Afghan Culture and The Kite Runner Anonymous 12th Grade

Afghanistan translates to “Land of the Afghans” and is a nation with a strong culture, including diverse subcultures and Islamic traditions. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is the story of a young boy, Amir. He lives in an affluent neighborhood in Kabul with his father, Baba. His best friend, Hassan, is their servant. The book follows Amir’s life, showing the problems that arise due to guilt over his turbulent past. The Kite Runner takes place predominantly in Afghanistan, but scenes in America highlight the Afghan-American community. The book explores many aspects of Afghan culture, a strong part of Hosseini’s background, which influences his writing. This includes Arabic dialogue, but also the actual storyline and character development. Afghan culture is the driving force behind the plot and character’s decisions in The Kite Runner. Kite fighting is a characteristic of Afghan culture that affects relationships in the novel. Honor, another centerpiece of Afghan culture, influences the decisions of the book’s characters. Finally, ethnic tensions and discrimination within the Afghan culture against Hazara people cause problems for Hassan and Ali but also Baba’s internal strife over his Hazara son.

Kite fighting is a key...