Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more