Synthesis Paragraph

       Khaled Hosseini uses a variety of literary devices such as diction, imagery and metaphors in order to communicate social issues in Afghanistan for instance, the rigid social structure of that the Afghan culture shaped, the consequences of war and isolationism. Hosseini chooses this choice of words carefully often including Islamic vocabulary. Using Islamic vocabulary within the text gives the reader both a sense of a different culture aside from the American society and adds a connotation to the word that when translating the word into English would not have. Words such as harami which means a child born out of wedlock demonstrates to the reader that according to Afghan cultures, one’s social status has already been defined for them since birth. Hosseini also uses foil to demonstrate the differences of the caste system in the Afghan society. Where Mariam is compared to "snow" resembling winter which is the most harshest and coldest season, Laila is compared to "flowers" resembling the season of spring where nature blossoms and gives birth resembling birth or a new beginning. Mariam was born out of wedlock and thus branded as an outcast of the society. This shows Mariam's status within society through "snow" as below society where Laila was born in a family filled with love resembling "flower." Contrasting the two characters, the reader is able to understand the differences of each caste in the society and how many rights one is able to gain through their status in society. A factor that is able to change one's status is education. Education gives one an exception to move up in social status. One’s social status can derive from their previous generation and this rigid caste system defines one’s identity which they are unable to escape from showing the limits and how one is restrained in an Afghan society.
       Imagery is used in the novel to convey the brutality of war and the consequences that follow. Hosseini describes how Kabul has gone through repeating changes in government yet to those who have lived through a life full of war begins to accept war as a part of their own life. Hosseini describes war and the consequences that follow as an endless cycle that continuously repeats. War is continuous causing long term negative affects not only on the people but the environment as well. War is not only the physical fight between mankind but the competition of one’s greed. Hosseini depicts a barren field as life further indicating that war is able to deprive life completely of hopes and dreams. Hosseini uses metaphors to show that one consequence of war is isolationism. Throughout life one experiences a variety of emotions and the character Mariam chooses to isolate herself from the rest of the world by rejecting all kinds of emotions especially positive emotions. The reader is able to understand Mariam's rejection towards the world and its blessings including love and happiness when Laila. Mariam compares life to a barren plain while love and hope are compared to poisonous flowers thus saying at first love and hope may seem to generate happiness, but they are harmful and will be able to change happiness to negative. As Mariam “uproots” these “flowers” (255) from her life, she chooses to live a life void of any struggle and emotions isolating herself from the whole world.