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Shoemaker of Pashtun origin and "antagonist" of the novel. He marries Mariam after an agreement with Yalil. He represents the dominant male role in Afghan society at the time. He is an abuser who only looks after his own interests. He mocks Tariq and Laila's love, whom he jocularly calls.

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Rasheed is described as having a "big, square, ruddy face" with a "hooked nose" and "flushed cheeks that gave the impression of sly cheerfulness."

His eyes are "watery, bloodshot," and his front teeth are "crowded together like a gabled roof."

He has a "low hairline," "thick, coarse, salt-and-pepper hair," and a strong, imposing physique.

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DALL·E 2025-01-30 13.57.32 - A middle-aged Afghan man with a burly physique and a thick mustache, wearing traditional Afghan attire consisting of a long tunic (perahan tunban) and

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Rasheed is from a traditional, conservative family and was born in Kabul. Although not much is known about his early years, his attitudes and ideals indicate that he was brought up in a setting that valued male authority and rigid gender norms. His first wife and their son died before he married Mariam, therefore he has suffered a great deal of personal pain. He hardly ever discusses this loss in public, yet it seems to have had a significant impact on him.

Rasheed, who lives in a very patriarchal country, is a living example of the strict expectations that men should be the heads of their houses. He expects his wife to be submissive, modest, and restricted to the home, by traditional views on marriage and a woman's position. Because he places stringent restrictions on Mariam, such as wearing a burqa in public, his expectations of her mirror similar cultural norms. Through Rasheed, the book examines how cultural expectations affect men's views of power and control in relationships and restrict women's freedom.

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Rasheed, who is financially independent and a good shoemaker, comes across as a dependable and giving spouse at first. He gives Mariam presents and talks to her politely, giving the impression that he is warm. Beneath this, though, he is authoritarian and possessive, demanding complete compliance. He is domineering due to his rigid gender role beliefs and lack of empathy, which exacerbates the power disparity in their marriage and portends future strife.

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DALL·E 2025-01-30 13.55.34 - A middle-aged Afghan man with a stern expression, wearing traditional Afghan clothing, including a pakol hat and a long tunic. He has a rugged, weathe

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Rasheed initially treats Mariam with apparent affection, giving her small gifts and being courteous and even accommodating. But he soon reveals his domineering side by imposing stringent regulations, such making her wear a burqa. As his control over Mariam grows stronger, their marriage becomes strained and uncomfortable.

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Relationship with His Deceased Wife and Son

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Relationship with His Deceased Wife and Son

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Rasheed preserves his first wife and late son's possessions, a sign of unresolved grief, but he seldom ever talks about them. His expectations for Mariam appear to be shaped by his loss, as he reinforces his patriarchal worldview by wanting a woman who will bear him a son.

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Marriage to Mariam: Rasheed marries Mariam, highlighting the large age difference and the social pressure on her to be obedient to her husband.

First Impressions: At first glance, Rasheed seems polite and even giving, giving Mariam presents and showing her kindness. But he quickly starts to enforce his will, dictating stringent guidelines and making her wear a burqa, hinting at his domineering personality.

Exposing His True Nature: Over time, Rasheed's demeanor changes from being courteous to being controlling, exhibiting his rage and solidifying his control over Mariam. Her experience in the marriage is shaped by his harsh treatment and expectations.

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Rasheed's actions when he first meets Mariam stem from Afghan society's conventional patriarchal norms. He portrays himself as a protector and provider at the beginning of their marriage, but it soon becomes clear that he is in charge. He wants Mariam to be a submissive wife, and his early charm wanes as he places severe restrictions on her conduct, keeping her confined to his home and away from the outside world. His attitude toward her in their first week of dating shows that he believes men are superior and that women are there to serve men without question.

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Rasheed's attempt to regulate Mariam's look and public persona is symbolized by his imposition of the burqa. It serves as a technique to weaken her identity and perpetuate the power disparity in their relationship, in addition to being a physical covering. Rasheed's repressive actions further imprison Mariam, who already feels abandoned and unloved, by making her silent and obedient so she can't voice her desires or claim her own identity.

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"A man's house is his castle."

Rasheed's strong adherence to the conventional patriarchal ideals that guide his relationship with Mariam is seen in this comment. By saying this, he establishes his dominance over the home, suggesting that he is in charge and that his word is final.

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“What did I say about the crying? Mariam. What did I say to you about the crying?"

This comment demonstrates Rasheed's brutality and emotional dominance over Mariam. He expects her to repress her feelings and act in a way that suits him, so he frequently chastises her for being vulnerable.

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"But I'm a different breed of man, Mariam. Where I come from, one wrong look, one improper word, and blood is spilled. Where I come from, a woman's face is her husband's business only."

This statement by Rasheed perfectly captures his violent and possessive behavior with Mariam. He establishes a risky kind of ownership over a woman when he says that he is exclusively responsible for her behavior and looks.

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Legacy in the Story: Rasheed's personality has a big influence on how the book ends. Mariam gives her life to protect Laila as a result of his abuse. His brutality finally brings him to ruin, thereby reaffirming the notion that violence and patriarchal authority can be destructive.

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Personal Perspective: Rasheed's portrayal of the destructive effects of social conventions is what most strikes me about him. Even while he is unquestionably harsh, his actions are influenced by ingrained misogyny. His character demonstrates the negative impacts of strict gender norms and the repercussions of a culture that promotes aggression and control, even though I don't admire him.

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A Thousand Splendid Suns: Character Analysis of Rasheed | A Thousand Splendid Suns Book Summary & Study Guide | CliffsNotes. (n.d.). https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/t/a-thousand-splendid-suns/character-list-and-analysis/rasheed

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 7). A thousand splendid suns. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thousand_Splendid_Suns

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (GPT-4) https://chat.openai.com.

Book: A thousand splendid suns