Tesmond, Julia
Period 3
Summer Reading Assignment
1. At the start of both A Thousand Splendid Suns and Pride and Prejudice, the novels’ protagonists hold a great deal of respect for their fathers. Mariam, born out of wedlock, lives with her mother and only sees her father Jalil once every week. Despite this, Jalil is Mariam’s hero for most of her adolescence, his visits being “all smiles and gifts and endearments…and, for this, Mariam loved Jalil.” (Hosseini, Khaled. "Chapter 1." A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York: Riverhead, 2007. 4-6. Print.) This depiction of Jalil as a type of savior in the beginning of the novel juxtaposed with his real disposition as a selfish man showcases the change in Mariam’s perception of the world. In a similar fashion, Mr. Bennet of Pride and Prejudice is held in high esteem though his shortcomings,
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When Lydia, his youngest daughter runs away to elope he responds with “all the appearance of his usual philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in the habit of saying.” (Austen, Jane. "Chapter 48." Pride and Prejudice. New York: Modern Library, 1995. N. pag. Print.). However, while this neglectful nature proves a hindrance to four of his daughters, it creates an independent spirit in Elizabeth, a rare trait for a woman in 19th century England. The temperaments of both Jalil and Mr. Bennet, though considered good-natured, are extremely neglectful to their daughters and this impacts value system the protagonists have, with Elizabeth valuing independence and rational thought, and with Mariam
2. Though vastly different in subject matter and setting, both A Thousand Splendid Suns and Pride and Prejudice have similarities in the tone towards their respective conclusions. Jane Austen finishes