A Thousand Splendid Suns Quiz: Explore Khaled Hosseini's Novel

Study Notes

The Narrator's Birth

The narrator's birth at dawn is significant in Pashtun tradition, as it is believed to be a blessed time.
The narrator's father's cousin, Jehan Sher Khan Yousafzai, was disappointed by the birth of a girl, as is traditional in Pashtun culture.
In Pashtun culture, the birth of a daughter is traditionally met with disappointment, as boys are preferred for their ability to support families financially.
The narrator's birth was different from their parents' first child, as it was a girl, whereas the first child was a boy.
The narrator's father, Ziauddin, is different from most Pashtun men in that he valued his daughter's birth and encouraged her education.
In Pashtun tradition, a dawn birth is considered a good omen, signifying that the child will be blessed with good fortune.
Unlike traditional Pashtun men, the narrator's father was overjoyed by her birth, which went against the cultural norm.
The community's reaction to the narrator's birth was one of disappointment, which contrasted with the narrator's father's reaction.
In Pashtun culture, daughters are traditionally seen as a financial burden on families, and are often expected to prioritize domestic duties over education.

Description

Khaled Hosseini's 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' Quiz: Test your knowledge of the novel's opening and the birth of a daughter in a Pashtun village. See how much you remember from this poignant and powerful story set in Afghanistan.