Kite Runner
In “The Kite Runner,” written by Khaled Hosseini, tells a vivid story that demonstrates the political and religious discrimination in Afghan society. Concerns about discrimination are reminded to the reader as one reads about the story of two Afghan boys. A major struggle is evident between the two groups in Afghanistan, the Pashtuns, and the Hazaras. Discrimination sets into place as we learn about the history between the two family lines. On page 9, Amir read from a book that says “Pashtuns had persecuted and oppressed the Hazaras … the reason was that Pashtuns were Sunni Muslims, while Hazaras were Shi’a. This sets in the idea that the Pashtuns killed the Hazaras simply because they were not Sunni Muslims, resulting in the discrimination in society against the Hazaras. Throughout the novel, there were many scenes of discrimination such as how Hassan was never invited to Amir’s birthday parties, Assef constantly picking on Ali and Hassan as they are from a different class, and especially when Assef was raping Hassan. Assef believed that it was his right to rape Hassan because in his eyes, he was only a Hazara, an object which he can own and control. The Author Khaled Hosseini also used many literary devices to emphasize the effects of discrimination in society. This is shown on page 298 when Assef says “Afghanistan is like a beautiful mansion littered with garbage, and someone has to take out the garbage.” This is a metaphoric device where Khaled Hosseini had Assef regard the garbage as the Hazaras. He also clearly portrayed Assef in terms of being Hitler by having the same ethnic and political views. Another technique the author used to show discrimination was on page 380 when General Taheri says “they will want to know why there is a Hazara boy living with my daughter.” This is when the General begins to question Amir’s actions. This shows that even a likeable character like the General, has a nastier side and that even he would show discrimination. More