Within the last forty years, Afghanistan has seen a lot of turmoil and despair. Racism has been a major part of history, which still affects the lives of many people. Racism cuts though a person’s feelings like a glass-covered kite string cuts down another kite. An example of racism occurring recently is in Afghanistan. Social groups desperately try to cling on to the reasons why they are different from each other in order to preserve social order. The reasons for difference depreciate greatly
the social, cultural and political environment, prejudice, and beliefs. The Kite Runner is a novel written by Khaled Hosseini and published in 2003. The main character is a Pashtun boy named Amir who has a socially unacceptable relationship with a Hazara boy named Hassan. The Pashtuns are considered as being of much higher class to the Hazara’s and have distinctive differences in appearances. The story starts off set in Afghanistan in the 1970’s, then in 1980 Amir relocates to California. He then
Hazara Tribe in Afghanistan The Hazaras are the third largest ethnic community in Afghanistan. People that are a part of this ethnic group have a variety of origins that make up their genetics and culture. Although their specific place of origin is unknown, it is widely accepted that they have a significant amount of Asian decent. They also have heavy influence from the Turkic and Mongol groups. There are approximately 70 different Hazara Tribes that exist today in both Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Kite Runner without discerning the differences between social classes and understanding the importance of honor in the Afghanistan culture. An aspect crucial to understanding The Kite Runner is the Pashtuns contemptuous treatment towards the Hazaras based upon the immense social differences between these two ethnic groups. Hassan, one of the
versatile entity as a common denominator for many peoples. Ed -E-Qurban is an islamic holiday as the day to commemorate the day that ibrahim (abraham) to sacrifice his only son to god. God recognize his willingness and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead. In terms of loyalty, Hassan was as loyal as those animals that are used for the feast. Sheep without a waiver in confidence follow their shepherd wholeheartedly, as a master if you will . Hassan, as a Hazara servant, was essentially "owned" by Baba,
On Culture, Clashes, and Kite Running In his novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini depicts his homeland Afghanistan as a host to many different cultures and classes, such as Pashtun and Hazara, Sunni and Shiite, with this dichotomy of beliefs and attributes being powerful enough to shape diverse, sometimes negative relationships amongst the characters of the novel and their behavior to each other, as well as establish that individual’s identity. Each person interprets the impact of the role of
is exposed to his cultures views and how the people within his culture act. But despite knowing his culture's expectations Amir goes against them while also showing his own sense of pride, and this results in others despising him. As the novel progresses Amir shows more of the tendency to keep on going against
important divisions in this story that determines the fate of each other. Most Pashtuns are Sunni Muslims and majority of Hazaras are Shia Muslim. They both compensate beliefs of Islam, but they both practice it very differently. “God help the Hazaras now,” (Hosseini pg.116) this is something that Hassan says to Rahim Khan, this is a type of foreshadow where the Taliban will kill the Hazaras. Rahim Khan tells Hassan to move to Kabul with his family. But the Taliban arrived very quick and kills Hassan and
One’s upbringing and status ultimately affects their behavior and authority in society. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, shows the difference in power between the Hazaras, who have been persecuted throughout Afghani history, and the Pashtuns, who hold superior status. The novel is set against the backdrop of a class-based society structure in Afghanistan. The hierarchical society determines occupation, status, and power in the social structure, and defines the social interaction amongst
#11: Life Lesson Amir Learned and the Effects In The Kite Runner, a novel written by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir, learns a huge life lesson that leaves a lasting impact on the way he views the world around him. Hassan, Amir’s half-brother, was once Amir’s servant and catered to Amir altruistically. Amir betrayed Hassan and regretted it after finding out who he really was years later. The revealing of Hassan’s authentic identity has a lasting effect on Amir as he progresses in life
Afghanistan and the Holocaust as a result of superiority ideal’s depicted by Elie Wiesel in Night. The comparison depicts how due to superiority ideal’s individual 's morals can be altered in which they are willing to turn on their friends; Pashtuns and Hazaras; Aryans vs Jews. In The Kite Runner, Amir an educated Pashtun boy demonstrates the
Citizens of Afghanistan have always dealt with a tough life, whether it be automatically labelled as terrorists by foreigners or characterized based on decisions they have made in life from their own people. When one hears “Afghanistan” it is usually with negative thoughts or comments regarding the nation. However, perception of Afghanistan once revolved around different aspects of classification. In Khaled Hosseini’s, The Kite Runner, labels and characterization are easily identified and result
a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.” No matter what context it is in, discrimination belittles people. Accompanying that, people search for some type of validation that they are better than what they’re perceived to be. Discrimination in the narrative Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini portrays this greater theme of searching for validation. It comes in all forms.
“The Afghan people have paid a terrible price in their fight for freedom” (Reagan). But one must ask, freedom for who, precisely? It certainly doesn’t appear to be freedom for the many ethnic minorities living in Afghanistan, who have been experiencing various degrees of discrimination and oppression since the country’s inception. Another question comes to mind when reading Reagan’s quote: in a society as heterogeneous and tumultuous as Afghanistan, who exactly are the “Afghan people”? In The Kite
brave people that stood up to help others who were being discriminated against. As power is in the hands of the wrong people, propaganda also plays a big role
due to their different backgrounds. Hassan faces many struggles due to his status as a Hazara, his cleft lip, and his absent mother. His best friend Amir is privileged in many ways because of Baba, his influential father, and his position as a Pashtun. To fully experience Hosseini’s powerful narrative, the reader must be able to grasp the way of life in Kabul by educating themselves about the significance of Hazara v Pashtun, and the importance of honor and loyalty. The significance of social class
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Amir lives in a nice home in Kabul, Afghanistan, with his father. They have two servants, Ali and his son, Hassan. Ali and Hassan are Hazaras, which is an ethnic minority. Hassan is often teased and harassed by a group of boys, one in particular named Assef, who wishes to get rid of all Hazaras in the future. One day an incident happens between Hassan and Assef that changes Amir’s relationship with Hassan forever, bringing Amir to ultimately cause Ali and Hassan
The main theme or message Hosseini gives the reader is honor and pride motivate and guide people’s actions. Also, the the cultural divide between Hazaras and Pashtuns creates a black and white perception where Pashtuns are full of honor and pride and Hazaras lack one or sometimes both. In the form of a conversation, irony presents itself in chapter 12 when Amir and Baba talk about General Taheri’s ethnic background and expectations “The man is a Pashtun
had a hard time dealing with as a child was a boy named Assef. Assef was the most selfish and ruthless boy throughout the neighborhood in which they lived in. To Ali, Amir’s best friend’s dad, Assef was the one who tortured him the most for being a Hazara (a servant). “‘Hey Babalu, who did you eat today? Or when he felt inspired he would say, ‘Hey, you flat-nosed Babalu, who did you eat today? Tell us you slant-eyed donkey!’” (Hosseini 38). This quote shows how mean Assef could be to anyone, he did
home, Hosseini was still aware of the tyrannical rule the Taliban had over Afghanistan, and the class divide happening between the Pashtuns and Hazaras. In his world-renowned novel, The Kite