The Discrimination of Women
The discrimination of women is something that continues for the women in Afghanistan even today. Women are beat, murdered, humiliated, and have their own children taken away in most Muslim countries. Mariam and Laila were only two women in the story who were abused by their husbands.
Loyalty
Loyalty plays a significant role in this novel. Mariam remains loyal to her father even when he doesn't make her a priority. She loves her dad more than life itself and he barely makes time for her a few times a month. It is Mariam and Laila's loyalty to their children that gives them strength to persevere through the constant abuse by their husbands. Mariam and Laila also have great loyalty and devotion to each other by helping each other cope with the causes of an abusive husband.