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A Thousand Splendid Suns study guide ch. 11-20

Chapter 11

  1. Where does Rasheed take Mariam?
  1. How did Mariam feel about wearing the burqa?
  1. What does Mariam eat for the first time?
  1. Describe Chicken Street?
  1. Describe the women in this area?

Chapter 12

  1. Describe the change in mood in the fall of 1974?
  1. How does the mood change with the Eid?
  1. What does Mariam remember about her past during this time?
  1. What does Mariam find in Rasheed’s room?

Chapter 13

  1. Why does Rasheed protect Mariam?
  1. What was Rasheed doing in the toolshed?
  1. What does Mariam wish Rasheed would not say?
  1. What happened to Mariam at the bathhouse?

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Mariam so sad?
  1. Why does Mariam resent the other women in town?
  1. What are some of Mariam’s thoughts and feelings as she thinks about the loss of the baby?
  1. What do Mariam and Rasheed disagree about?

Chapter 15

  1. What happens in April 1978 in Kabul?
  1. What does Mariam want to know about the event?
  1. Why does Mariam live in fear?
  1. What happens to Mariam in the four years since the bathhouse?
  1. Why is Rasheed at the window on April 27th?
  1. What happened to Daoud Khan and his family?
  1. What happens in Fariba’s family?
  1. What cruel thing does Rasheed do to Mariam?

PART TWO

*There is a shift in time from Part 1 (chapter 15) and Part 2 (chapter 16).

*Additionally, the story focuses on another major character, Laila. In chapter 15, they mention Fariba gives birth to Laila.

Chapter 16

  1. How many years have passed?
  1. Who is Laila’s best friend?
  1. Why is Laila upset with Tariq?
  1. Describe Laila.
  1. What other details are given in the text about Laila’s parents?
  1. What do we find out about Laila’s brothers?
  1. Describe the person Laila and her father see when they are biking together?
  1. What does Laila’s teacher say about women covering their heads?
  1. What political views does the teacher share with the class?
  1. What words are forbidden by the teacher?
  1. Why is Laila called Revolutionary girl?
  1. Who are Laila’s girlfriends?

Chapter 17

1. Describe the boy holding a gun to Laila. What happens to Laila?

2. What happens on Laila’s mother’s (called Mammy) good days?

3. What did Mammy (also known as Fariba) do when the ladies came over?

4. Why does Laila feel left out when the women discuss her brothers?

  1. What happens on Mammy’s bad days?

Chapter 18-20

  1. What does Laila feel is one of the most challenging hardships for a person?
  1. What happened to Tariq in 1981 when he was five?
  1. How does Laila know Tariq is home?
  1. Why does Laila like Tariq’s house and family?
  1. There are tensions between different groups in Afganistan. What does Tariq’s father say is the danger in these labels, including Pashtuns and Tajiks?
  1. Why does Khadim never bother Laila again?
  1. What does Babi say the communists are doing right?
  1. What do you predict the news might be?

Chapter 19

  1. What news does the stranger bring?
  1. Where do Laila and Mariam meet?
  1. Who does Laila consider her true brother?

Chapter 20

  1. Why does Mammy (Fariba) have so many ailments?
  1. What is the only topic Fariba discusses with Laila?
  1. What is Laila’s biggest worry about her mother?