Day 5

A Thousand Splendid Suns Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    Why does Mariam feel she needs to turn herself in? Do you think she should have acted differently?

    Mariam feels guilty for taking Zalmai’s father from him, and she feels that killing another person, even in self-defense, is morally wrong. She believes that she is doing the right thing by submitting to execution—though she does not regret killing Rasheed in defense of Laila and her family, she believes that she must be punished for committing murder. Students may disagree with this decision, and argue that “justified” murder should not be punished.

  2. 2

    Why is Mariam content to die?

    Not only does she believe she is receiving what she deserves, she knows she...

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