The Innocence of Mariam

I think that Mariam is a character whose response to injustice forms the basis of the novel. Throughout her narrative, Mariam had been isolationist in her approach to the world. She embraced her mother's statement that all a woman needs is the ability to endure. Mariam had done just that. Hosseini describes this element as essential to her characterization: "The key word with Mariam is that she is isolated in every sense of the word. She is a woman who is detached from the day-to-day norms of human existence. Really, she just wants connection with another human being." Mariam is cut off from everyone else and initially does not embrace the transformative notion of justice in a world where injustice reigns supreme.
This changes through her association with Laila. It becomes critical when Rasheed is about to harm Laila. At this moment, Mariam becomes a character who responds in a significant way to injustice. This happens on dual levels. Internally, Mariam experiences a type of epiphany which reveals how much of her life she had given in vain to Rasheed. She recognizes that the way he abused her in their marriage represents the essence of injustice. On another level, Mariam's actions recognize that there is injustice in what Lalia is about to experience. Mariam does not assume the perspective that injustice can exist in the world. She understands that Laila is going to be harmed, possibly even killed. The idea of what it means to "act like a mother" becomes evident when Mariam attacks Rasheed. Her killing of Rasheed is a response to injustice. The lack of justice that women experience at the hands of the Taliban, as well as the absence of righteousness in the way that Rasheed has treated women, in general, is what motivates Mariam to take action. Mariam understands that the only way for justice to be evident is for action to be taken. She takes this action in the killing of Rasheed.
At the same time, Mariam comes to an understanding that justice