Metaphor
Nana tells Mariam that she is nothing but a mugwort or weed that is ripped out and tossed aside to Jalil and his wives. Yet, Mariam is given food and water and a weed is ripped out of the ground. So here Nana doesn't really mean that Mariam is a weed.
Symbols
1.) A burqa is a piece of cloth that covers a women's face. The burqa that Mariam wears makes her feel comfortable because she believes that since no one can see her, she no longer has to worry about the shameful secrets of her past.
2.) When Mariam loses her first child, she ask Rasheed if she can have a proper burial for the baby to make her feel better. Rasheed refused because the child is dead so it doesn't matter. But Mariam wanted to do it because it represents a chance for her to honour a life that never was hers.
3.) When Laila was ready to give birth, she was taken to a hospital that no longer treats women. There is only one hospital that treats women in the entire city which has no clean water, no oxygen, no medications, and no electricity. This hospital symbolizes the low level upon which women have to exist.
4.) Aziza who is Laila's daughter keeps the prayers that Mariam had taught her in her mind. It symbolizes that Aziza had respect for Mariam and acknowledged her even when Mariam is not there.
2.) When Mariam loses her first child, she ask Rasheed if she can have a proper burial for the baby to make her feel better. Rasheed refused because the child is dead so it doesn't matter. But Mariam wanted to do it because it represents a chance for her to honour a life that never was hers.
3.) When Laila was ready to give birth, she was taken to a hospital that no longer treats women. There is only one hospital that treats women in the entire city which has no clean water, no oxygen, no medications, and no electricity. This hospital symbolizes the low level upon which women have to exist.
4.) Aziza who is Laila's daughter keeps the prayers that Mariam had taught her in her mind. It symbolizes that Aziza had respect for Mariam and acknowledged her even when Mariam is not there.
Mood
The mood is tragic, filled with sympathy and very sad. But at times, it is hopeful in the future like when Laila was able to come back into the country and honour Mariam's name and build the city her way.
Point of view
The point of view is written in third person from the perspective of the narrator.
Irony
1.) Jalil would raise Mariam high and swing her in the air, Nana would tell Mariam that one day jalil will surely drop her. This is ironic, because he leaves her when he refuses her to enter to his house and then married her to Rasheed.
2.) Once Mariam was married off to Rasheed, Mariam felt as if she is in a stranger's home and the space around her suffocates her. Ironically, over the next twenty-seven ears, Rasheed comes very close to doing exactly that to Mariam.
3.) Near the ending, Mariam calls Rasheed's name and then brings the shovel down against his temple. Mariam imagines he might see the truth of his actions now, and maybe there is room for change. Ironically, she has to ask herself, is it respect she sees in his eyes? or is it regret?
2.) Once Mariam was married off to Rasheed, Mariam felt as if she is in a stranger's home and the space around her suffocates her. Ironically, over the next twenty-seven ears, Rasheed comes very close to doing exactly that to Mariam.
3.) Near the ending, Mariam calls Rasheed's name and then brings the shovel down against his temple. Mariam imagines he might see the truth of his actions now, and maybe there is room for change. Ironically, she has to ask herself, is it respect she sees in his eyes? or is it regret?
Foreshadowing
1.) Nana told Mariam that Jalil told his wives that "I forced myself on him. That is was my fault. .... This is what it means to be a women in this world."(pg.7) This foreshadows the way that Rasheed will treat Mariam after they are married.
2.) Laila is shocked seeing Rasheed losing his two jobs and taunts him about it. He eventually turns on her, beating her and kicking her. This foreshadows how he eventually must be killed himself or he would have strangled her to death.
3.) Rasheed speaks to a doorman at a hotel, while Mariam stands to the side and watches. She thinks there is something vaguely familiar about the doorman. This foreshadows the fact that the doorman had told Laila his name was Abdul Sharif and he had witnessed Tariq's death.
2.) Laila is shocked seeing Rasheed losing his two jobs and taunts him about it. He eventually turns on her, beating her and kicking her. This foreshadows how he eventually must be killed himself or he would have strangled her to death.
3.) Rasheed speaks to a doorman at a hotel, while Mariam stands to the side and watches. She thinks there is something vaguely familiar about the doorman. This foreshadows the fact that the doorman had told Laila his name was Abdul Sharif and he had witnessed Tariq's death.