot,
setting, and character. Each element has its own important role in a literary work.
For example, the element of character that the author uses to present his or her idea
are seen from the dialogues or the actions. Abrams (1981) defines character as a
person who is represented in a dramatic or narrative work and is interpreted by the
reader with moral and dispositional qualities that is expressed in what they say and
do in the story (p. 24). Every character brings some interests, desires, emotions and
moral effects that build them in a story. Based on Abrams (1981), there are two
kinds of character in literature. They are major character and secondary character.
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Major character is defined as a character that is central to the development and
resolution of the story’s conflict. On other hand, secondary character is a character
that is not nearly as interesting as the major characters (p. 27).
According to Murphy (1986), characterization is the way of the author to
explain about the character personalities in the story to the readers (p. 161). Murphy
also states that there are nine ways to explain and convey about character
personalities (pp. 161-173). The characterizations are explained as follows.
2.2.2.1 Personal description
The author can describe a person’s characteristics based on their appearance
and clothing. By looking at the character’s appearance and clothing, the readers can
understand the details of the character (pp. 161-162).
2.2.2.2 Character as seen by another
The author describes the character based on other characters’ opinion. By knowing
another opinion about the character, the readers will get a reflected image itself (p.
162).
2.2.2.3 Speech
Different with another part, in this part, the author describes about the
character by giving the readers an insight into the character in the novel through
what the person says. Whenever the person speaks in a conversation with other
people, and whenever the person puts forward the opinion, he or she is giving the
readers some clues to his or her characteristics (p. 164).
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2.2.2.4 Past Life
The author describes characters in the story by guiding the readers to find
some moments or events in the past and giving the readers some clues by direct
comment, through the person conversation, and through the medium of another
person that help to shape a person’s characteristics (p. 166).
2.2.2.5 Conversation of others
The author shows a person’s characteristics by showing a conversation
between the characters or dialogue of other characters. The clue about the person’s
characteristics through the conversation is based on what other characters say about
the person (pp. 167-168).
2.2.2.6 Reactions
This method explains the characters’ characterization by looking at their
reaction when they are facing some situations in their life. The readers get a clue
from the author to know the character’s characterization by analyzing the way of
the character reacts to the various situations. Based on the characters’ reaction to
the various situations, the readers may conclude the kind of character (pp. 168-170).
2.2.2.7 Direct Comment
The author explains or gives comment on the character directly. The author
usually explains about physical appearance or psychological of the character’s.
Direct comment is easy to analyze the kind of character he or she (pp. 170-171).
2.2.2.8 Thoughts
The author gives the readers clues about a character by showing the
character’s way of thinking. From the character’s way of thinking, the readers can
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understand about character’s characterization. Every character has his or her own
way of thinking (pp. 171-172).
2.2.2.9 Mannerism
The author shows a person’s characterization in the story by describing the
character’s manners, behaviors and habits. For understanding the character’s
characterization, the readers may be able to find information about the character’s
manners, behaviors, and habits. Thus, they can conclude the characterization of the
character (p. 173).
2.2.3 Motivation
Motivation can influence human’s behavior. According to Maslow (1981)
“human motivation theory explains about motivation that leads people to struggle
to reach a human potential as the base of human motivation. Humans have different
motivation of one and each other between their goals” (as cited in Petri, pp. 302-
304). Maslow proposes a theory of human motivation called Hierarchy of Needs. It
is represented by a diagram like a pyramid that consists of five levels. They are
physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization.
In this pyramid, the needs must be fulfilled one by one from the lowest stage to the
highest stage. If one of the stages is not fulfilled, the other stages cannot be
advanced. Thus, people struggle to fulfill the needs in order to reach their goals in
life. Maslow also states that people have their own satisfaction, although it depends
on how they fulfill their needs (p. 308). Therefore, they do some actions and efforts
to satisfy their needs.
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Figure 2.1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Physiological needs are the basic needs in Maslow’s pyramid of human
motivation. These are primary human needs; when these needs cannot be fulfilled,
our body would react, such as sickness, pain, and discomfort (p. 302).
Safety needs are the second primary human needs. These include personal
security, financial security, safety from illness, and many else. Maslow states that
insurance, secure jobs, and work secure are included to human safety needs (p. 303).
The next are love needs. Based on Maslow’s theory, love needs are one of
the needs which tell about emotionally-based human relationship; they are
friendship and intimacy. Maslow also explains that human needs to feel loved by
others and accepted by others (p. 303).
After love needs are fulfilled, esteem needs are the next that must be fulfilled
by human. Esteem needs are kind of needs to be respected and valued by others.
The esteem needs are divided into two parts, they are high esteem needs and low
esteem needs (pp. 303-304).
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The last are concern needs for self-actualization. In Maslow’s pyramid of
human motivations, self-actualization is the highest level of human needs. These
needs have a correlation with individual’s life which is no longer motivated with
deficiencies (pp. 304-305).
2.2.4 Struggle of Life
Life is not always about happiness. Sometimes, problems come up in our
daily life, either very easy or very complicated. People make some efforts to find
ways to solve their problems. Braun, Linder, and Asimov (1979) say that every
person has problems in his or her life without exception. For every person who has
experienced some life events in his or her lifetime, he or she would usually get a
behavior disorder (pp. 478-480). The examples of life problems are divorce, death
of family member or close friends, economic problems, and etc.
In a confined situation, people have to struggle to escape from it. Weiner
(1980) says that human uses strategies to overcome the life problems (p. 250).
People try to apply the best strategies to reach their goals. The effort to reach their
goals is called as struggle. People realize that they have to struggle for their life,
because struggle is very important for them to survive in their own life.
Furthermore, struggle is important to solve life problems and to reach life goals.
2.2.5 Socio-Historical Background of Afghanistan
It is very important to know the socio-historical background of Afghanistan.
It is because the setting of A Thousand Splendid Suns is in Afghanistan. Afghanistan
is one of the Muslim countries in South Central Asia. Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat
are the largest cities in Afghanistan. There are five ethnic groups in Afghanistan,
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such as: Tajiks, Pasthun, Uzbeks, Turkmen, and Hazaras Persian (United States,
2018, retrieved on March 16, 2018, from http://www.un.org/en/member-states/).
Saikal and Maley (1991) say that from those five big ethnic groups, Pasthun is the
biggest ethnic group in Afghanistan (p. 66).
Afghanistan or officially Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is one of Islamic
countries in the world which has strong traditions. Afghanistan is located in South
Asia and Central Asia, bordered by Pakistan in the South and East and Iran in the
West. The area of Afghanistan’s territory is 652.000 km2. It shows that the
population of Afghanistan is approximately 31.6 million (United States, 2018,
retrieved on March 16, 2018, from http://www.un.org/en/member-states/).
In Afghanistan, women’s right is a strong issue. Women there live under the
pressure of men. They cannot do what they want to do. This situation is caused by
the patriarchal gender system and social relation that influence their life
communities.
2.2.5.1 The Role of Afghan Women
Based on the traditional culture in Afghanistan, Afghan women and men
have different roles in society. Ember and Embers (2001) state:
Male and female roles are strongly differentiated. The public sphere is the
domain of men, the domestic one real of women. Women take care of young
children, cook for the household, and clean the house (p. 7).
From the statement, it means that women are meant to be housewives who
focus on housework. Ember and Embers (2001) also state that Afghan women are
not allowed to be involved in public activities and to give opinions or decisions.
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However, women have a big responsibility when their male relatives go to war.
Women have a task which is to protect the house and children.
Women have never participated publicly in decision making processes.
They are admonished to be modest and obey the orders of their fathers,
brother, and husbands. Nevertheless, as guardians of family honor, women
have more power. Nomadic and peasant women play and important role in
the domestic economy and are not secluded in the same way as many urban
women (Ember and Embers, 2001, p. 7).
It is clear that women who live in rural and urban areas have different roles.
However, Afghan women in rural and urban areas live under the patriarchal system
because they are controlled by the men. Men have an absolute authority toward
their family members.
Merrill, Paxson, and Tobey (2006) state that in the past the Afghan families
were endogamous. It was because they were permitted to practice parallel and cross-
cousin marriage. It was also because the highest authority was owned by the male.
Another reason was that patrilineal and patriotic cause the inheritance would be
inherited through the male and made the wife moved into the husband’s place after
the marriage (p. 7). They also state that until today Afghan women are the property
for their family because they cannot go without any permission.
A woman belongs to her family and should not be available, in any sense,
to outsiders. The male has the right to make decision that control female
behavior and it is done to preserve male prestige and family honor.
Women’s independence is not encouraged and the families’ social standing
may suffer if the women do not remain dependent and sub massive to her
husband’s rules (Merrill, Paxson, and Tobey, 2006, pp. 7-8).
Afghan women have lots of limitations in their lives. They are meant to hold
the family’s dignity in order to not ruin her own family’s name. Women are also
asked to obey all of the husband’s rules and to lean upon them.
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Women are able to gain their right to be equal with men in pursuing
education and job after King Amanullah’s first movement towards the Afghan
women’s independency. According to Ember and Embers (2001), women who
lived in urban area had more freedom to seek their rights because between 1919 and
1929, King Amanullah succeeded in promoting female empowerment. During King
Amanullah’s period, many schools, universities, and work places were opened
widely for women. It continued during the Communist government. Many women
who lived in the urban area started to study in many universities (p. 7).
However, the condition about women’s freedom now is different with the
past time. Dupree states women’s freedom was not freely given by the religious
conservative group. Many groups protested toward unveiled woman students in
short skirt at Kabul universities. People threw acid to them. After it happened, urban
women responded it by regrouping as one group to build the anti-government
protests in 1970’s (as cited in Barakat and Wardell, 2011, p. 11).
2.2.5.2 Taliban Regime
Akthar (2008) states that some Pasthun people who declared themselves as
“holy fighter” formed a new group called “Taliban” in the middle of 1990s (p. 56).
Gunderson (2004) states that the Taliban members were the students of Islamic
school or commonly known as Madrassa. Their main goal was to purify their
country to be a pure Islamic nation (p. 35). They made strict laws which were the
combination of “Sharia” and “Pasthunwali”. The Taliban members used their own
conservative ideology and attitude in interrupting the two laws. As a result, their
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effort created a new law that restrained the freedom for women and men in their
lives (p. 8).
The education of girls a jurisprudential ruling (Fatwa) that would fix its path
and limits. As for women, working outside the house the next concerning
that is clear and the matter is incontrovertible. The issue requires no further
discussion and we have nothing to do but obey (Crew and Tarzi, 2009, p.
141).
The Taliban closed all of the educational places for women because women
were not allowed to educate themselves. It was because there were no verse in
Koran which showed that women were allowed to educate themselves. The Afghan
people noticed that the Taliban were not educated properly. They also knew that
the Taliban were not able to read and write. The Taliban also did not have any
knowledge about other discipline instead of Koran. The reality about the Taliban in
education skills also made many harms to the Afghan people.
The Taliban were able to control Afghanistan by using a system named
“shadow government”. According to the Atlantic Council, it was a parallel political
power structure which could be associated with the official government apparatus.
The Taliban had a total of 60.000-70.000 members that were set to fight (as cited
in Nijseen, 2011, p. 1). By having thousands of armies, the Taliban used their power
to control Afghanistan government.
Nowadays, Afghanistan is under president Ghani’s control. He was
inaugurated after Taliban’s era collapsed. President Ghani replaced Hamid Karzai
to control Afghanistan’s government. Hamid Karzai is the leader of Taliban which
led Afghanistan for twelve years. Officially, President Ghani was elected as
Afghanistan’s president in September 2014.
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2.3 Theoretical Framework
The researcher applies two approaches in this research. They are
psychological approach and socio-historical approach. The approaches are used to
answer the problems which are formulated. Psychological approach is used in this
research to get a better understanding about Mariam’s motivation to struggle and
the reasons behind her actions. Psychological approach also helps the researcher to
reveal Mariam’s characteristics and personality. Whereas, applying socio-historical
approach in this research helps the researcher to get a better understanding about
Afghanistan’s culture that influences Mariam’s way of thinking and how she
survives with her life. This research also uses some theories to support the analysis
such as theory of character and characterization, theory of motivation, theory of
struggle, and socio-historical background of Afghanistan.
Theory of character and characterization is used to answer the first research
problem. The theory helps the researcher to analyze the characteristics of the main
character namely Mariam. In this research, the researcher uses the theory of
character and characterization from Abrams (1981) and Murphy (1986).
Theory of motivation is used to answer the second research problem. This
theory helps the researcher to know Mariam’s motivation and also her reasons
behind her actions to struggle for her life. The researcher uses the theory of
motivation from Maslow (1981). The other theory which is used to answer the
second research problem is theory of struggle. This theory gives information about
the definition of struggle and the reasons of human struggle. The researcher uses
the theory of struggle from Weiner (1980) and Braun, Linder, Asimov (1979). As
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Mariam’s life is also influenced by the environment, the researcher adds the socio-
historical background of Afghanistan to support the analysis of second research
problem.
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CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology applied in analyzing Hosseini’s A
Thousand Splendid Suns. There are two parts in this chapter. They are object of the
study and approach of the study. The object of the study describes the novel and
some sources that support the study. Meanwhile, the approach of the study
describes the approach that is applied in the analysis.
3.1 Object of the Study
The object of the study is a novel entitled A Thousand Splendid Suns. This
novel was written by Khaled Hosseini, an Afghanistan writer who lives in United
States of America. He was born in Kabul, 4th March 1965. Before becoming a
writer, Hosseini was graduated from faculty of medicine. He wrote some popular
novels like The Kite Runner, The Mountain Echoed, and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
A Thousand Splendid Suns consists of 418 pages in 3 parts in 51 chapters. It was
published in 2007 by the Penguins Group. This research used the paperback edition
published in December 2008.
The story of the novel sets in Afghanistan in 20th until 21th centuries. This
novel tells about Mariam, an illegitimate child. Mariam lives in kolba on the suburb
of Herat with her mother, Nana. Jalil, her father, is a wealthy businessman and lives
in the town with three wives and nine children. Mariam is his illegitimate daughter,
and she is prohibited to live with them.
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The story of Mariam in this novel attracts Columbia Pictures’ attention and it is
going to be cinematized soon. Steven Zaillin, as the scenario writer, said that Scoot
Rudin will become the producer in this movie. Columbia does not give detailed
explanation about the production timeline.
3.2 Approaches of the Study
In order to reveal Mariam’s struggles to get abundant love from people
around her and also liberate herself from her husband’s torture, this research applies
two approaches: psychological approach and socio-historical approach. The
psychological approach is applied because it focuses on the psychological pattern
of human and also used to identify human characteristic, personality, and behavior.
In this research, psychological approach helps the researcher to analyze Mariam’s
characteristics and personality and also to get a deeper understanding of Mariam’s
struggles for her life. The socio-historical approach is applied in this research
because it focuses on culture, ethnic, and historical background. This novel has a
story line with cultural background influenced by the regime which has power in
Afghanistan on 20th and 21th centuries. It also effects on Mariam’s life, the way
Mariam interacts and how Mariam survives with her life. This approach is applied
to see whether the socio-historical background of Afghanistan influences the
struggle of Mariam or not.
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CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This part consists of the analysis of the story. It is aims to answer the
questions that are stated in the research problems. The analysis of the story is
divided into two parts. The first part is the analysis of Mariam’s characteristics as
found in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. Then, the second part of this chapter
analyses Mariam’s struggles for her life.
4.1 The Characteristics of Mariam
This section analyses Mariam’s characteristics described in Hosseini’s A
Thousand Splendid Suns. Mariam is Rasheed’s first wife. According to Henkle’s
theory (1977), Mariam is a major character. Mariam dominates the whole story in
the novel. Mariam is described in every chapter of the novel from the beginning
until the end of the story. Henkle (1977) says that major character is a character
who has the biggest attention from the readers (p. 92).
In the novel, Hosseini tries to make Mariam look as a tough woman.
Hosseini tries to show that fact by showing some signs in every chapter. According
to Murphy (1986) there are ways to learn about character’s characterization by some
signs. Murphy’s theory presents nine ways to describe the character. There are
personal description, character as seen by another, speech, past life, conversation of
others, reaction, direct comment, thoughts, and mannerism. The ways explained
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before described by Murphy in his theory of Characters and Characterization helps
the researcher to find Mariam’s characters.
4.1.1 Naive
Mariam is a naive person. Naive here means Mariam believes in whatever
people say, without ensuring about the truth. Jalil always visits Mariam in Gul
Daman every Thursday. He tells Mariam about Herat and everything in the city.
Jalil tells Mariam the story about Queen Gauhar Shad. He also describes the green
wheat field in Herat. One day, Jalil tells Mariam about Pistachio tree. He says that
he had visited that place once with Mariam when she was a kid. The novel describes
that Mariam does not remember that moment, but she still believes everything Jalil
says to her. Mariam’s naive characteristic can be seen by her way of thinking in a
quotation below:
“It was true. Mariam didn’t remember. And though she would live the first
fifteen years of her life within walking distance of Herat, Mariam would
never see this storeid tree. She would never see the famous minarets up
close. And she would never pick fruit from Herat’s orchards or stroll in its
fields of wheat. But whenever Jalil talked like this, Mariam would listen
with enchantment. She would admire Jalil for his vast and worldly
knowledge. She would quiver with pride to have a father who knew such
things.” (p. 5).
The quotation above is a sample of evidence that Mariam is a naive person.
It shows Mariam’s way of thinking by believing in Jalil’s story about Herat,
Pistachio tree and their trip around Herat although Mariam never remembers that.
Based on Murphy’s theory of characterization (1972), the quotation above describes
Mariam’s naive characterization based on her way of thinking. The explanation
about Mariam’s naive characterization is supported by another evidence found by
the researcher in the novel. The evidence is a conversation between Nana and
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Mariam when Jalil leaves them after visiting their kolba. Nana, Mariam’s mother,
convinces Mariam that Jalil is a liar with all things that are done by him towards
Nana and Mariam.
“What rich lies!” Nana said after Jalil left. “Rich man telling rich lies. He
never took you to any tree. And don’t let him charm you. He betrayed us,
your beloved father. He cast us out, he cast us out of his big fancy house
like we were nothing to him. He did it happily.” (p. 5).
Nana tries to make Mariam believe that Jalil is a liar but Mariam still does
not believe what her mother says about Jalil. Mariam never believes Nana and
everything that Nana says to her, Mariam always ignores it. In Mariam’s point of
view, Nana is the true liar not Jalil. “Mariam would not listen dutifully to this. She
never darred say to Nana how much she dislikes her talking this way about Jalil”
(p. 5). Mariam tries to ignore what her mother says to her. She chooses to believe
her father. Mariam admires Jalil as a man who knows everything in the world.
Whereas, Mariam does not know the truth of the story that Jalil tells her. Mariam
never proves it directly because she lives in Gul Daman. It is located on a hill, in a
small city and it is so far away from Herat. The access from Gul Daman to Herat is
very difficult. Mariam should cross a river and pass through the rocky road to go to
Herat. This condition makes Mariam and Nana become isolated from the outside.
Another evidence that supports Mariam as a naive woman is her
conversation between Nana and her. It is about Nana’s condition when she is
pregnant and her experience when she brings forth Mariam, also her struggle to cut
the line that connects between Mariam and her.
“When the pain got bad, I’d bite on a pillow and scream into it until I was
hoarse. And still no one came to wipe my face or give me a drink of water.
And you, Mariam Jo, you were in no rush. Almost two days you made me
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lie on cold, hard floor. I didn’t eat or sleep, all I did was push and pray that
you would come out.
“I’m sorry, Nana.”
“I cut the cord between us myself. That’s why I had a knife.”
“I’m sorry,” (p. 11)
A conversation between Nana and Mariam above tells about Mariam’s
process of birth which makes Nana feel so tortured. Nana says that she should sleep
on the floor without a mattress for layering her body from the cold weather. Nana
also says that she tries so hard to cut the umbilical cord between her and Mariam
with a knife which is prepared before. Knowing her mother struggles when she
gives birth without another help, Mariam feels guilty and sad. She always feels that
her mother has been in a hard situation because of her. Mariam directly believes all
Nana’s story about her process of pregnancy until giving birth. Actually, the truth
is Mariam was born in a hospital with the help of a good doctor with good facilities.
Jalil comes to the hospital to check Nana and Mariam’s condition at that time. There
is no chance for Jalil to explain what actually happens to Mariam about her process
of birth. Mariam believes Nana more than her father as her mother takes care of
Mariam since her childhood.
Based on the evidences above, Mariam’s naive character can be seen in two
ways. They are shown by thought and conversation of others. Hosseini tries to
explain Mariam’s naive character by showing her way of thinking about Jalil and
his story about Herat. Not only that, Hosseini also uses conversation between
Mariam and her mother to describe the characterization of Mariam.
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4.1.2 Religious
According to Murphy’s theory, mannerism is one of nine ways to do
characterization. Mannerism is the way the author applies to describe a people or a
character by their habits and manners. In this novel, Hosseini describes Mariam as
a religious woman. It is clearly shown by Hosseini’s description. Mariam always
prays five times in a day. She never leaves sholat. In every condition, Mariam never
forgets God. She always asks for help to God. In her sad or happy situation, she
always praises God.
“The first few days, Mariam hardly left her room. She was awakened every
dawn for prayer by the distant cry for azan, after which she crawled back
into bed” (p. 62).
The evidence above explains Mariam’s habit even if she is in the bad
situation. The author shows that Mariam should face a bitter reality about her
mother. Mariam is sad because her mother passes away. Mariam feels guilty
because she becomes the reason why Nana suicides. When she is sad, she still
remembers to pray to God. Even Mariam always stays in her room and does nothing
but praying in there because her sadness of losing her mother so early. She never
forgets to pray. She always remembers what Mullah Faizullah says to her when she
was young “You should always remember to God, whatever happened to you.” (p.
10). The message from Mullah Faizullah above leads Mariam to always hope to
God and do five-time prays.
Another evidence that shows Mariam as a religious woman is her frequent
learning of Koran recitation with Mullah Faizullah. Mullah Faizullah is the elderly
Koran tutor in her village. He visits Mariam several times in a week in Mariam’s
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Kolba at Gul Daman. Mullah Faizullah usually goes to Mariam’s Kolba
accompanied by his elder son. Mullah brings some candies and biscuits for Mariam
every time he visits Mariam. Mullah not only teaches Mariam about Koran and five-
daily Namaz prayer but also he guides Mariam to write some Arabian alphabets.
Mariam feels happy when Mullah comes to her house and he is one of Mariam’s
favorite persons. It is because she is excited with everything that Mullah teaches to
her.
“But Mariam’s favorite. Other than Jalil of course, was Mullah Faizullah,
the elderly village Koran tutor, its akhud. He came by once or twice a week
from Gul Daman to teach Mariam the five daily namaz prayers and tutor her
in Koran recitation, just as he had taught Nana when she’d been a little girl.”
(p. 16).
Besides learning Koran recitation, Mariam also wears a burqa as a part of
her religion rules. Mariam knows about burqa from Rasheed. He buys a set of burqa
for Mariam, so her body is hidden from others which are not muhrim for her. “With
a corner of her hijab, she dabbed at the moisture above her upper lip and tried her
nerves” (p. 66). The author shows that Mariam always uses burqa every day and
everywhere because of her religion rules which should be done.
After analyzing some evidences above, the researcher has found that
Mariam is a religious person. It can be seen by her manner. Mariam has good daily
habits as a Moslem. She always does five-time prayers and learns Koran recitation
frequently. She also applies her religion law by closing her body with burqa.
Therefore, her body is not exposed to others. Besides that, Mariam teaches Aziza
to recite Koran in their spare time.
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4.1.3 Unconfident
Mariam is an illegitimate daughter of Nana and Jalil. Jalil is one of
wealthiest men in Herat. He has three wives and nine legitimate children. Nana has
been one of the housekeepers in Jalil’s house before her belly swells because of her
pregnancy. This situation makes Jalil’s legitimate wives get angry and Nana is
thrown out from Jalil’s house. As she is an illegitimate child, Mariam is isolated by
her society. Nana and Mariam choose to live in a remote area, so people will not
laugh and judge them. This situation makes Mariam become an unconfident person
when she meets other people that she does not know before. This situation happens
until Mariam gets married with Rasheed. The evidence below shows Mariam’s
unconfident character when she meets her new neighbor while she is standing in a
queue for tandoor.
“In the tandoor line, Mariam caught sideways glances shot at her, heard
whispers. Her hand began to sweat. She imagined they all knew that she’d
been born a harami, a source if shame to her father and his family. They all
knew that she’d betrayed her mother and disgraced herself.” (p. 66)
Based on Mariam’s reaction towards her neighbors’ greetings, it shows that
she is unconfident with the situation. Whereas, Mariam’s neighbor greets her with
a friendly occasion. It shows when Fariba with her warm and friendly attitude
comes to Mariam and introduces herself to Mariam. Fariba also asks Mariam about
Herat enthusiastically. However, Mariam’s reaction makes her neighbor feel
confused with her. This situation makes her neighbor think that Mariam is a nerd
and arrogant person.
Mariam’s characteristic also can be seen in her reaction towards Fariba and
friends when they ask some questions to Mariam, “With a corner of her hijab, she
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dabbed at the moisture above her upper lip and tried her nerves” (p. 66). For hiding
her unconfident feeling Mariam tries to make herself comfortable with the
condition. She sweeps her sweat in her lips and hides her trembling hands from her
neighbor. She does it to make her neighbors not aware of her unconfident feeling.
Her neighbors start to make a circle and Mariam becomes the center of the circle.
They ask Mariam about everything. They want to know about Mariam’s
background of life and her marriage life with Rasheed. They also ask about Herat
to Mariam, because most of them do not know more about Herat except from the
newspaper.
Day by day Mariam feels more unconfident and it is shown by her reaction
to her neighbors after they ask so many questions to Mariam. Mariam cannot hide
her unconfident feeling anymore. She tries so hard for back away from the circle.
Mariam is very unconfident with the situation at that time. “Let her be!” Fariba was
saying. “Move aside, let her be! You’re frightening her!” (p. 68). Fariba, is one of
her neighbors that can see Mariam’s unconfident feeling from her reaction when
Fariba and the other neighbors make a circle and ask Mariam about everything.
Because of Mariam’s reaction, Fariba tries to help her by reminding her friends not
to make Mariam feel fearful. Mariam tries to run away from her neighbors who see
her with confused feeling. Mariam runs until she finds an intersection and she
realizes that she runs in to the wrong way.
Based on the evidences above, Mariam’s unconfident character can be seen
by her reactions toward her neighbors when they met in tandoor line. Reaction is
one of nine ways to explain character’s personalities based on Murphy’s theory of
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characters and characterization. Reaction is a way that describes characters’
characterization by looking at the characters’ reaction toward a situation which
happens in their life. This way helps the researcher to conclude that Mariam is an
unconfident person.
4.1.4 Tough
Mariam is a tough person. It can be seen from Mariam’s reaction when her
husband Rasheed does something cruel to her. Tough here means Mariam is
physically and emotionally strong and she is able to deal with harsh conditions like
when her husband starts to torture her. Her husband starts to torture her since they
lost their baby because of miscarriages. Since that time, everything that Mariam
does for Rasheed is always wrong to him. Her husband always hits Mariam with
his belt or slap Mariam’s face. He also kicks and punches Mariam when she does
not follow his commands. Not only by doing physical tortures, but Rasheed also
does verbal tortures to Mariam. He often insults Mariam because of her innocence.
Everything that she does and says always make her husband angry. When Rasheed
starts to torture her again, Mariam just does nothing. Mariam’s tough characteristic
can be seen by Mariam’s reaction when her husband gets angry at her because she
does something wrong.
“Mariam kneeled to the ground and tried to pick up the grains of rice and
put them back on the plate, but her hand were shaking badly, and she had to
wait for them to stop.” (p. 103).
...
“She tried to take a few deep breaths. She caught her pale reflection in the
darkened living-room widow and looked away.” (p. 103).
...
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“Through the mouthful of grit and pebbles, Mariam mumbled a plea. Tears
were leaking out of the corner of her eyes.” (p. 104)
By analyzing the evidence above, Mariam’s reaction towards what Rasheed
does to her shows that she is a tough person. Her body language shows all of what
she feels at that time. Mariam does not want to fight back; because it can make
Rasheed angrier than before. Therefore, Mariam just hides her feeling away and
tries to calm her emotion to avoid bad things happen to her.
Another moment that shows Mariam is a tough person is when Rasheed
blames Mariam as a person who teaches Laila to rebel him. The evidence below
shows Mariam’s reaction against how Rasheed treats her when Rasheed goes to
Mariam’s room and brings a belt in his hand. She is so scared but she does nothing.
She just crosses over her chest without any resistance. She hides her chest from
Rasheed because it will be the first target for Rasheed. “Her arms instinctively
crossed over her chest, where he often struck her first” (p. 240). Even though
Mariam is not the cause why Laila ignores him, Rasheed still blames and hits her
with a belt which he buys for his wedding ceremony with Laila.
Besides that, Mariam’s characteristic also can be seen from her reaction
when she descends from the truck in Ghazi Stadium to attend the last ceremony
before her execution. From Mariam’s reaction toward the people’s mockery there,
the author wants to show that Mariam is a tough woman. Even though she feels
afraid, she can control her feeling at that time. Mariam does nothing when she hears
people yelling at her. She just focuses on the instruction given by the armies there.
“But when she was made to descend from the truck, Mariam’s legs did not
buckle. Her arms did not flail. She did not have to be dragged. And when
she did feel herself faltering, she thought of Zalmai, from whom she had
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taken the love of his life, whose days now would be shaped by the sorrow
of his father’s disappearance. And then Mariam’s stride steadied and she
could walk without protest.” (p. 369)
From Mariam’s reaction towards the people who yell at her in Ghazi
stadium above, it shows Mariam’s tough characteristic. She does not fight back
when people in Ghazi stadium yell at her. She just looks down to distract her mind.
Mariam walks steadily to the execution place without any fears. She just remembers
about Zalmai. Zalmai is Rasheed’s and Laila’s second child. Her guilty feeling to
Zalmai makes Mariam tough to face her execution.
After analyzing third evidences above, the researcher can conclude that
Mariam is a tough woman. It can be seen by her reaction toward the situation that
happens in her life. When Mariam is tortured by her husband and yelled by other
people in Ghazi stadium, she is just silent and does nothing. After what happened
in her life, she still has a strong mentality. She can control her emotion well. She
does not want to fight back because it makes the situation become worst.
4.2 Mariam Struggle for Her Life
Problems frequently come up in people’s daily life without exception, either
easy or difficult. It is because life is not always about happiness. Problems can come
from a relationship, society, economic life, and something that people never expect.
Actually, problems come to give people some experiences in life, so they can
choose their decision cautiously. When problems come, people not only surrender
but also they make some effort to find some way to solve their problems. Weiner
(1980) says that strategy that human uses to overcome the life problems is called
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struggle (p. 250). People struggle to find the best way to solve their problems in life
and to reach life goals. Without struggle, they cannot survive in their own life. For
the people, struggle becomes a hope to keep the spirit to live.
People struggle because of the motivation inside them. Through their
awareness, the motivation makes them struggle to reach what they want. Maslow
(1981) says there are some needs that influence someone’s struggle. Maslow has
divided them into physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and
needs for self-actualization.
In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Mariam as the major character shows us her
struggle to face her life as a woman. She struggles in many aspects of her life since
her childhood until the day when she is punished by death penalty. Mariam’s life
background influences the way she makes a decision to solve her problem in her
life. Since her childhood, Mariam has to face some of the problems such as poverty,
the death of her babies, family abuse, polygamy, and many else. Her tough
characteristic makes her struggle for her life until she is sentenced to death because
she has killed her husband to save Laila and her children’s life.
This part consists of Mariam’s struggles to face her life. This section is
divided into two parts. The first part is the background of Mariam’s life as seen in
the novel. The second part is Mariam’s struggles to face her life.
4.2.1 Mariam’s life background
Mariam is the major character in this novel. She has been rejected by the
people around her since her childhood because of her status as an illegitimate child.
Mariam is an illegitimate daughter of Jalil and Nana. Jalil is one of the wealthiest
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men in Herat while Nana is one of Jalil’s housekeepers. In the beginning of their
forbidden relationship story, Jalil and Nana can hide their love story from others
including his wives and his children. In the end, their relationship is revealed. Jalil’s
wives cannot accept the reality. They ask Jalil to throw Nana and her baby out from
Jalil’s house. Jalil’s wives do not let him to be responsible for Nana’s pregnancy.
They also do not want Nana and Mariam to live in the same house with them. Jalil’s
wives consider Nana and Mariam as a parasite for their family. The conversation
between Nana and Mariam below shows about Jalil’s family rejection to Nana and
Mariam and the perception about them.
“To Jalil and his wives, I was a pokeroot. A mugwort. You too. And you
weren’t even born yet.”
“What’s a mugwort?” Mariam asked.
“A weed,” Nana said. “Something you rip out and toss aside.” (p. 8)
Based on Nana and Mariam’s conversation shown above, Jalil’s family does
not like Nana and Mariam. Nana uses parasite as an analogy to represent something
useless like herself and Mariam. They become a burden for Jalil’s family and they
must be thrown away. Jalil’s wives try to throw away Nana and Mariam from their
house. It is because in Afghanistan, when a man and a woman marry, the woman
will move into the husband’s place, and Jalil’s wives do not want to live in the same
house with the illegitimate wife of their husband. They ask their husband to find an
area far away from Herat for Nana and Mariam. There, Jalil will build a kolba for
Nana and Mariam, so they will be isolated from outside. Jalil’s wives do this
because they do not want their friends and colleagues in Herat know about Nana
and their husband’s illegitimate daughter.
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Another evidence that shows Mariam is rejected by her father and his family
is when Mariam asks Jalil about her birthday present. She asks her father to
accompany her to go to the cinema for watching a new American film with special
kind of effects. The first reaction that Jalil shows to Mariam is shocked but he tries
to set his voice to be calm and in control. He tries to find some excuses in order to
make Mariam not go to the cinema in Herat. He also agrees with Nana’s statement
that forbids her daughter to go to Herat.
“You know,” he said. “The picture quality isn’t that good. Neither is the
sound. And the projector’s been malfunctioning recently. Maybe your
mother is right. Maybe you can think of another present Mariam Jo.” (p. 26)
Jalil tries to find a reason in order to make Mariam not ask him to go to the
cinema. He is afraid if Mariam feels disappointed of him. Jalil tries so hard to make
Mariam believe him about the condition of the cinema at the time but Mariam does
not believe. Mariam tries another way. When her father comes and brings her to the
stream, she tries again to ask her father to bring her to a cinema. Jalil still tries to
reject what Mariam wants and gives her another option like the evidence below tries
to show.
“I’ll tell you what,” Jalil said. “I’ll send someone to pick up and take you.
I’ll make sure they get you a good seat and all the candy you want.”
“Nay. I want you to take me.”
“Mariam Jo---”
“And I want you to invite my brothers and sister too. I want to meet them. I
want us all to go, together. It’s what I want.”
Jalil sighed. He was looking away, toward the mountains. (p. 26)
Based on the evidence above, Jalil has a strong principle in order to make
Mariam not to go to Herat for watching a film in his cinema. However, Mariam still
whimpers at him for the second time. Mariam still wants Jalil to accompany her to
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watch a movie and eat some candies. She also wants to invite her siblings to watch
the film together. They argue with each other until Jalil stops it. At that time Jalil is
mad because Mariam still tries to force Jalil but he tries to manage her emotion. In
the end, Mariam decides to wait Jalil in the place which is set by herself. Jalil refuses
Mariam’s decision. It makes Jalil angry because Mariam makes a decision without
an agreement from Jalil. However, Jalil does not show his anger, he does not want
Mariam to feel disappointed again. Based on Ember and Embers (2001), women in
Afghanistan are not allowed to give opinion or make decisions because it breaks
the rule which is applied there. The position of women is under men in any aspects
including giving opinions and making decisions.
Jalil’s family rejection towards Mariam and unjust experiences that she gets
since her childhood influence Mariam’s characteristic. She becomes unconfident
woman and she has difficulties in socializing with other people. Her status as an
illegitimate daughter makes the situation become harder for her. Mariam is afraid
when people know about her status as an illegitimate child, they will make a
distance with her.
Not only being rejected by her father’s family but Mariam also experiences
verbal abuses by her mother. Since her childhood, her mother always curses Mariam
by calling her harami. Nana always curses Mariam when she does something
wrong, like breaking Nana’s Chinese tea set. “You are clumsy little harami. This is
my reward for everything I’ve endured. An heirloom-breaking, clumsy little
harami” (p. 4). Mariam breaks the sugar bowl when she prepares the tea set to
welcome Jalil who comes to their kolba. Nana is shocked when she knows about
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the broken sugar bowl and she starts to curse Mariam. At that time, Mariam does
not understand the meaning of the word harami. When Mariam is old enough, she
realizes the meaning of harami. After knowing the meaning of harami, Mariam
feels so hurt. It is because she feels that her family does not want her.
Not only verbal abusement, Nana also does not let Mariam study in a formal
school. One day, when Mariam and Mullah Faizullah walk around the kolba, she
tells Mullah Faizullah about her dream to get an education from a formal school
like other Jalil’s daughters. Saidah and Naheed are Mariam’s sisters from another
mother who are studying in a formal school at Herat. Mariam asks Mullah Faizullah
to get a permission from her mother so that Mariam can study in a formal school.
However, when Nana hears about Mariam’s dream to study in a formal school, she
feels shocked and does not agree with that. The evidence below shows Nana’s
disagreement towards Mariam’s plan to study in a formal school. Nana disputes
Mariam’s desire. According to Nana, getting an education from a formal school is
not really important, especially for a woman. Formal school does not teach how to
survive in this hard life. They just teach about history, science, and math which
cannot be applied to survive.
“What’s the sense schooling a girl like you? It’s like shining a spittoon. And
you’ll learn nothing of value in those schools. There is only one, only one
skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don’t teach it in school.
Look at me.”
...
“Only one skill. And it’s this: tahamul. Endure.”
“Endure what, Nana?”
“Oh, don’t you fret about that,” Nana said. “There won’t be any shortage of
things.” (p. 18)
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The conversation between Nana and Mariam above tells about Nana’s
disagreement. Whereas, according to Ember and Embers (2001), actually women
had more freedom to find their rights because of the King of Afghanistan, King
Amanullah, reigning between 1919 until 1929. He kept the spirit to promote female
empowerment in his country. Many schools and universities had been opened for
women students, so those who lived in the rural area went to the capital city to get
a good quality of education. This situation happened during the Communist
government. This program had become the first movement towards the Afghan
women’s independency for women to get education. However, this fact does not
change Nana’s argument about studying in a formal school. She still does not give
a permission for Mariam to study in a formal school. Mariam is very disappointed,
but she also does not want to rebel her mother.
Mariam’s life background above which underlies her to struggle means that
actually she has meaning in her life like the people around her. In the end, she tries
to struggle to get her freedom from the pressure done by the people around her
especially her mother and her father’s family.
4.2.2 Mariam’s struggles to face her life
Mariam’s life experiences make her become a naive, unconfident, religious,
and tough person. In a moment of her lifetime, she realizes that her bad experiences
should be finished. She has to stop everything that makes her feels unconfident, not
secure, and not in love. Mariam has to struggle for her life and run away from her
husband’s pressure. In her struggle, she needs a good strategy to reach them. The
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strategy that she uses are going to Herat to meet her father and fighting against
Rasheed’s bad behavior.
4.2.2.1 Going to Herat to Meet Her Father
Since her childhood, Mariam rarely feels the affection from her parents. It
is because of her parents who live separately. Jalil lives in Herat and her mother
lives in Gul Daman. Even if Jalil visits her once a week, it does not mean that his
father’s affection is enough for Mariam. Her mother’s attitude also makes Mariam
feels unwanted, because she always blames Mariam for what happens to them. It
makes Mariam dream to live with Jalil and his family in Herat.
The situation above motivates Mariam to struggle. Maslow as cited in Petri
(1981) explains that being loved by others is one of human needs. Mariam also
needs the feeling of being loved and wanted from her father. She tries some ways
to persuade Jalil to bring her when Jalil goes back to Herat. She often asks Jalil to
go to Herat with her but Jalil pretends to neglect her. Although Mariam really wants
to go to Herat and watch a movie in her father’s cinema, Jalil never allows her to
go there. It is because her status as an illegitimate and Jalil does not want his
colleagues to know about Mariam. He feels ashamed for having an illegitimate
daughter. Therefore, Jalil never tells her about the reason why she is not allowed to
go. Until one day, Mariam asks Jalil about her wish for her birthday present as an
effort to get Jalil’s affection. She wants Jalil to accompany her to go to his cinema
on her birthday. “I want you to take me to your cinema,” Mariam said now. “I want
to see the cartoon. I want to see the puppet boy.” (p. 26). The evidence shows
Mariam’s struggles to fulfill her love needs from her father. She really wants to go
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to Herat and she also wants to feel what her brothers and sisters feel, like watching
a cartoon with their parents, eating candies, spending time in Herat and many more.
Mariam always tries to persuade Jalil to grant her request to go to Herat and
accompany her to watch a cartoon. The reason why she does it because she misses
the feeling of being wanted and loved. She struggles a lot with it to get full love and
affection from her parents like other children.
On another day, she tries a little bit harder than before. She forces Jalil to
promise picking her up in the place that has been agreed. “Tomorrow. At noon. I’ll
meet you at this very spot. All right? Tomorrow?” (p. 27). Mariam waits for Jalil’s
answer, but there is no word that comes to his mouth. Jalil just holds her for a long
time. Unfortunately, Mariam thinks that it is an agreement and she believes that
Jalil will keep his promise. Next day, Mariam feels so excited because she will meet
her father’s family and watch a movie together. Mariam thinks that her struggle to
get attention and affection will end because it is one step closer to get all of it. She
prepares herself with her best clothes that she has. She also uses the best scarf for
hiding her hair. Even though the colors of her clothes and scarf do not match
enough, Mariam is still confident with her appearance. After that, she checks the
clock to make sure that she does not late. She waits for Jalil on the spot they have
agreed. Mariam tries to kill the time by drawing an elephant in one strike like Jalil
has shown her. She looks worry when she is waiting for her father. Time pass,
Mariam goes back to her kolba. She tries another way in order to avoid Nana and
makes reason in order to make her mother not suspicious towards her plan to go to
Herat with her father. It is almost one o’clock when Mariam checks the clock again.
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She tries to think positively and go back to the spot her father and she have agreed.
Her naive characteristic makes Mariam still believe that her father will come to the
spot that they have agreed and he will bring Mariam to Herat. She waits rather long
but Jalil never comes. In the end, Mariam forces her heart to go to Herat alone
search for Jalil’s house.
“She waited until her legs were stiff. This time, she did not go back to the
kolba. She rolled up the legs of her trousers to the knees, cussed the stream,
and, for the first time in her life, headed down the hill for Herat.” (p. 30)
Mariam has a strong motivation to get abundant love from her father. She
needs to fulfill her love needs in her life. It becomes a reason why she decides to go
to Herat. As she is a tough woman she dares to go to Herat by herself. When she
arrives in Herat, she looks so excited with the situation there. No one calls her
harami and no one laughs at her like what Nana has said to her before. Mariam can
hardly believe that she is in Herat. At that time, Mariam realizes that she must find
her father’s house as soon as possible. She encourages herself to greet a man who
drives a gari and asks where is Jalil’s house. Luckily, the driver knows where Jalil’s
house is and he agrees to bring Mariam to Jalil’s house.
Being loved and wanted by others is one of the human needs. Maslow states
that being loved become human’s primary need. Being loved and wanted by others
are Mariam’s motives to struggle. It is shown in some evidences above that the
researcher found. It tells us about Mariam’s effort to persuade Jalil to bring her go
to Herat.
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4.2.2.2 Fighting against Rasheed’s bad behavior
Since Mariam’s mother is dead, she lives with her father’s family. Even
though she lives with her father, she is not happy. Mariam feels so disappointed
with Jalil and his family because of their reaction when Mariam comes to Herat and
tries to meet them. Every day she just cries of regretting her attitude as she never
trusts her mother. One fine day, one of her stepmothers asks Mariam to get married
to one of their family’s colleagues. Mariam does not agree with the offer. Mariam
asks her father to prevent his wife’s plan to wed her. However, he is just quiet and
does nothing to defend Mariam from his wives’ plan. In the end, she is married to
Rasheed. He is one of her father’s family colleagues. He is a widower and he works
as a shoemaker in Kabul. After their wedding ceremony, Rasheed brings Mariam
to his house in Deh-Mazang.
They look happy at the beginning of their marriage life until they lose their
babies because of miscarriages. Rasheed becomes easy to get angry. He often
tortures Mariam, not only physically and mentally torture but also verbal torture.
This situation makes Mariam want to do something, she feeds up with all of what
Rasheed does to the family. Mariam’s tough characteristic makes her courageously
change the situation and struggle to rebel Rasheed. She wants to live safely and it
motivates her to struggle and rebel Rasheed. Maslow states that safety needs are the
second primary human needs that must be fulfilled. In this case, Mariam does not
want her life to be controlled by her husband and feels insecure because Rasheed
can torture her anytime. She does not want to feel afraid anymore. The evidence
below shows Mariam’s struggle to fight her husband when he starts to torture her.
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Mariam lost count of how many times the belt cracked, how many pleading
words she cried out to Rasheed, how many times she circled around the
incoherent tangle of teeth and fists and belt, before she saw fingers clawing
at Rasheed’s face, chipped nails digging into his jowls and pulling at his
hair and scratching his forehead. How long before she realized, with both
shock and relish, that the fingers were hers. (p. 346)
Based on the author’s direct comment above, Mariam tries to fight back
when Rasheed starts to do some physical tortures. She does many things to stop
Rasheed’s bad attitude towards Mariam at that time. She wants Rasheed to realize
that Mariam is his wife who has to be loved and treated well and given a sense of
security.
Mariam as Rasheed’s wife does not have power in the family. As a wife she
must agree with all of her husband’s decision. It is because Rasheed uses patriarchy
role as his family foundation. Millet, as cited in Eisenstein (1983) states that
patriarchy is a system in which the man becomes the head of the family and he also
becomes the person who has the highest position to governing others (p. 5).
Although the situation makes Mariam depressed, she does not feel afraid; she is a
tough woman who keeps struggling to find her freedom and feels secure in her life.
She tries to struggle more to reach her goals to get freedom and feels secure in her
life. When Mariam feels like giving up, she starts to pray to God. Her religious
characteristic makes Mariam able to endure the problems that come to her life.
Mariam always does five-time prayers as Mullah Faizullah asks to her. “You should
always remember God, whatever happened to you.” (p. 10). Mariam’s
characteristics above make her able to struggle for security feeling in her life.
Another moment that shows Mariam’s struggle for security in her life is
when Tariq comes to their house. It makes the situation more complicated. Tariq is
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Laila’s best friend. Besides that, Tariq is also Laila’s first love and Aziza’s father.
The fact that Tariq is Aziza’s father makes Rasheed disappointed. Rasheed is easier
to get angry than before. He is easy to get jealous. He also feels that Mariam tries
to lie at him. Rasheed accuses Mariam that she hides something behind him. Since
that time, what Mariam does to make Rasheed happy becomes something wrong to
him. He often tortures Mariam more. Rasheed likes to hit and pull Mariam’s hair.
Mariam is tired of being pressed by Rasheed. Mariam does not want this situation
to last long.
Mariam steadied her feet and tightened her grip around the shovel’s handle.
She said his name. She wanted him to see.
“Rasheed.”
He looked up.
Mariam swung.
She hit across the tempel.
...
Rasheed touched his head with the palm of his hand. He looked at the blood
on his fingertips, then at Mariam. (p.348)
Mariam’s reaction towards what Rasheed does to her shows that she cannot
take it anymore. She feels tired if she always has to compromise Rasheed’s bad
behavior. She does not want her life to be full of fear and depression. With her
toughness, Mariam chooses to fight back and get her freedom. Her struggle is to
make Rasheed realize that what he has done will make Mariam feel insecure and
afraid. Her struggle still does not work well. Mariam tries harder than before. It is
because her previous effort to fight Rasheed gets no result and she uses another
way.
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Rasheed’s behavior toward his family is not bearable. Mariam tries to do
another effort. Feeling that her children’s safety is threatened, in the end she decides
to end what Rasheed does to his family. Mariam decides to save her family from
Rasheed because he becomes wilder day by day.
And so Mariam raised the shovel high, raised it as high as she could, arching
it so it touched the small of her back. She turned it so the sharp edge was
vertical, and, as she did, it occurred to her that this was the first time that
she was deciding the course of her own life. And, with that, Mariam brought
down the shovel. This time, she gave it everything she had (p. 349).
Mariam takes a risk to hit Rasheed with all the strength that she has to save
Laila, Zalmai, and herself from Rasheed’s brutality. She hopes that Rasheed will be
unconscious for several times and she can move Laila and her children to a safer
place. Unfortunately, Rasheed is dead. Laila gets panic and she cannot stop crying.
Mariam tries to make Laila calm down and convinces her if everything will be okay.
She convinces Laila that they can live happily and peacefully because Rasheed is
dead, and he cannot torture them anymore. Now, they are free and they can continue
their life peacefully. Even though Mariam feels sad because of the death of her
husband, she does not show it to Laila. She is afraid that Laila becomes shocked
and feels afraid. She chooses to hide her feeling and pretends to be calm so Laila
does not feel worry.
Life full of fear is never pleasing. This feeling motivates Mariam to struggle.
She wants to live comfortably without fear. Maslow as cited in Petri (1981) says
that safety needs are the second primary human needs after physiological needs. It
is because safety needs are important for human to survive in their life. Without
something that can secure them, they will live insecurely.
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS
This chapter presents conclusions, implications, and suggestions. This first
section discusses the conclusions of the analysis in chapter four and the answers of
the research problems. The second section discusses the implications of the research
for language teaching and learning. The third section discusses the suggestions for
future researchers.
5.1 Conclusions
After analyzing the novel, the researcher has found several things that can
be concluded from this novel. Firstly, Mariam is the major character in this novel.
She becomes the point of attention from the beginning until the end of the story.
She also dominates all parts of the novel.
Secondly, by applying Murphy’s character and characterization theory
(1972), Mariam’s characteristics can be concluded as naive, unconfident, religious,
and tough. Besides that, Mariam can be described by her appearance. She is a young
woman who always uses a veil when she goes outside her kolba. She is not tall
enough and has long black hair.
Thirdly, Mariam’s efforts to struggle in her life are caused by her family’s
rejection of her, especially from her father’s family. She lacks of affection from her
father because they live separately since she was a baby. This situation makes
Mariam always asks Jalil to take care of her by living with him and his family in
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Herat. The strong motivation that drives Mariam to go to Herat by herself is to get
abundant of love from her father. Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1981),
to feel loved and accepted by others is one of human’s basic needs. Therefore, this
need cannot be separated from human life. Feeling loved and accepted by her father
and his family are two things that needed by Mariam.
Another reason that causes Mariam’s struggle is her husband’s tortures:
verbal abuses and physical abuses. At the beginning, Mariam is an obedient wife.
She never argues her husband. She also never opposes what her husband does. Her
tough and religious characteristics make Mariam survive to lives with her husband.
In the end, she realizes that what her husband does is very harmful to Mariam, Laila,
and his children. Subsequently, she has to try another effort by fighting back when
her husband starts to torture her. This is not only driven by her care for the people
around her, but also by her insecurity. Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
(1981), safety is one of the secondary human needs that has to be fulfilled after
physiological needs. Without feeling safety people will live with anxiety and it may
offend their socialization processes. Mariam wants her life and the people around
her to be happy without anxiety.
The peak of Mariam’s opposition is when Rasheed starts threatening her
safety by torturing Mariam wildly. She tries to defend herself from her husband by
picking a shovel and hitting her husband. Her husband falls down but he can stand
again after the hit. Influenced by fear that her husband might get revenge, Mariam
decides to hit her husband the second time. The second hit lands directly on
Rasheed’s head and kills him.
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5.2 Implications
Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns can be applied in teaching
and learning English, like in prose class, Cross-Cultural Understanding (CCU)
class, and reading class. It is because A Thousand Splendid Suns is an interesting
novel. Students can learn many things from this novel. Firstly, in a prose class the
lecturer can show the students about Mariam’s struggles for her life to get freedom
from her husband tortures. The students can also learn moral values and life values
that they get from the novel. Mariam’s problems are related to real-life experiences.
If the lecturer uses this novel as the material in their learning process, the students
are expected to improve their knowledge. It also helps the students to learn about
their life.
Secondly, A Thousand Splendid Suns can be applied as a source of Cross-
Cultural Understanding (CCU) class. It is because in Cross-Cultural Understanding
(CCU) class, the students learn about differences and similarities between cultures
in the world. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, the students can find and analyze
Afghanistan’s cultures, such as patriarchy law and women’s issues. In Afghanistan
they apply patriarchy law. Men have the higher position than women in every
aspects. This situation makes women in Afghanistan colonized and imprisoned
because their action is limited. They also cannot socialize freely with others who
are not their family. This situation can help students to understand the differences
between cultures. It is also related to women’s issue which happens in Afghanistan.
Thirdly, A Thousand Splendid Suns can be used as the material in reading
class. This novel has interesting storyline related to the real-life experiences which
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can motivate students to love reading. It can help the students to improve their
vocabulary skill. A Thousand Splendid Suns as a literary work provides many
vocabulary terms in literature field.
5.3 Suggestion
A Thousand Splendid Suns is written by Khaled Hosseini, one of the
novelists from America. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a novel that was written based
on women’s issue happening in Afghanistan at that time. This novel tells about
Mariam’s struggles in her life to get freedom from her husband’s torture and also
about Mariam’s struggles to get affection and attention from her father. Besides
that, the novel tells about women’s issue which happens in Afghanistan. Women’s
issue is one of many issues that accept special attention from human right activists.
Unconsciously, this issue also happens in our country, in some areas women
experiences injustice. Their rights like education, health, and dwelling place are not
fulfilled.
This novel is very highly recommended, especially for future research. It is
because A Thousand Splendid Suns is an interesting, inspiring and also entertaining
novel. Future researchers can analyze some points that have not been discusses by
the researcher in this research, such as Mariam’s personality changes and also they
can do a research about Afghanistan culture that influences on what Rasheed does
to his wives.
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REFERENCES
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Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage learning.
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Winston.
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Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns. (Undergraduate Thesis, Sanata
Dharma University) Retrieved on September 4, 2017, from
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Akhtar, N. (2008). Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. Internasional Journal
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Pearson Education, Inc.
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McKechnie, J. L. (1987). A webster’s dictionary. New York: Prentice Hall Press.
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Petri, H. L. (1981). Motivation: theory and research. Belmot: A Division of
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Appendix 1
Summary of A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini writes a novel entitled A Thousand Splendid Suns. It tells
about a young woman, Mariam, who experiences injustice and violence by people
around her. Mariam is an illegitimate daughter of Jalil and Nana. Jalil is one of the
wealthiest men in Herat while Nana works for Jalil as one of his housekeepers.
Nana and Jalil have a forbidden relationship until Jalil impregnates Nana. In the
beginning, Jalil can hide Nana’s pregnancy, but her belly becomes bigger. Jalil’s
in-laws and his wives cannot accept the reality. They ask Jalil to kick Nana and her
baby out from their house. Because of Jalil’s guilty feeling, he builds a small kolba
for Nana and their baby. Nana’s baby, Mariam, grows up becoming a kindhearted,
humble and sweet kid. However, her mother often does verbal tortures to her. Her
mother often nags and calls her harami-bastard, illegitimate, and unwanted girl.
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The story begins when Nana is dead and Mariam lives with her father’s
family in Herat. However, her stepmothers never like her existence. When Mariam
is 15 years old, her stepmothers force her to marry with one of their business
colleagues. Mariam rejects the offering, but in the end, she agrees with it because
no one defends her. Mariam’s stepmother’s colleague try to arrange a marriage
between her and Rasheed, a-forty-year-old shoemaker from Den-Mazang. After the
wedding ceremony, Rasheed brings Mariam to his house in Den-Mazang and they
live together. At the beginning of their life marriage, Rasheed treats Mariam as a
queen. He always buys some gifts for Mariam when he goes back home after
working. This situation changes after Mariam gets miscarriages. It happens not only
once, but six times. It makes Rasheed disappointed. He becomes a temperamental
person. Rasheed often tortures Mariam, physically and verbally. When Mariam
does something wrong, Rasheed will hit and slap her.
In April 1992, a bomb hits Fariba’s house. She is one of Mariam’s
neighbors. It makes Fariba and her husband died. The last survivor of the bomb
attack is Laila, their youngest daughter. Rasheed tries to help Laila and brings her
to his house. Mariam and Rasheed take care of her until she feels better. For many
times, a man named Abdul Sharif comes to Rasheed’s house. He admits himself as
Tariq’s friend, they meet in the hospital when Tariq had been hospitalized. Abdul
Sharif comes to bring a news for Laila. He says that Tariq has died of his injuries.
It makes Laila feel sad.
Since Laila lives in Rasheed’s and Mariam’s house, Rasheed’s behavior is
changing. Mariam thinks that Rasheed flirts Laila. She reminds her husband to stay
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away from Laila but Rasheed does not care. He asks Laila to marry him. Laila
agrees with it. She cannot refuse Rasheed because she knows that she is pregnant
and she does not want her child does not have a figure of a father. Mariam is
shocked with what Laila decides for. She protests to Rasheed and asks him that she
cannot accept Rasheed’s second marriage with Laila. A tense situation appears
between Mariam and Laila, especially when Laila says that she is pregnant and her
child is Rasheed's child. Rasheed is enthusiastic after he hears the good news from
Laila.
After the birth, Rasheed feels disappointed because Laila’s baby is a girl.
He blames Laila and starts to torture her. He does not like the sound of the baby
because it is very noisy. He becomes angry when he hears Aziza’s cry. In the end,
Rasheed knows that Aziza is not her daughter. Not only does he blame Laila, but
also he blames Mariam. He beats Mariam and tortures her wildly. Laila tries to help
Mariam with blocking Rasheed’s hand. What Laila does for Mariam makes the
tension between Mariam and her gone. They become friends to each other. Mariam
helps Laila in taking care of Aziza when Laila is busy to do the homework. On the
other hand, Laila helps Mariam to cook. Time by time, Laila has a plan to run away
from Rasheed’s house. She asks Mariam to join her and Aziza. In the beginning,
Mariam is not sure with Laila’s plan but she still joins them. Before they run away
from Rasheed, Laila steals some money from Rasheed’s wallet every day for a
supply while they travel. However, Laila and Mariam are betrayed by a man in the
bus station. It makes them get arrested by the police and returned to Rasheed.
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Rasheed is angry and tortures them. He imprisons Laila, Mariam, and also Aziza
for several days without food and water.
A few years later, Laila gives birth to a baby boy. His name is Zalmai.
Rasheed is very happy with the birth of Zalmai. Rasheed loves Zalmai so much
because he wants to have a son in his family. Zalmai was born when Taliban power
is risen in Afghanistan. The situation becomes harder when Taliban blocks the
access of information. Not only that, women also are not allowed to work. The
distribution of food is also difficult because everything that has come in to
Afghanistan should be checked by Taliban’s Armies. Because of that, many citizens
are starving at that time.
One day, Tariq suddenly appears in front of Laila’s house. She is shocked
when Tariq comes. Laila and Tariq are reunited. Tariq tells Laila about his
experience during in the refugee camp. Laila keeps silent to Tariq because she is
shy of her condition. In the afternoon, when Rasheed comes back home, Zalmai
tells him that there is a man who comes to the house to meet Laila. After hearing
about that, Rasheed starts to torture Laila, he beats Laila with his belt wildly.
Mariam comes to help Laila by beating Rasheed with a shovel and in the end
Rasheed is killed by the shovel. Mariam is imprisoned because of her actions and
Laila goes away with Tariq and both of her children to stay in Pakistan.
Adapted from: www.enotes.com/topics/thousand-splendid-suns#summary
summary-summary
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Appendix 2
Biography of Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini is an American novelist who was born in Kabul,
Afghanistan at 4 March 1965. His father is a diplomat for Afghanistan Foreign
Affairs Ministry in Kabul and his mother is a teacher at a girl’s high school, she
taught Persian language and History. In 1970, Hosseini and his family moved to
Iran because his father worked at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran. In 1976,
Hosseini’s father moved to Paris, France. His father also invited the family there.
Two years after they moved to Paris, Hosseini and his family went back to
Afghanistan, but they could not. It was caused by the invasion of the Soviet Army.
After the Soviet War begun in Afghanistan, Hosseini’s family sought political
asylum in the United States and in September 1980 they had a permanent residence
in San Jose, California.
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Hosseini graduated from Independent High School in San Jose in 1984 and
continued his study in Santa Clara University. He got his bachelor’s degree in
biology in 1988. The following year, Hosseini studied at the University of
California San Diego School of Medicine, he got his medical degree in 1993. He
finished his residency at Cedars-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles. Hosseini was
practicing as a doctor for eight years, between 1996 until 2004
In 2003 Hosseini published his first novel entitled The Kite Runner. He
wrote this novel since 2001 while practicing as a doctor. This novel becomes
Hosseini’s debut as an international bestseller writer, it is because this novel was
sold more than a hundred in weeks. This book is also adapted into a movie and it
was released in December 2007. In the following years, The Kite Runners was
adapted into a graphic novel. Hosseini’s second novel entitled A Thousand
Splendid Suns was released in 2007. Compared from the first novel, he used
Afghanistan as the background of the story in his novel. A Thousand Splendid Suns
was the first top charts on the New York Times bestseller list. The movie version
of this novel was directed by Scott Rudin. Hosseini’s third novel which has been
released recently entitled The Mountains Echoed. The third novel, written by
Hosseini, has a positive response from the readers around the world. Hosseini
became a volunteer for the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) in 2006. He worked in a humanitarian guidance for Afghanistan people.
In the following years, Hosseini was inspired to establish a nonprofit corporation
which works in humanitarian guidance for people of Afghanistan named The
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Khaled Hosseini Foundation. This corporation also focuses on education
opportunities and healthcare of women and children.
Adapted from: http://khaledhosseini.com/biography/
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