ANALYSIS: TERRORISM: The novel provides an interesting insight into the lives of those left behind - with some characters voicing the opinion that Amin and the family left behind are just as much a victim as those who died in the blast. There is a definitive stigma associated with those with links to terrorism however intangible and how Amin is massively affected by such prejudice which ruins his reputation by association to a suicide bomber. The horrific things people do to him out of fear and blind hatred as a result of Sihem's actions and how she was indifferent to the reciprocal impact on her husband and people immediately believe them equally minded without verification.,

The starkness of the untouchability of the sheikh at the very beginning bestowed by his 'quasi divinity' only to be brought back down to earth by the necessity for 'bulletproof' glass in his vehicle nullifies his pretence at godly impenetrability due to his mortal vulnerability. Cohesion and clarification gained as the scene is mirrored as the final scene.

The reasoning behind her suicide is because children deserve a country as she believes Israel isn’t one - essentially led by Patriotism and her belief in a cause.

People genuinely believe in such methods - Yasser - the shiekh - extremism is everywhere with the people who conform to its ideals and methods feeling genuine pride for people like Sihem’s actions.  To the people of Bethlehem and her encouragers, she is a martyr - regardless of the devastation she left behind.  Psychological complexity of being able to ‘steal her mind’.

PRETENCE:

Amin maintains, for much of the book, this projection of his wife and her utter benevolence and innocence only to be shattered along with the illusion of a blissful idyllic marriage - his memory is at odds with his wife’s actions. He goes through nostalgic analepsis but his memory of his personal characterisation of his wife is incongruous with the malice of her actions. He martyred his wife - eulogised her instead of analysing her possible flaws which is why he is floored by her confession and the truth. Clearly he wore rose tinted glasses - naive to her suffering, willing only to see the presented alter ego - pedastalising her as though she were always happy and yet he is utterly blindsided by a woman he placed beyond reproach. Furthermore - the additionally incongruous feminine dynamic of a female suicide bomber is makes it even more inconceivable for Amin.

GRIEF:

He experiences physical manifestations/triggers of grief - odd how physical objects (e.g their house) can suddenly become sinister and unwelcoming based on the events in the lives of their inhabitants. The reader can really grasp the overwhelming feeling of confusion at the senseless and unexpected act. A stream of consciousness technique is effectively employed during his drunken stupor to display his confoundedness by his own grief.

TRUTH:

Its Interesting how when he receives her letter, everything changes for him - his opinion of her and even the way he views her appearance is altered. Interestingly he looks for someone to blame - he's unable to believe it is his wife - but for all her goodness and feminine delicacy - nothing (not even her supposedly benevolent spirit) could override her impulse to be a 'martyr' for her cause.

AMIN:

Throughout his vendetta to Bethlehem and Jenin, his rational/sanity is questionable - instead of informing Navid about the incriminating letter the only reason he doesn't inform them is because he decides it is a matter of personal privacy rather than any notion of preserving his wife’s innocence - perhaps a derailment of logic induced by grief.

FAILURE:

Much of the plot is absolutely dissatisfying and bathetic due to his constant unsuccessful attempts to change the minds of these people who encourage such acts - gives insight into the steadfast belief or extent of the indoctrination if even his extremely emotive and logical arguments fail.

MORALITY:

He is grounded by his profession and that moral compass which is instilled in him to heal rather than harm. It keeps him on the correct path, surprisingly so what with the extent of the psychological torture he undergoes at the hands of these influencers to adopt the same mindset.