A thousand splendid suns, written by Khaled Hosseini, explores different themes throughout the novel. Hosseini explores the causes and effects each woman in the novel go through within each relationship. Reflecting the contextual problems at time, with the USSR and the Taliban emerging with their tyrannical force. The experience each women go through reflects these issues, further emphasising the realism expressed throughout the novel. Relationships, without a doubt are important when building ones self. Especially ones formed during adolescence. Mother daughter relations, are presented through Laila and mammy and Mariam and Nana in Hosseini's Novel. Hosseini, deliberately introduces Mariam and Nanas relationship first to highlight the importance of Mother and Daughter relations. Their relationship, juxtaposes the modern contemporary views on what a mother and daughter relationship should be . From the get go, Nana calls Mariam a 'Harami' which is an Afghan word that translates to one being 'illegitimate'. Hosseini's choice in using Afghan words such as 'Harami' in his English novel is a deliberate act of emphasising the realism which Hosseini aims to fulfil in the novel. Contextually, being an 'Harami' equated to your 'only sin was being born' . Being born out of wedlock was extremely looked down upon within the extremely conservative society Afghanistan was. With their views on life mostly deriving from Islam and the Quran. As a result, being a 'Harami' from such a young age meant that Mariam's views on herself were undermined due to Nanas use of harsh language on such a young child which stemmed from the societal views of being born out of wedlock. Comparatively, the second form of mother daughter relations we are introduces to is Laila and Mammy's. Similarly, Laila is exposed to some form of 'resentment' from Mammy just like how Nana is towards towards Laila. Mammy, may not be as harsh on Laila like how Nana is towards Mariam, but the relationship also juxtaposes the contemporary views on mother daughter relations, which Hosseini's western audience might have. Following the unfortunate death of Laila's brothers , Mammy changes and almost neglects her motherly duties except her 'five daily namaz prayers'. This, highlights the importance of religion within Afghanistan. Religion is so important that not even Mammy can neglect her daily prayers. Both Mammy and Nana have dominating personas to the point where their actions, have an affect on other characters in the novel. Mammy's 'neglect' for Laila causes Laila to be more independent and a young girl that is able to think for herself. Nana's harsh words on Mariam, is arguably the reason why Mariam has such low views of herself. Therefore, highlighting the importance of mother and daughter relations in A Thousand Splendid Suns. The second parental relation expressed in A thousand Splendid Suns, is the paternal relations, Mariam relation with Jalil and Laila's relation with Babi. Both relationships having an effect on both women. Arguably, Mariam's relationship with Jalil is based on his 'rich lies'. Telling Mariam countless lies to make himself look better. His physical description presents him as almost God Like, but in reality he has not one omni quality about him. His only way of showing benevolence to Mariam is through the lies he tells, making him relatively weak and a man that has no 'dill'. To analyse, on the quote stated previously, it is a phrase nana tells to Mariam as she describes to Mariam to harsh reality of who Jalil really is to Mariam. ' A rich man telling rich lies'. The repetition of the words 'rich' further emphasise how much money Jalil has, yet he chooses to neglect Mariam in the 'Kolba' and tell her an abundance of lies which Mariam naively believes. On the other hand, Hakeem, Laila's father does no such thing. Even though, Hakeem us described as being more feminine, to the point where he is even called a 'sissy'. During the patriarchal society of Afghanistan, this description of Hakeem portrays him to be a weak man when in reality he is strong and especially stronger than Jalil who is a coward and hides behind his own lies. Hakeem, is real with Laila and makes her aware of reality telling her to that 'society has no chance of success if their women are uneducated'. Encouraging her to become educated and face the real world. When in comparison, Jalil hides Mariam and does not encourage her to go out into the real world. If it were up to him, Mariam would live and die in the 'Kolba' all because he is ashamed of her just because she is a 'Harami'. Therefore the difference in the two relations is bright. With, Hakeem being a father that supports Laila when all Jalil does tell 'rich lies'. The difference in paternal figures will evidently shape these two girls to grow up with different views on the world and life as a whole. The final relationships being explored is Laila and Tariq's and Mariam and Rasheed's relationship. Laila and Tariq's relationship is a bond between to young people that is Hosseini's way of telling the audience, that despite the horror that is taking place, happiness can still prevail. Both equally needing each other and thriving of each others presence. Even when apart, Laila is 'hungry for the sight of her friend Tariq' The use of the adjective 'hungry' reiterates Laila's strong desire for him. Contrastingly, Mariam's 'hunger' for Rasheed is non-existent instead she is more appalled by him. For example on their wedding day 'Mariam smelled him before she saw him'. The 'smell' not being something nice but instead a stench that is almost repulsive that would for sure not make anyone 'hungry for the sight' of Rasheed. Hosseini, also portrays both sexual experiences with each partner differently. Laila and Tariq's being more delicate and reflects how strong their affection for one another is. Whilst Mariam and Rasheed's being forceful and grotesque. Embodying, the abuse most women in Afghanistan are subject to. As a result of the misogynistic views Afghanistan upholds, women are nothing but 'bodies' that must endure the countless abuse and hardship from men if not physically but mentally as well. Mariam and Rasheed's sexual encounter is long and is filled with grotesque language such as the air between them smelled of 'tobacco and onions'. The vivid description, represents how traumatic that experience was for Mariam, with that memory being engrained in her brain for time to come. However, Tariq and Laila's sexual experience is short but sweet with Laila scrambling to recover whatever memories she can of that day. Therefore, the language used in each relationship differs, reflecting the extent of affection each person holds for the other. With Rasheed embodying the classic misogynistic man within patriarchal Afghanistan and Tariq the sweet young man who is a form of happiness towards Laila. Each relationship having effects on both women. To Conclude, Hossieni explores different relationships which have an effect on both protagonists, Laila and Mariam. If not parental but a relationship that depicts love and abuse that both characters endure throughout the Novel. Thus emphasising the realism Hosseini expresses in his Novel