Everybody has dreams and desires of their own. Some ask for materialistic things such as clothes, toys and jewelry. Others just want things that money cannot buy such as unconditional love and fulfillment. In the novel Thousand Splendid Suns, this idea is explored by Khaled Hosseini through the protagonist Mariam: a strong-willed woman who wants to have a family that would give her joy and fulfillment. However, she keeps looking for it in the wrong places but eventually an unlikely friendship with Laila comes and makes her realize that having true connections is the key in self fulfillment. Through Mariam's initial characterization, conflicts and eventual realization, Hosseini suggests that people will long for happiness and unconditional love from those closest to them. Unfortunately, seeking a connection with the wrong people may give them false hope and false relationships and will push them further away from their goals. In the end, individuals can seek fulfillment through unexpected and true relationships formed at the lowest point in one's life and this will give them the courage to fight against adversity and seek fulfillment.
Just like any child, Mariam started off as an innocent, naive and hopeful dreamer. But one thing separates her from other kids. She is a "harami" or a child born out of wedlock. Other children may ask for toys from their parents but for Mariam, she only wants things that money cannot buy: A family, unconditional love, acceptance and respect. Although she lives with her mother, Nana, in a peaceful kolba secluded from the busy streets of Herat, this is not enough for Mariam because her mother always reminds her of how unwanted of a bastard she is. Nana always tells Mariam about how Jalil, her father, tells "rich lies" and how "he betrayed [them], casting [them] out." She wants to pursue fulfillment that only a legitimate person could have.