Khaled Hosseini’s the Kite Runner Through the Lens Of Orientalism To Self-Orientalism

Abstract

This thesis provides an analysis of Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner, focusing on the replication of Western ideals and practices by its characters and scrutinizing their accountability for cooptation. Drawing on Edward Said's concept of co-optation, the study positions the novel within the discourse of postcolonial theory and explores unexplored dimensions in the narrative.

The analysis explores the process of transformation, depicting characters' evolution towards Western culture and the workings of self-Orientalism. It dissects the portrayal of Pashtunwali as a savage code, aligning with Said's notion of Orientalism and reflecting the misrepresentation of Pukhtuns to justify Western presence in Afghanistan.

Examining characters like Assef, Rahim Khan, Baba, Amir, Hassan, and Sohrab in the novel reveals their interconnected stories mirroring Afghanistan's broader geopolitical situation. The study scrutinizes how these characters internalize orientalist stereotypes, contributing to power dynamics and corruption within Afghan society, particularly affecting marginalized communities like the Hazara. The thesis explores the repercussions of self-Orientalism and cooptation on Afghanistan, examining their role in the discourse of imperialism and foreign intervention. It questions the extent to which the novel challenges or perpetuates colonial narratives within and beyond borders.

Using Edward Said's Orientalism concept, the study explores Assef's character in The Kite Runner as a metaphor for the Taliban, simplifying Islam and reinforcing Western imperial narratives. It criticizes Hosseini's neglect of broader social and political realities in Afghanistan, including the consequences of the U.S. proxy war, and questions potential biases in the portrayal of Pukhtuns. The analysis examines how the novel navigates storytelling, self-Orientalism, and cooptation, unraveling the implications within the contexts of imperialism and postcolonial discourse. It raises concerns about the perpetuation of Orientalist notions and alignment with Western-centric perspectives, questioning the novel's intended audience and suggesting a potential narrative purpose in justifying the post 9/ 11 U.S. presence in Afghanistan.