Annotation #2

Hosseini provides an image of Mariam fighting back in order to reach the doctor so she can tend to Laila. This describes Mariam in a very aggressive way but that aggression shows that she is willing to whatever it takes to help Laila. This image shows Mariam as almost a mother figure to Laila, doing the same actions that a mother would do to protect her daughter, even though Laila isn't her daughter but that shows just how much Mariam cares about Laila. Hosseini also uses the word "hissed" to show how desperately and how willing Mariam was to defend herself from anyone who stood in her way of helping Laila. Hosseini shows through Mariam's passion and determination to get help for Laila, that Afghans value family. They are willing to do whatever it takes to defend their families even though it may come off as oppressive in some cases. That's why honor may be important in their culture because they want to keep their family name intact and are willing to do whatever it takes to help others in their family. In this case, Laila is Mariam's only true family and so she is willing to go through thick and thin to protect her.