The Kite Runner, teaches us, young Canadians that Afghanistan was not always what the media tells us these days, but that they had a culture, markets, and most people could live a happy and prosperous life, apart from the difference between the Pastun’s and the Hazara’s.
When Assef said, "We are the true Afghans," (Hosseini 40), he was referring to the Pashtun’s because Amir was friends with Hassan, who was his servant, but more importantly a Hazara. This shows the mentality that most of the Pashtun’s posses, excluding Amir and Baba, because they try to threat Amir and Hassan with the most love they can, and treat them as one of them. The thoughts that go through the head of Assef are what some people call, insane. This mentality he has about him being better than everyone is what ruins the society of towns, cities, provinces, and countries.
The defining factor for me was when Rahim Khan said “…They don’t let you be human,” (Hosseini 209). This let me realize how poorly the Afghans were being treated by the Taliban, but more directly the women Afghans. They basically had no rights, and were treated as scum, and as if they were way lower than the male Afghans. This brought to my attention in how a couple years, such a big place, can change in such a big way, and not for the better.
The news we hear are only a bit of the story, and by reading this novel, I have transformed from an uneducated person towards Afghan society, into an expert at the topic. I thought every part was just bombs, and poverty, but I was mistaken. There is diversity, culture, markets and much more which makes it a revolutionary country.
That is definatly true. It is funny how the media gives us an idea of what a country is. Afghanistan used to be a peaceful, safe country were most of the citezens peacefully coincided. It is a shame how the Taliban took over and ruined a great country.
ReplyDeletethis novel has changed my idea of what Afgan culture is like. From What Ive seen on TV it seems like there is no culture. Just one giant religious debate which leads to war and death. this novel opened my eyes to Afghan culture much more than the media does.
ReplyDeleteOk, a little over the top, Ryan, but point made :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the beauty of literature, it educates and makes us aware by telling one person's story, and by seeing the world from someone else's perspective, helps us to learn empathy and care about what happens to others. This is what I was hoping you would learn :D