By
Ullah, Inam Gul.
The kite
runner is a beautifully written piece of prose by the noted novelist Khaled
Husseni. The novel, mainly set in Afghanistan, though for brief moments the setting shifts to Pakistan
and then America. The novels depicts the social structure, a cursory history,
political scenario and the change of regimes which took place in Afghanistan. The novel portrays how the lives
of the masses and routine life changed when the political changes occurred in
the country. Husseni shows how Afghanistan from a monarchic state transformed into a
republic, Russian invasion, communist rule, the civil war and infightings among
the various splinter groups and warlords, and finally the emergence of Taliban
on the seat of power. Loyalty, faithfulness, betrayal and marginalization of
the small denominations and ethnic communities run as recurrent the themes of
the novel.
The novel
begins with the friendship between Amir and Hassan; they maintain close ties
with one another. But the relationship is not based on the terms of equality
and fair deal. Although Amir likes Hassan very much, yet Hassan is inferior to
him in social rank and serves Amir in his daily needs, just like Hassan
father’s Ali serves Amir’s father Baba. All of them live in the same house.
Amir and Hassan are close friends they play sit and walk outside together.
Although Hassan is not educated yet he shows great skills and aptitude for
doing things which warrant deft and education.
Both Ali and
his son Hassan when go outside, they are made fun of by the people around them.
it is due to the fact that they belong to the Hazara community and the dominant ethnic group
around them are Pashtuns. They are treated by the outside people with quite
unfairly and are never welcomed anywhere in their vicinity. Among the people
who bother them, the noted one is Assif, who don’t tolerate them and teases and
bothers them whenever he finds them outside on the streets. He even once
sexually abuses Hassan when the latter, while showing his loyalty, catches an
adrift kite for Amir.
Ali and
Hassan both are symbol of loyalty and faithfulness. Ali serves Baba and Hassan
serves Amir. But their masters are not that much loyal as they ought to be.
Amir hatches a plan of hiding money under the carpet in Hassan room so that to
blame him for theft and make Baba order them to leave his home. Hassan without
having done the theft accepts it and they are finally decide to leave the
house.
As long as
Afghanistan remains politically stable, the novel shows, people are
economically prosperous and have had a sense of security and maintain their
cultural practices. They seem to celebrate their traditional game of kite
running and other cultural festivals. But when changes occur in the political
landscape of the country, it do tell upon lives of the people. The worst days
start when the Russian forces invade Afghanistan. Political and social
structure is disturbed and people are made to leave their country for the
security of life and limbs. Baba and Amir leave for Pakistan and then for
America.
The
character of Bhaba is reflective of patriotism, loyalty to his land and people.
He is liberal in views and rarely believes in divinity and religion. In the
wake of the Russian invasion when he leaves Afghanistan, he fills his snuff box
with the soil of his native country. It is again Baba who stands in opposition
to the demand of a Russian soldier who wants to have sex with one of women on
the truck in exchange for allowing them pass the check post. None but Baba
stands against him at the cost of his own life and the soldier finally goes
away.
When Amir
and Baba shifts to America they come into contact with other Afghans, notable
among them is General Tahiri, his wife and his daughter Surraya. The General is
a conservative minded and his thoughts are always fixed on his return to
Afghanistan and assuming his position once again. He punishes his daughter like
a conservative father for her having been eloped with an Afghan boy in America.
Baba arranges marriage between Amir and Surraya. She confesses her lost of
virginity and Amir accepts the marriage and Baba finally dies.
Amir returns
to Afghanistan in search of Hassan’s son Sohrab, who lives in an orphanage
under the Taliban’s control. Amir finds that Sohrab has been taken by Talib
commander who sexually abuses and use Sohrab for dancing. In search for Sohrab
Amir learns that it is Assif who has taken the child. After a fight with Assif,
Ami releases Sohrab and takes him to America.
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CURRENT ISSUES
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