Social and political protest

Question 1

Personal and political

Answer 1

-The narrative is fundamental in unfolding the events that happen in it’s backstory.

-Incorporates late 20th century and early 21st century politics of Afghanistan and the Western world.

-Story shows how the lives of the ordinary are affected by international power politics.

-Hosseini political intent is clear: to humanise a region, for western readers, which is both remote and clouded by negative media coverage.

-Hosseini chooses to also make Amir a writer - political mission - tell the truth about himself + his country.

Question 2

The devision between Hazaras and Pashtuns

Answer 2

-Central to the post-modern novel is the division between Hazara’s and Pashtuns - two factions of Afghan society.

-two protagonists represent the two ethnic groups and the different lives lived by those with and without political power (shown through their homes, everyday lives - insults - and erasure in school texts).

-Devision still exist during Soviet rule and intensifies under the Pashtun Taliban.

Question 3

Important power struggles and political tensions in the narrative?

Answer 3

-Soviet Invasion

-rise of the Taliban

-Amir’s feelings on inadequacy with regards to his father

-Amirs physical fight with Assef for Sohrab

-All examples - conflicts between the powerful and the powerless

-Hosseini - comments on gender politics, class and ethnicity - by his representation of contemporary Afghan society

Question 4

Microcosmic and macrocosmic

Answer 4

Micro: Hassan and Amir’s unequal, oppressive relationship mirrors the macro of the wider oppression of Hazaras in society