Links between Tess of the d’Urbervilles and A Thousand Splendid Suns
Catherine Ralph * The abuse of an older man Rasheed and Alec they both force themselves upon Mariam and Tess when they’re only 15/16 years old.

* Consequences of the above both Tess and Mariam are pregnant and both of their babies die (Tess’s from illness just after he’s born and Mariam has a miscarriage)

* Both novels have a contrast of the ‘good’ and ‘evil’ characters Tess: Alec and Angel – ATSS: Rasheed and Alec. Laila marries Rasheed (evil) and also marries Tariq (good). Tess is Alec’s mistress (evil) and marries Angel (good).

* The death of the ‘main’ character Tess kills Alec and then gets hanged Mariam kills Rasheed then gets executed.

* The ‘good’ love interest fleeing to another country Tariq flees to Afghanistan and Angel flees to Brazil.

* A major death in the family Tess’s father and Mariam’s mother.

* Conflict Tess: between classes in the same county – ATSS: same ethnic group of people

* Class society Tess: Angel (upper class) and Tess (lower class) – ATSS: Jalil (upper class) and Mariam/Nana (lower class).

* ‘Men’s society’ Tess: Angel with the prostitute in London – ATSS: Rasheed had several wives

Similarities/comparisons with A Thousand Splendid Suns and Tess of the d’Urbervilles * Women in society * strong male characters * the loss of a baby * the loss of a parent * rape * young female characters * poor backgrounds * forced into marriage * murder * the death of the ‘main’ character * the ‘main’ character murdering other characters * the female characters always being the ones that struggle * unsupportive parents * independent females * the females going against others * pride

Molly Harris
Rudi Small
Women in society: *