The Kite Runner Religion Theme

The increase Runner faith ThemeIntroductionMy object of study is The Kite Runner a novel by Khaled Hosseini, published by Riverhead Books in USA, 2003. The novel was adapted into a film in 2007 by the same name of The Kite Runner.Khaled Hosseini was born on quaternary March 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan. His father worked for Afghan Foreign Ministry, and his m other(a) was a teacher of Farsi and Hi baloney. When Soviets occupied Afghanistan in 1978, the Hosseini family seek political asylum in the join States of America (USA) and moved to San Jose, California. Where Hosseini graduated from High School, and earned biology degree from Santa Clara University. He attended SanDiegos School of Medicine and completed his MD in 1993. He started writing The Kite Runner in 2001 while he was a practicing physician1. Hosseiniis Kite Runner is partly based on his childhood experiences in Wazir Akbar caravansary in Kabul. While most of the take downts in the novel are fictional. After living 2 7 years in USA he re phone numbered to Afghanistan in 2003 and was take a thorn to discover the terrible stain in that respect, even when he had written a very realistic and detailed fictional narrative of it. He declared that because of chance and material privilege, he and his family was saved from the Soviets and the Taliban, much like his central figure of the narrative emeer.The rationale for choosing this novel is that it encourages the reader for repentance, and offers hope in devastation. It is a twaddle of friendship and betrayal, love and applys, written beautifully by Hosseini, against the background of Afghan political history.BackgroundAfghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Its frugality is based on agriculture and provides 70% of worlds opium and 90% of Europes heroin, but still one of the poorest countries. Among its 28 million people, 50% of men are illiterate and 79% of women. Life expectancy here is 47 years. The country has a long history of foreign interference by the Greeks, Persians, Turks, British, Indians and Russians. Talibans began as a group of fundamentalistic Islamic students, were the last intruders until 2001 when Americans occupied and dismissed them. Because of all these intruders, there was a great diversity of culture and ethnicity in the country. Afghanistan divided into approximately 20 polar ethnic groups, which further divided into tribes 2.It is inevitable to have conflicts between different groups while living in the same country, because of differences in their morals and beliefs. In Kite Runner Hosseinis main character amir is a Pashtun and Hassan, is a Hazara the two groups do not initiate along in Afghanistan. According to Hosseini two things let out Hazaras from other ethnicities, one is that their looks are different, because they are the descendants of Mongol Empire and secondly, they are Shia Muslims, unlike most Afghans who are Sunni Muslims. Hazaras throughout the centuries have bee n the oppressed nonage in Afghanistan.The Kite Runner acquires its name from the ancient game of increase flying known as gudi paran bazi. Boys engender fighter kites from a bamboo frame in concert with tissue paper in different sizes ranging from one to five feet across. They attach the string to the kite which is coated with powdered ground glass. The goal of the fight is to deracination the opponents kite string with a sawing motion. The real fight starts as soon as the enemys kite subsides and all wait impatiently to see who will get the fallen kite, as the kite is a symbol of their pride and glory.3Hosseini symbolises the kite fighting to the fighting between Afghan government and Mujahidin, whose hands were smear and bruised, in the same modal value as does the hands of kite flyer when the kites string sears through his hands. Another way in which kite flying symbolises with the story of emir and Hassan is the class difference between them, as the boy who contains the ki te is Amir (Pashtun), and the other who assists him and run for the fallen kite for him is Hassan (Hazara), who also served Amir by cleaning and washing for him. Although, the kite fighting is violent but the only act of flying kite is innocent and depicts freedom. Despite their class differences the only activeness which brings the two boys together is flying kites. The Kite Runneris the story of the friendship between two boys grew up in Kabul, Raised in the same dwelling house and shared the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan grew up in different worlds Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amirs fathers servant, is a Hazara an outcast ethnic minority. The two boys were very much attached to each other in their childhood and spend perfect time together by telling stories, running and flying kites, until that event happened which changed their lives forever. Their lives and their fates were interrelated, even when Amir and his father left the cou ntry for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he will forget Hassan, but surprisingly he couldnt. It is a story of Amir, his childhood, how he faces all the challenges while maturing into manhood, his friendship with Hassan, love and hate, father sons bonding and on the top, about the price one has to pay for his loyalty and betrayal.Representation of ReligionThe novel of Kite Runner is set in Afghanistan, where the majority of the population are Muslim and there are lot of references to Muslims and their beliefs in the novel. For example, the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar, and the first three days of Eid-ul-Adha, or Eid-e-Qorban, as Afghans call it a day to celebrate how the prophet Ibrahim almost sacrificed his own son for God. Baba has handpicked the sheep again this year, a powder white one with crooked fateful ears. (p 67)As Hayes S. Judi (2007) writes, Hosseinis tidy sum point is in many ways secular, when it is religious the perspecti ve is from an Islamic world view, not a Judeo- Christian perspective. tho because Islam, Judaism, and Christianity hold in common at least near of events in the book of Genesis in the Hebrew bible, we will find much there that informs our reading of THE KITE RUNNER.Religion can be interpreted differently by different people according to their own values and beliefs. Same is the mooring in Hosseinis Kite Runner. Religion in the eyes of Baba (Amir Father) is morality, pride, honour and courage, and in revision to be human one has to gain honour and respect in his lodge. Example of his pride and honour is that when they encountered a Russian soldier, on their way out of Afghanistan and the soldier demanded a half hour with the lady in the back of the truck, Baba said, Ask him where his shame is.war doesnt negate decency. It demands it, even more than in time of peace.(p100)Baba was more secular in his views and did not like the orthodox religious preachers, who put down their rig id views on others and who couldnt even allow minor sins and errors. His views on fundamentalists Taliban when he says youll never learn anything of value from those bearded idiots-piss on the beards of all those self harmless monkeysGod help us all if Afghanistan ever falls into their hands(p15). While he has his own secular views, but he did good deeds in order to relieve his tormenting evil.now, no matter what the Mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. Do you understand that? (p16)For Amir, Religion is something entirely private he was also influenced by his father and didnt much believe in traditional religious values. We only found him praying twice. Firstly, when his father got pallid bowing my head to the ground, I recited half forgotten verses from the Koran..and asked for kindness from a God I wasnt sure existed.(p135)Secondly, when Sohrab tried to cut himself, the boy had cut himself profoundly and l ost a great deal of blood and my mouth begins to mutter that prayer again La illaha il Allah, Muhammad u rasul ullahI will do namaz, I will do zakat. I will fast. (p304)Stereotypes of ReligionWe can see stereotypes of Taliban in The Kite Runner. Assef, the childhood bully, became a Taliban member. Hosseini portray Assef as a Talib notwithstanding to give a back ground to the story. He knew that Taliban are already viewed badly in the western world. Assef claimed that hes on a mission of God and Amir asked him about his mission, What mission is that? ..Stoning adulterers? Raping children? Flogging women for wearing high heels? Massacring Hazaras? All in the name of Islam? (p248). As we can see how their rulers in the name of trust, beat, stoned, raped and brutalized women. long time of war had stripped them of gentleness, kindness and human expression, the very aspect of religion they allegedly follow and try to impose. And all in the name of God and religion they have turned their monstrosity on their own people.Critics of The Kite RunnerKhaled Hosseinis THE KITE RUNNER faced lot of appreciation as well as criticism. Like all other work of art and literature, people from different sections advanceThe Kite Runnerwith different feelings.A critic forThe New York propagation Book ReviewdescribedThe Kite Runneras A story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet salveing love. Both transmogrify the life of Amir, Khaled Hosseinis privileged young narrator, who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the monarchy, just before the countrys revolution and its invasion by Russian forces. But, political events, even as dramatic as the ones that are presented inThe Kite Runner, are only a part of this story. InThe Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini gives us a natural and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence. Forces that continue to threaten them even today. http//www.sholajawid.org/english/main_english /afghanistan_kite_runner290908.htmlWritten in the back drop of 9/11by an Afghan born medical doctor, The Kite Runner presents a glimpse of socio political climate in Afghanistan and the Afghan community in northern California. The Kite Runner achieves this by offering a fictional portrait of recent events manipulated by tribalism and religious conservatism and aggravated by foreign interferences but overcome through the humanism and bravery, which is fuelled by the sense of community.(Sadat, 2004)Some argue that Hosseini has put his finger on very sensitive pagan issues that Afghanis dont like to be discussing in public. Others accuse him of being secular, who believe in oneness of Allah and the Quran.In my opinion, Khaled Hosseini took a very bold step, in order to distinguish and expose such brutality and misery, which was practised by Pashtuns, (Afghanistans dominant nationality), against Hazaras in the name of Religion. The people should have the understanding of whats going on in the world, other than theirs, in order to do something for those who are living in oppression, either in the name of religion, or in the name of Jihad- where the male chauvinist demote innocent children, women and men.ConclusionThe Kite Runner basically in my view is a legendary story of people of Afghanistan. The author provides a very long, descriptive and eye opening account of Afghanistans culture and traditions, along with its people. He portrays a complete picture of life in Kabul before Soviets invasion and Taliban to the westward world as a cosmopolitan, artistic and a very intellectual environment.According to Sadat (2004) the authors goal ..is to humanize the Afghan people and put a ad hominem face to what has happened there.For me The Kite Runner is a story of peoples conscience that they have to face during their difficult times in life.The religion of the novel in my view is redemption. Redemption is very important for those who has conscience and have sinned. The entire story of The Kite Runner is focused on just one sentence,There is a way to be good again, (p.2)Allah says in Quran 12 53And I do not make myself free of blame, for the human soul is addicted to ignorance, except what My Lord has mercy on. Surely My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.Allah accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards to them will Allah turn in mercy For Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. Quran 4 17.The Buddhist, Christian and Hindu principles of salvation are very much in common. Each of them stresses on outpouring from sin, and relief from evil. Their goal is to return back to their former chastity and happiness. As evil is everywhere in this physical world, it is inevitable to commit sin making it inseparable from life. They believe that freedom can be achieved only by deserting this world. Buddhist believes into this doctrine in its purest form while Christians and Hindus have adjusted it to some extent, according t o their belief.Amir is telling us the story of his childhood, memories of which are corrupted with shame and guilt. Towards the end of the novel we learned to know that it is not only Amir who needs redemption but Baba and Rahim Khan has also sinned and lived throughout their life in guilt. Amir thinks of himself as the only sinner among his friends and family, and his guilt become stronger when he sees Hassan as a righteous person. Amir had disgraced himself by not coming forward and helping Hassan when he was attacked and by lying and creating a situation in which Hassan was blamed of stealing and made him and his father (Ali) to leave Amirs home. Amirs relationship with Baba was very strained, as his father was very hard-driving and demanding. Amir was Desperate for his fathers affection and respect, and turns to kite flying sport, in which he was good from his childhood. At the age of 12, he wins the annual tournament of kite flying in Kabul with the help of Hassan. Amir was ver y jealous of Hassan and wanted his fathers love so much for himself, that he hurt Hassan in the process.Amir tried continuously to make even with Baba, and didnt realise that it is Babas guilt which made him so hard on Amir and that Baba also needed redemption. People find redemption when they pay in some way for their wrong doings and try to replace the bad things with good ones.One day, Rahim Khan, Amirs fathers close friend called him and told him that he needed to come back home and to make things right, that had been done wrong, there is a way to be good again(p.2) indicated to Amir that it was a right time to let the guilt go away and redeem himself from the sin he committed 26 years ago. Finally, Amir redeemed himself as Rahim Khan recommended for him in his last letter, ..I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when guilt leads to good (p263).Later on, in the novel we learned that Hassan was his half brother and that he had had a son. Amir found his way to redempti on by looking at after Hassans orphan son. He left his wife and home in America to look for the boy in Afghanistan. Once, Hassan stood up for Amir, now its Amir turn to do something for his son Sohrab. He had to fight with his childhood enemy, (Assef) the man who caused him the suffering and guilt, in order to rescue Sohrab, and it was Sohrab who saved Amirs life that day who wanted to sacrifice his blood for Hassan in the same way as Hassan did in the alley one night about 26 years ago. When Amir was cruelly beat out by Assef, he laughed and said, .My body was broken-just how badly I wouldnt find until later-but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed (p253). These words show that his guilt and worry of finding redemption were really huge. He felt he deserved to be punched to the point of almost dying he needed to feel punishment for what he did.The Kite Runner is a beautiful story about guilt and acquitness, fear and redemption. The story emphasizes on what happens when there is an overwhelming fear which control ones actions, and the way one deals with this kind of situations.Rahim Khan carries the novels conclusive message about forgiveness. God is always merciful and it is people who are not.He tells Amir in his letter, I know that in the end, God will forgive. He will forgive your father, me, and you too Forgive your father if you can. Forgive me if you wish. But most important, forgive yourself. (P263-264)