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In the novel The Kite Runner, does Khaled Hosseini support New Orientalism?

Essentially, New Orientalism is the prejudiced belief that Western culture and ideals are superior to those of the Islamic Middle East. Ideologies associated with New Orientalism include the beliefs that the Islamic Middle East is dangerous, undemocratic, politically underdeveloped, violent, and unjust. In his novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini favorably portrays America and Western civilization while he criticizes Middle Eastern culture and beliefs. One could argue that Hosseini supports and shares New Orientalist...

Essentially, New Orientalism is the prejudiced belief that Western culture and ideals are superior to those of the Islamic Middle East. Ideologies associated with New Orientalism include the beliefs that the Islamic Middle East is dangerous, undemocratic, politically underdeveloped, violent, and unjust. In his novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini favorably portrays America and Western civilization while he criticizes Middle Eastern culture and beliefs. One could argue that Hosseini supports and shares New Orientalist ideology in the way he associates America with freedom, opportunity, and safety while portraying Afghanistan as restrictive and dangerous. Hosseini even uses characters in his novel to advance the New Orientalist agenda. Assef loves Hitler, while Baba supports respected American presidents like Ronald Reagan. Throughout the novel, traumatic events only take place in the Middle East, such as child rape, brutal public executions, and social inequality. Amir and Baba's success in America severely contrasts with the overwhelmingly terrifying portrayal of the Middle East. Also, Hosseini suggests that many Muslims are in fact radicals with extreme viewpoints. Amir is portrayed as the hero traveling from America who has to enter into "the heart of darkness” to save Sohrab from a violent, dangerous life.

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