A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS: ONLINE NOTES

CHAPTER 42: Laila

Summary

On a cool morning in April 2001, Laila helps Aziza pack all the things she owns, which is enough to fill a small paper bag. She is leaving for an orphanage on Rasheed’s orders, because there is not enough food for everyone. It is a few days after Laila heard that Massoud had gone to France to speak to the European Parliament and warn the west of the terrorist camps in Afghanistan. He begs them to help him fight the Taliban. A month before, Laila had learned that the Taliban had planted TNT in the crevices of the Buddhas in Bamiyan and blew them up as objects of idolatry and sin. People all over the world begged the Talban not to commit this crime for reasons of history and culture, but they refused and the beautiful statues where Laila, Tariq, and Babi had picnicked are destroyed. However, Laila is numb to it. How can she care about statues when her life is crumbling?

Now Laila is forced to send her daughter away. She tells Aziza that she is going to special school where the children eat, sleep and don’t come home after class. Of course, Laila pelts her mother with questions, but Laila is able to reassure her with an answer for each one. When they all arrive at the orphanage, Rasheed fishes a stick of gum from his pocket and hands it to Aziza with a stiff, magnanimous air. Laila marvels at Aziza’s grace as she accepts this “gift.” She has a vast capacity for forgiveness. When Aziza is led away, Zalmai begins wailing and crying. However, Rasheed takes his attention away from his sister by pointing out an organ grinder and his monkey. The three women continue on alone. Laila reminds Aziza that if she is questioned about her father, she is to say the Mujahideen killed him. Laila also reminds her that this is only for a little while until her father finds work. She promises her little girl that if it kills her, she will come to see her.

They go into the office of the orphanage director, passing through corridors where there are children in poor condition. The longer they are there, the more apprehensive Aziza becomes. So the director sends her out with Mariam to calm her down. He is a man who behind his faint smile to be troubled and wounded, disappointment and...........

Notes

This chapter shows the agony mothers face under the Taliban. They often have to give up their children to orphanages, because the are...........

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A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: Free BookNotes Summary

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