The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Historical, Political and Cultural Contexts A presentation by N. Shamnad Department of Arabic University College Thiruvananthapuram E mail: shamnadmail@gmail.com

The Kite Runner By the Afghan-American writer Khaled Hosseini First novel to be written in English by an Afghan National By the Afghan-American writer Khaled Hosseini Published in 2003, USA Sold over 3 million copies worldwide South African Boeke Prize in 2004 A No. 1 New York Times Best seller for 2005 Voted the Penguin Reading Group Book of the year for 2007 Adapted in to a highly acclaimed feature film in 2007 by Marc Forster American Library Association: one of its most challenged books of 2008

Khaled Hosseini Afghan-American writer Born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan His father was an Afghan diplomat in Iran and France Following the 1979 Russian invasion, the family emmigrated to the United States Political asylum in 1980, Settled in California, US Hosseini is now a physician Novels: The Kite Runner (2003), A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007)

The Kite Runner The story takes place in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States from 1975 to 2003 The novel maps the journey of Amir, the narrator Amir belongs to a wealthy family whose father is a businessman Amir tells the story of his friendship with Hassan. Hassan and his father, Ali, are Amir’s servants Hassan is the victim of discrimination due to his ethnic identity Ironically, Hassan is also Amir’s half brother

The Separation Amir desires his father’s approval, and with the help of Hassan, enters a kite running tournament Violent events occur after the tournament, which have an impact upon the lives of Hassan and Amir Amir overwhelms with guilt when allows Hassan to be beaten by the neighborhood boys and Watch him being assaulted Hassan and his father leave Kabul After Russian invasion Amir and his father flee Afghanistan for Pakistan and then end up in the US

AMIR PAYS HIS DEBT TO HASSAN Amir continues his education, marries and becomes a writer He returns to Afghanistan in search of Hassan While in Pakistan, Amir finds out that Hassan and his wife were killed by the Taliban regime They left a son, Sohrab Amir arrives at Kabul to rescue Sohrab from Assef, a Taliban leader Assef was the boy who molested Hassan during their childhood Amir must defeat Assef in a physical battle in order to take Sohrab out of Afghanistan and try to help repair his spirit.

The Kite Runner (Film) A 2007 Hollywood film directed by . Marc Forster Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini. A DreamWorks and Paramount Vintage production Mostly shot in China, Pakistan and US Dialogue is in Afghan Persian (Dari) and English Nomination for the Golden Globe award for the best foreign language film in 2007 5th best film of 2007: Chicago Sun-Times Banned in Afghanistan from theatres and DVD stores .

The Kite Runner (2007) : a Marc Forster film “ … The Kite Runner (2007) : a Marc Forster film “ ….and there is a way to be good again !”

The Kite Runner : Historical and Political Contexts The story takes place in Afghanistan, Pakistan and America Tells the collapse of Afghan civil society and violations of fundamental human rights 1.5 Million people lost their lives 5 Million people went in exile Picturisation of the Soviet invasion of 1979 and the tyranny of Taliban War crimes and the plight of refugees Novel leaves one feeling, a terrible Sadness for the Afghan people. The power game between the U.S.A. and the former Soviet Union brought death and utter destruction to the country.

The Kite Runner : Soviet Invasion of 1979 and Refugees

The Kite Runner : Plight of Refugees

The Kite Runner : Cultural Contexts The Novel shows Ethnic and religious diversities in Afghanistan and cultural clash / prejudice Racial discrimination, religious intolerance, oppression of women and persecution of children Influence of tribalism and disintegration of society Friction between Pashtuns and Hazaras: various ethnic groups Religious extremism and secularism Friendship, between childhood friends / brothers Parent/child relationships, paternal expectations and the need for approval Kite running

Afghan Ethnicity ► Hazaras consists of about10 to 15 percent ► Uzbaks consists of about 9 percent ► Others (Turkmen, Aimaq, Baluch, Nuristani) Tajik Pashtun Hazara

Baluch Uzbak Pashtun

The Kite Runner : desperate children