Section 3: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Today's lesson

• Identify key events and turning points in Section 3.
• Analyze how Mariam and Laila's relationship develops.
• Explain how Hosseini presents power, oppression, resistance, friendship, and sacrifice.
• Use textual evidence to support interpretations of characters and themes.
• Communicate understanding of Mariam's character development.

Building contexts: Part A — What is choice?

For each situation, decide whether the person has a free choice, a limited choice, or almost no choice.

1. A student chooses which book to read for homework.
2. Someone chooses between two options, but both have serious consequences.
3. Someone is forced to do something because they are threatened.
4. Someone makes a decision because they believe it is the only way to protect their family.

Discuss with a partner

• What makes a decision a real choice?
• Can someone make a decision without complete freedom?
• Can a person have power with very little control over their situation?

Part B — Key concepts

Match each word to the correct definition.

1. Power
2. Control
3. Resistance
4. Oppression
5. Agency
6. Solidarity

• A. The ability to make decisions or take action for yourself.
• B. The act of opposing or fighting against something.
• C. The ability to influence people or situations.
• D. Unfair treatment or control of a group of people.
• E. The ability to direct or influence someone's actions.
• F. Support between people who share a difficulty or goal.

Part C — Apply the concepts

Think about what you already know about A Thousand Splendid Suns. Complete each statement.

• One way Rasheed has power is…
• One way Mariam has limited power is…
• One way Laila shows resistance is…
• One way Mariam and Laila support each other is…

Guided reading & analysis sheet

As you read, look for moments that show how Mariam and Laila's relationship changes. Don't just write what happens: ask what it reveals about the characters.

Mariam & Laila relationship timeline

Place the following stages in the correct order.

1. They begin to trust each other.
2. Mariam sees Laila as a threat.
3. They become allies.
4. They begin to understand each other's experiences.
5. They support each other against Rasheed.
6. They develop a relationship based on friendship and family.

Now add evidence: Choose three stages and give evidence from the novel.

Higher-order question

What causes Mariam and Laila to become closer? Consider shared suffering, motherhood, Rasheed, loneliness, trust, and survival.

Explain your answer:

Power map

Draw arrows between the characters: Rasheed · Mariam · Laila · Aziza · Zalmai. For every arrow, explain what kind of power that person has.

Types of power: Physical · Financial · Social · Political · Emotional · Information

Think deeper: power and agency

Does Mariam have power? Choose Yes, No, or Sometimes, and give evidence.

Does Laila have power? Choose Yes, No, or Sometimes, and give evidence.

Challenge: What is the difference between power and agency?

Mariam's character journey: Chapter 27 → Chapter 47

Beginning of Part Three

• Mariam is…
• Her relationship with Laila is…
• She has power over…
• She has little or no control over…

Middle of Part Three

• Mariam begins to…
• Her relationship with Laila changes because…

End of Part Three

• Mariam decides to…
• She does this because…
• This shows that Mariam has changed from… to…

Contemporary media formative assessment: “Mariam in 60 Seconds”

Create a 60-second TikTok/Instagram Reel-style literary analysis of Mariam's character development. You do not need to upload your video. Create a video, storyboard, series of slides, or mock social-media post.

1. Hook: “Mariam starts Part Three as __________, but by Chapter 47…”
2. Character development: Show Mariam at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end.
3. Textual evidence: Include at least two pieces of evidence from the novel. For each, explain what it shows.
4. Relationship with Laila: Explain why their relationship changes.
5. Final message: Finish: “Through Mariam, Hosseini shows that…”

Exit ticket

Before you leave, respond to each prompt:

1. One important change in Mariam is…
2. Evidence from the novel:
3. This evidence shows…
4. One question I have before Part Four: