Moral dilemmas in Khaled Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed explores the intricacies of human relationships and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, highlighting the complexities of sacrifice, love, and guilt. This paper examines key moral conflicts within the novel, including Saboor's decision to give away his daughter, Pari, in the hopes of securing a better life for her, Nila Wahdati’s emotional detachment as an adoptive mother, Parwana's betrayal of her sister Masooma, and Nabi’s role in separating Pari from her brother Abdullah. Each character’s decision underscores the tension between personal desires, familial duties, and the harsh realities of life. The novel illustrates that moral dilemmas often arise in the gray areas of human experience, where well-meaning actions can lead to unintended harm. Through these complex choices, Hosseini presents a profound exploration of how individual actions shape the lives of others and reverberate across generations.

Key words: novel, moral, dilemmas, family, culture, bond.