~Blog post #1~
Topic H
April 24, 2015
Michelle Deme
From the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Mohsen is one of the more sympathetic characters. However, during the stoning, he seemed to be no different than the others. Suddenly, Mohsen heard a commotion and remembered that an execution was to take that place day. He didn't understand why, but he followed the crowd and actually took part in the stoning. The prostitute was placed in a large pit, and they filled it with rock up to her knees. Soon after, the crowd began throwing stones at the women. For reasons Mohsen didn't really understand, Mohsen had also picked up rocks. In a swift motion, he threw three rocks. Two of them missed, however the third one hit her straight in the face and had caused a gash on her head. Mohsen felt a sense of accomplishment with the stoning. However, he was deeply stressed after that event. "Since then I can't stop looking at my hands, and I don't recognize them anymore." The stoning depicts how society under the Taliban is. It was very easy for Mohsen to submit to peer pressure and partake in it without understanding what he was doing. This was unlike him and caused him a lot of anxiety.
After the reading the first four chapters, this aspect of Mohsen’s character left me feeling conflicted. When I read a book, I immediately search for a protagonist and an antagonist. After witnessing both Mohsen and Atiq’s participation in the stoning of the prostitute, I was not sure who was going to become the “good guy” in the book. I felt myself leaning toward Mohsen because he is a likable character. He treats his wife like every wife wishes to be and should be treated. Even though he shows genuine remorse for his actions when talking to Zunaira, participation in such a heinous action is not easily excusable to most readers. I am interested to see how his role in the book plays out in the nest few chapters.
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