Mariam Flashcards
Determined, capable woman; accepts traditional role
1
Q
chapter 1
“Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.”
Nana
A
- Nana is trying to prepare Mariam for the harsh reality of adulthood as a woman in Afghanistan
- Repitition of “always” - there is no escape from the injustice that women face
- the simile foreshadows Mariam’s death at the end of the novel
2
Q
chapter 1
“a harami was an unwanted thing […] an illigitemate person”
A
- Harami = bastard
- Mariam is unwanted by her own mother but not nessesarily unloved
- “thing” - dehumanising
3
Q
chapter 3
“Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. Do you understand?”
Nana
A
- Nana is trying to prepare Mariam for the life she will inevitably face
- “Do you understand?” - Rhetorical question, Mariam may not understand yet but she will have to “endure” at some point in her life
4
Q
chapter 6
“For the first time, Mariam could hear [Jalil] with Nana’s ears.”
A
- Mariam feels betrayed by her father
5
Q
LACNTPN, AMAFAFAW.
A
“Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.” - Nana
6
Q
AHWAUT […] AIP
A
“a harami was an unwanted thing […] an illigitemate person” - Narrator
7
Q
WLU. WE. IAWH. DYU?
A
“Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have. Do you understand?” - Nana
8
Q
FTFT, MCHJWNE
A
“For the first time, Mariam could hear [Jalil] with Nana’s ears.” - Narrator
