I found it significant that she resolved to her aunt that she wouldn't cry--that indicated a desire to face it with a stoic dignity, probably for the sake of her family's memory of her, or to show a confidence before the people that she really is righteous and has nothing to fear of meeting Allah her maker.
Of course she did cry--the physical pain was undoubtedly too much, but I think she really lost it seeing her father disown her and cast the first stones, and probably especially her sons whom she loved so dearly, and even her husband whom she once had, and maybe still to some extent, loved.
I remember being particularly saddened when the younger son was goaded into throwing a stone. I was saying (tearfully) to the TV, "don't do it, you'll have nightmares of it your whole life." Imagine, doing that to your own mother. There's a special place in hell for the adults (it wasn't just the elder son goading him) who push a child into doing that to their own mother. "Throw it, for God", they said. I think the elder son cried afterwards because he understood better the significance of it, and I like to think he began having some doubts and remorse. The younger was simply in shock, and will probably suffer a huge PTSD his whole life from it. The elder son probably will too.
The husband was a snake through the end, even smirking smugly with no remorse whatsoever. An example of a true sociopath using and manipulating "the law" to destroy another--perhaps the most insidious form of evil on this Earth, and practiced everywhere. (Not to take anything away from how harsh and brutal the particular law in question here was.)
As for the suicide question: I had the same thoughts. In her last hour, I was thinking "don't give them the satisfaction" of venting their bloodlust on you this way. But I think some of the other posters here were right: it was the combination of suicide being the ultimate sin (I know some Christians, particularly Catholics, believe it is unforgivable because you cannot repent of it once it's done; and maybe at least some Muslims believe similarly); and a willingness to face it with dignity, a sense of honor, and perhaps with an expression of confidence that Allah knows the truth and that she will be brave in her faith knowing that, and imminently facing Allah as her judge. And probably also so her children won't be shunned or face some sort of dishonor in the village, or other bad repercussions if she ran or died "dishonorably".
Understanding is a three-edged sword.
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