Where is Freedom?

      The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without restraints. In the United States, our Freedom is protected by numerous laws and by our beloved Bill of Rights. Without these rights, as a country we would not be able to coincide with one another. While reading A Thousand Splendid Suns I have realize how grateful I am to be living in America. Many problems were faced during this novel such as domestic abuse, war,  and the need for individual freedom, these problems made me realize that the United States has progressed further than most countries in today's modern society.
         When a man or woman physically, emotionally, or verbally harms their partner or spouse it is called domestic abuse. Domestic abuse was constant throughout the novel A thousand Splendid Suns. Mariam  and Rasheed were the main examples of  this because Rasheed constantly took out his disappointment in Mariam with violent attacks. When Laila enters Rasheed's household, his violence became particularly towards Mariam because for him, she no longer held much importance. According to the National Abuse website, every nine seconds in the United States a woman is being beaten or assaulted. When a man controls a woman, her freedoms decrease and are stripped away.  Until the end of the novel, when Mariam finally killed Rasheed  was when she gained her independence back again.
      War can break or make a Nation. September 11, 2001 was a day that put the United States into shambles. This attack created multiple feelings that united us as a country. Pride is considered one of the most powerful emotions. Pride allowed the United States to fight and protect what is ours. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, war was the main setting. There was war between mother and daughter, war between husband and wife and lastly war in the country.  This war caused a lot of problems that drove families apart and took away every ounce of freedom a woman had left.
       The thought of not being allowed to wear what I want or see whom I want to see makes me incredibly frustrated.  Those women in Afghanistan have my respect because not being able to express yourself is the ultimate torture. Individual freedom is the greatest right to have. These women in Afghanistan were restricted by their husbands and the Taliban, and the only way to express themselves got them either killed or severely punished. In United States, profession has been made. Women used to have to honor their husbands and be good wives, today women can do anything we set our minds too.
            While reading A Thousands Splendid Suns, I became very proud to be part of the United States because we have adopted change. Without change we would be like Afghanistan and there would be no such thing as individual freedom. Freedom is such a prize possession and we should never take advantage of it.