Text Overview AQA

Question 1

Overview:
narration

Answer 1

Narrated in the late 20th century, early 21st century politics of both the Western world and Afghanistan. It is about the lives of ordinary people and how they are affected by domestic/international power.

Question 2

Overview:
inequality, themes

Answer 2

Inequality foreground through the characters’ homes.
The Soviet invasion and the rise of the Talibans.
Gender politics, ethnicity, and class.

Question 3

Issues of power and ethnicity:
Rape

Answer 3

Amir witnessing the rape of Hassan and him not doing anything haunts him for the rest of his life. Amir can only gain redemption by recognising his abuse of power.

Question 4

Gender politics:
Sorarya

Answer 4

Soraya’s discussion of double standards highlights the gender inequalities in Afghan society.

Question 5

Setting:
Backdrop
History
Taliban rule

Answer 5

The domestic and personal story of TKR is sharpened by the backdrop of political turmoil.
Historical details are incoorporated into the novel could be seen to present Afghanistan itself as the victim.
Taliban rule (1996-2001) made the country a terifying and hopeless place.

Question 6

Power of nation:
Afghanistan under who’s rule?
America
Extremeisism
Amir and Hosseini.

Answer 6

Afghanistan is at the mercy of the Soviet and the Americans at key points in Amir’s story.
America is presented somewhat ambigously both as a saviour in destroying the Taliban, but also a destroyer.
The novel shows extremism through the attitudes and behaviour of the Talibans.
Amir is encouraged to write a book about the miserable fate of his people, In this respect, Amir (and Hosseini’s) novel is a political and social protest text, demonstrating perhaps the strength of the pen as a tool of protest.