The Kite Runner - Dickens

Written by Khaled Hosseini, the book The Kite Runner, #1 New York Times Bestseller, encompasses a variety of themes, many of which relate to current political and societal events from across the world. The book is set in Afghanistan and the United States, and portrays the issues of ethnic discrimination, the war, and differences in culture between the United States and Afghanistan in a whole new light. The book tackles many hard and difficult current topics and dilemmas from a perspective not commonly thought of and considered.

            To begin, the media often portrays Afghanistan as a war-torn, terrorist country that is politically unstable and the capitol of drug-trafficking. Not to say that these synonyms for Afghanistan are incorrect, however they are highly exaggerated in the media and paint the country in a dominantly negative light. The Kite Runner offers a perspective from the view of families suffering from illness and famine and torn apart by war, terrorism and cults. The majority of families residing in Afghanistan were simply sucked into the drama brought upon the few families that chose the path of hatred and terrorism to unleash their anger and give the country the terrorist image. The book highlights the effects of these current societal and political events on the country itself and the people of the country. The first event in Afghanistan, the invasion of the Soviet Union, really got the ball rolling in the country, and then it was the tribal wars between the war lords and tribes during the rule of the Taliban and then war involving the United States.

            Next, the Kite Runner truly tackles the current societal issue of ethnic discrimination within the country among the Afghans. In the book, conflict between the Pashtuns and Hazaras is highlighted. Amir’s father sets an example for him of being kind to Hazara people, because he is Pashtun, even though they are historically demeaned and persecuted. The Pashtun people of Afghanistan feel societal inferiority in comparison to the Hazara people, similar to how whites felt toward African-Americans in US History, but on a scaled down level. The Hazara people serve as servants or workers for Pashtun people, and tend to be in a lower class then the Pashtun people on the social pyramid. In the book, Hassan and Amir are best friends and love flying kites together, however Hassan is Hazara and Amir is Pashtun. Additionally, Hassan and his father work for Amir and his family at their house. Together, Amir and Hassan have to battle discrimination and aggression from other Pashtun bullies. A constant societal event/issue throughout the world, and The Kite Runner does an excellent job showing how this shouldn’t be an issue for people and doesn’t have to be an issue.

            Another theme highlighted in The Kite Runner is the idea throughout the world that the United States is a refuge of sorts for people seeking safety and an escape from trouble within their own country. In the book, when the Soviets first invade, Amir and his father quickly pack their bags and find transportation to leave Afghanistan for America, where they will begin rebuilding their lives. This idea is one that has transformed the United States into the melting pot as it’s known for across the world. At the time of this chaos, many other people had the same idea as Amir’s father to escape to the United States and leave Afghanistan to avoid getting caught up in the terrorism and conflict in the country.

            In conclusion, The Kite Runner is a book that not only has many emotional themes, but also more serious themes that represent current societal and political themes and issues, not just in the Unites States but around the world. Ethnic discrimination, terrorism, refuge in America, and the generally negative image that is associated with Afghanistan. This book is an important literary read for anyone wishing to have a greater insight into the Middle East and the conflict that lies within the country. The themes highlighted in the book are shown from a perspective that these issues are rarely viewed from. It is important to have a vast and strong knowledge of current political and societal events in our history, and this book is a great source to that knowledge.