Character's+Influences+on+Mariam

Garrett

Question: Describe the influence(s) other characters have had on Mariam's life.

It is obvious from the very beginning of the story that Mariam has a rough upbringing, where she isn't considered to be very special, and even the first few pages, the reader is able to tell that Mariam does not get very much respect from her family. An example of this is when Mariam drops a piece of her mothers(Nana) Chinese tea set, and her mother calls her an "Heirloom breaking,clumsy little Harami". Harami meaning "Bastard Child",because her father Jalil had left the family. This is where I get the idea that Nana is the reason that Mariam grows up as tough and strong. It may be because Nana expressed "Tough Love" if you will, or it could be that she wanted to prove everyone wrong who doubted her.

Another character that plays a huge role in the influence of Mariam's personality and her life is her father "Jalil". There are many ways that he has made a huge impact on Mariam's life from beginning to end. 1. He wasn't there for her when she was a child,neither as a father or financially, but Mariam believes that he is a very good father, and cares about her, whereas Nana thinks that he is a bad man for betraying the family. The way I see it, is that he wasn't a good father, he wasn't there to protect his daughter and bring her up(making his wife and daughter live in a shack), and he made a decent living by owning a Movie Theater,so he would have been able to take care of them. 2. Mariam want's to go to a movie with him at his theater, and he rejects her, this is around the time when Mariam stays on the porch at his home in Herat, and when Mariam returns home, to find that Nana had killed herself.

Once Mariam moves in with her father,(even though his wives hate Mariam) she is forced to Marry Rasheed. After trying to conceive a child and failing by having a miscarriage, Rasheed begins to emotionally and physically abuse Mariam. The reason she tolerates it as much as she does is because she is strong from her rough childhood,in my opinion. As Rasheed and Mariam drift farther apart emotionally, Rasheed and Laila start seeing each other.

Another character who doesn't play much role in the influence of her actions, but is still an important character is Tariq, a cripple who marries Laila, but then moves to Pakistan. Later returns to be with Laila after she has already been with Rasheed and had a child.

Great work- good thoughts and examples! Just keep an eye on your editing.