Reading Response 9

I want to analyze these lines from Taz’s passage of “A Thousand Splendid Suns”; “Nana said, “Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.” I thought that the framing of Nana’s baby dad’s decision to frame her as a culprit as a “compass needle” was very interesting. The speaker frames men’s disregard for women/use of power in the patriarchy (in this context, when deflecting blame/accusing a woman of something) as something instinctual or automatic or machine-like. The inclusion of these lines by the author help to illustrate the oppressive patriarchal society which Nana and Miriam are subject to through metaphor. In terms of women’s bodies, these lines illustrate how women are the first choice victim of men when it comes not only to deflection of blame, but also abusive power dynamics, especially those involving sex/pregnancy and thus dishonor. Men are never to be dishonored, but women are seen as easily disposable. Jalil has multiple wives, but he still dishonors himself and his families by committing adultery with a housekeeper. He has many housekeepers, so he can send Nana away and find a new one, never having to face the consequences for his dishonor, while she must bear the responsibility of a child and the consequences of the dishonor, showing how Jalil’s power and status as a wealthy man enables him to continue his life as normal, while Nana must bear the burden of responsibility and exile.