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The Political Situation in Kabul, Spring 1987

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The Political Situation in Kabul, Spring 1987

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Soviet conflicts started in 1979 (8 years long) fighting against the Mujahideen
"That's why our Soviet comrades came here in 1979. To lend their neighbour a hand. To help us defeat these brutes..." --- PAGE. 111

Laila's 2 brothers went to fight against the Soviets in 1980, nickname of Laila "Revolutionary Girl" symbolic of a new generation, (change of society perspective)

Education in Kabul was influenced by the Soviet Union (Afghanistan government had a close relationship with USSR)
"Everyone in the Soviet Union was happy and friendly, unlike America... and everyone in Afghanistan would be happy too" --- PAGE.111

After 8 years, USSR were losing because USA began to supply the Mujahideen weapons, and Muslims from all around the world were joining to fight against USSR
"after eight years of fighting, the Soviets were losing this war... came to Afghanistan to fight the jihad." --- PAGE.112

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Mariam and Rasheed’s marriage - A metaphor for Afghanistan at that time

-      Misogynistic state

-      Unstable, unsatisfied, one way relationship

-      Broken

-      Hopeful for a better future

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gender roles are reversed. Fariba is the manly figure in the family - "if Laila needed the lid of a candy jar forced opened, she had to go to mammy, which felt like a betrayal" - 109
• ‘forced open’ = powerful / physical strength. simile = “felt like a betrayal” because Hakim should stereotypically be the one with power but is the complete opposite.
"Mammy, ferocious, indomitable, pacing and ranting.” - 108 - she is the one with the power over everything the household, the family and her husband.
“mammy again didn’t show up like she was supposed to” - 113 - no responsibility or care over Laila. almost like fariba has disowned her? whereas, the mother is to do jobs like this but she couldn’t care for anyone expect for her sons, which may show her to be slightly bias.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Political Situation in Kabul, Spring 1987

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The Political Situation in Kabul, Spring 1987

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Soviet conflicts started in 1979 (8 years long)
"That's why our Soviet comrades came here in 1979. To lend their neighbour a hand. To help us defeat these brutes..." — PAGE.111

Laila's 2 brothers went to fight against the Soviets in 1980

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'she knew there was no Tariq sighting' - pg.107. Laila's first thought when she woke up is for her dear friend, Tariq --> Laila's close friend and lover (though she won't admit it here)

'She kicked at his shin...but his real one' pg. 107. Laila's playful personality, closeness with Tariq, contrast with gender inequality in Afghanistan society.

'Laila knew the routine...' pg. 108. Quarrels between her parents are common to young Laila --> used to the unbalance, unpredictable conflict between her once loving parents.

Laila clearly dislikes her mother, Fariba ('she had to go to Mammy, which felt like a betrayal' pg. 109) but takes her father, Hakim's side ('loving him for remember' pg. 110)

'Laila, Revolutionary Girl' pg.112. Laila is a symbol for change in society (e.g. inequality, conflict...)

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Minor character (Tariq, teacher, 3 school friends) 

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Minor character (Tariq, teacher, 3 school friends) 

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"The teacher's name was Shanzai, but, behind her back, the students called her Khala Rangmaal, Auntie Painter".
Coming from a underprivileged background, the teacher, she is used by Hosseini as the example of a strong women who's endured in Afghanistan and continues to believe in her own ideals, despite the political pressure imposed on her , for example by teacher about gender equality " She said women and men were equal in every way"

Tariq - A boy that grew up with Laila who's lost a leg on a landmine. He is different to most of the men represented in the novel. Even though a lot has happened to him ( the illness of his parents, his leg) he still hasn't changed into being like all the other men in Afghanistan.

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Hakim
- 'Babi was a small man... delicate hands, almost like a women's'
- 'his face burrowing into a book, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose'
- 'But if Laila needed the lid of a candy jar forced open, she had to go to Mammy, which felt like a betrayal.'
- Hakim is complete opposite of Rasheed, weak but educated.
- Modern Afghani man, focused around education (used to be a teacher).

Fariba
- 'Mammy had stood over Babi and said in a mincing way, that's your business, isn't it, cousin?'
- 'Mammy, ferocious, indomitable, pacing and ranting; Babi, sitting, looking sheepish and dazed, nodding obediently, waiting for the storm to pass.'
- Fariba is the "general" of the house, the one which wishes out orders.
- Reversal of gender roles, both Hakim and Fariba defy gender roles.
- Connected to the 'new Afghanistan' and moving away from traditional ideals by breaking gender stereotypes.

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Laila's father, Hakim is bookish and sensitive and does his best to give Laila an education, stressing to her that women should have every opportunity that men have.

Parallels between the two married couples — Rasheed and Mariam, and Fariba and Hakim

Fariba and Hakim seemed warm and affectionate towards one another. However, since Ahmed and Noor have left for war, Fariba has grown angry and distant, fighting with Hakim frequently about his bookish, absent-minded behavior.

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How the teacher "proudly told the class that she was the daughter of a poor peasant"

Quotes relating to politics on page 111,112 display how education enables women and young girls in Afghanistan to be more aware of the political state of their country. Without this education, they'll surely have no other means to gain insight into the political affairs.

Page 114- The dialogue in italics.
"Marriage can wait, educaiton cannot."
"Afghanistan is going to need you"
Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated, Laila. No change.

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Minor characters (Tariq, teacher, 3 school friends)

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Minor characters (Tariq, teacher, 3 school friends)