Mariam's mom tells her "Women like us. We endure. It's all we have".
How does this sentiment influence Mariam's life?
How do Mariam and Laila endure?

Because of the conditions that Mariam is born into (being a "harami", losing her mother at a young age then turning around and being forced into marriage, her bullying husband, the war), she learns to tolerate her situation and it eventually makes her a strong woman. Mariam and Laila endure their shared situation by eventually forming a strong mother/daughter type bond.

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"I learned the hard way that they all say things you want to hear." ~ Sara Bareilles

Mariam never really had a chance. Even as a child she was taught that she was basically not important and that she had few options. I can't imagine living with so little hope for my future. I think even though her mother told her that, she continued to be disappointed, first when she was sent to Rasheed, then as he turned out to be an abusive husband. All she really COULD do was endure....the arranged marriage, the abuse, the introduction of a new, younger, more desirable wife...just endure. Again...this life style makes me so sad to know there are so many people going through life just trying to "endure".

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I agree with aliadam. It makes me sad there are woman in this world in 2008 who just endure.

I think she always had hope, but was always pushed down by circumstances and people. When Leila and Miriam tried to get away, that showed hope, but then they never tried again, but just endured. Hope seemed to leave them then - at least for awhile.

Sorry I missed this girls. I just rememebered this morning that I needed to check in to see about this discussion. I am headed out for a little while this morning. But maybe this afternoon I will have time to sit down and respond, if you all don't mind me adding my two cents that is.

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I've grown certain that the root of all fear is that we've been forced to deny who we are. ~ Frances Moore Lappe

Great to see you, Stacey! We miss you!