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.

Popular posts from this blog

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...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

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...