Kite Runner Formative Essay

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Kite Runner Formative Essay

Khaled Hosseini is a well-known Afghan American novelist. In his famous and bestselling novel “The Kite Runner”, the author describes the crisis of war and the economic stagnation in Afghan society with the aid of two male characters named, Amir and Hassan. The novel with the help of Amir and Hassan explained how differences in ethnicity, social status, and religion resulted in the fortunate destiny of Amir and continuous sufferings in Hassan’s life.

In Afghanistan, there are two main ethnic groups that are Pashtuns and Hazara. Amir is Pashtun while Hassan is Hazara. Pashtuns are in a position of power while Hazara group is subjected to constant racism and are in minority (Farlina). The difference between the two groups can easily be seen by comparing the relationship between the families of both Amir and Hassan. Hassan and his father work for Amir’s family. Hassan’s job was to prepare breakfast and books for Amir so that Amir can go to school (Noor). While Amir goes to school to attain education, Hassan has to work such as grocery shopping, etc.

In the novel, the author mentioned various instances such as when Amir was searching Hassan after the kite flying tournament, an old man said: “Lucky Hazara, having such a concerned master” (Hosseini 38). The old man further added that “His father should get on his knees, and sweep the dust at your feet with his eyelashes” (Hosseini 38). These statements depict class segregation in Afghan society. In the novel, the religious difference was also shown as Amir was Sunni Muslim and Hassan was Shia Muslim. So when the Taliban took over Kabul, Sunni people celebrated. Amir’s friend also said “God help the Hazaras” (Hosseini 116) as he knew that the Taliban would make the lives of Shia Muslims more miserable.

Another incident when the difference between Amir and Hassan was presented in the novel was when Assef wanted to snatch a kite from Hassan but he refused by saying that friends never betray each other (Kurilah). Assef told Hassan that a Pashtun and Hazara can never be friends by saying that “Friends? “You Pathetic Fool! Someday you'll wake up from your little fantasy and learn just how good of a friend he is” (Hosseini 110).

In conclusion, it is very clear that differences in religion, ethnicity and social status indeed made the life of Hassan miserable while making Amir’s life free of hardships.

Works Cited

Farlina, Nina. "The issue of cultural identity in Khaled Hosseini’s “the kite runner." (2008).

Hosseini, Khaled. "The Kite Runner (2003)." London: Bloomsbury (2004).

Kurilah, Anis. "Social and Moral Responsibility in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner: Sociological Approach." Unpublished Research Paper. Surakarta: Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (2009).

Noor, Ronny. "Afghanistan: The Kite Runner." World Literature Today 78.3/4 (2004): 148.