1. By Loz, Frankz, KT and Olivia Grace Norris
Critical Theories
By Loz, Frankz, KT and Olivia Grace Norris

2. Marxist Theory
The political and economic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
It is based on the theory of a class struggle, in which the proletariat (workers) would overthrow the bourgeoisie (ruling class) to create a socialist and ultimately classless (equal) society.
socialism
socialism
socialism
socialism
socialism

3. “Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford Mustang – a car that drew envious looks everywhere.”

4. “Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford Mustang – a car that drew envious looks everywhere.”
Baba and Amir’s wealth affects how they are viewed by people in society, affected by economic standards.
Baba and Amir own western products, emphasising their fortune compared with other people in Afghanistan.
Amir remains bully-free by other children in the neighbourhood because of Baba’s wealth and power.
Their economic wealth and status in Afghanistan acts as a direct contrast to their economic struggles and status in America.

5. PASHTUN
hazara
“Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns… not this Flat-Nose here. His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood.”

6. “Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns… not this Flat-Nose here
“Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns… not this Flat-Nose here. His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood.”
There are clear class and socio-economic divisions between Hassan and Amir, even though they are half-brothers , because of Hassan’s ethnicity.
Power struggles in Afghanistan between the government and the people. At first, it was Mujahideen groups fighting against the pro-Soviet government. Later in the novel, the oppression of the Taliban is described.
Ali and Hassan are both servants and both suffer severely at the hands of the Taliban. This conveys the inequality in Afghanistan during the time period.
There are also several power struggles between the people in Afghanistan, such as Pashtuns and Hazaras. This is emphasised by Assef’s persecution of Hassan.

7. WHY ‽
A Marxist perspective exposes the racial outlook of several characters, such as Assef.
It also emphasises the social and power exploitation in Afghanistan

8. Feminist Theory
Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

9. Amir’s Mother
Sofia- Sofia dies giving birth to Amir, and so we learn very little of her throughout the book. However, her lack of presence in Amir’s life is significant, as Amir is, essentially, left as an orphan; his father does not care for him in the way that a parent should. She is also the symbol of intelligence within the novel; Amir spends hours upon hours reading her books. She provides him with his only passion in life, despite the fact that she is not there.

10. Hassan’s Mother
Sanaubar - She is a symbol of abandonment and betrayal, as she runs away from her responsibilities to join the circus. However, she also demonstrates that people can be redeemed and deserve second chances, as she returns to take care of Sohrab, her grandson.

11. Soraya
Soraya- Soraya changes Amir’s life around, and provides his with the nurturing and caring that has never been given to him before. Soraya is the symbol of Amir’s new life in America, representing a new start at life. However, she also prompts Amir to go and rescue Sohrab, and she wants to include him in their family. In many ways, Soraya is the person Amir’s mother should have been.

12. Are women oppressed in The Kite Runner?
Soraya is not particularly oppressed as she speaks to Amir without her father’s permission, she doesn’t wear appropriate Afghan women’s clothing and she makes a lot of her own decisions in her relationship with Amir.
Overall, none of the female characters are particularly oppressed but the absence of female characters symbolises the lack of female rights in Afghanistan.
Amir and Hassan’s mothers don’t show signs of oppression as Amir’s mum was a university professor and Hassan’s mother ran away with the circus.
Soraya wasn’t allowed to be alone with Amir during their engagement, she had no choice in marrying him and she still had to go through the traditional marriage process.

13. How Would a Feminist React?
Due to the fact that there are very few female characters in the novel, feminists may feel as though women have not been sufficiently represented in “The Kite Runner”. Furthermore, the female characters all represent abandonment in some way: Sofia abandons Amir by dying, Sanaubar runs away from Hassan, and Soraya abandons her ex-boyfriend. Although, none of the women in the novel are oppressed, as they each divert from the stereotypical Afghanistan, which is demonstrated through free choice and swearing.