The Mood-Swings of Kabul

The Mood-Swings of Kabul

~Blog Post #3~

Topic B 

May 14, 2015

Elizabeth Erickson

The introduction of Zunaira and Mohsen's relationship in The Swallows of Kabul leaves an adorable, warm impression of the two, and especially of Zunaira's willingness to work as a team and be together through the hard times. Unfortunately, this is not an impression that was meant to last long. Zunaira goes through some major changes in her overall attitude toward Mohsen, after her panic attack that was fueled by the trip they took together outside. She switches from wanting to be with him through the tough times, to wanting nothing to do with him. In chapter 3 she leans into his touching her face, and says to him, "we're together so we can support each other. It's up to us, to us alone, to keep hope alive" (35). But chapter 10 comes along and her feelings have significantly changed, "I've told you a hundred times not to touch me... I don't ever want to see you again, Mohsen Ramat!" (129). The loving relationship we see in the beginning becomes an abusive, even fatal one, because of Zunaira's change of heart. Her "suffocating" in her Burqa became a problem that she had with him, not with the Taliban. I believe this is because Mohsen was an accessible outlet for her anger and resentment, whereas she had no power against the Taliban. It makes me sad that the environment and situation that these characters face turn them against each other, when the real problem is the real oppressor: the Taliban.