Aziza and Zalmai
"Aziza had turned into a calm, pensive little girl, with a demeanor that to Laila seemed beyond her six years...even-tempered peacemaker to her volatile sibling" (297)
Aziza and Zalmai, Laila’s children, offer purpose to Laila and salvation to Mariam. Laila is determined to escape Rasheed’s abuse for their sakes and secure their future. For the first time, Mariam finds the family and sense of belonging she always longed for in Laila and her children. Aziza offers a second chance at happiness for Mariam, who “marveled how, after all these years of rattling loose, she had found in this small creature the first true connection in her life of false, failed connections” (252). For both women, the children give them the ability to reflect on the past and find forgiveness. Mariam equates her motherly feelings for Laila with that of Nana and observes Zalmai’s adoration of his father, which parallels her own misguided devotion to Jalil. Gaining new understanding and learning from Aziza's "vast capacity for forgiveness," Mariam and Laila move past their feelings of guilt and resentment. Through the children, Mariam and Laila obtain the strength to persevere and shape their futures.
Aziza and Zalmai, Laila’s children, offer purpose to Laila and salvation to Mariam. Laila is determined to escape Rasheed’s abuse for their sakes and secure their future. For the first time, Mariam finds the family and sense of belonging she always longed for in Laila and her children. Aziza offers a second chance at happiness for Mariam, who “marveled how, after all these years of rattling loose, she had found in this small creature the first true connection in her life of false, failed connections” (252). For both women, the children give them the ability to reflect on the past and find forgiveness. Mariam equates her motherly feelings for Laila with that of Nana and observes Zalmai’s adoration of his father, which parallels her own misguided devotion to Jalil. Gaining new understanding and learning from Aziza's "vast capacity for forgiveness," Mariam and Laila move past their feelings of guilt and resentment. Through the children, Mariam and Laila obtain the strength to persevere and shape their futures.