The Kite Runner and Contemporary Issues Essay
Amir is told by Farid, “You should write about Afghanistan… Tell the world what the Taliban are
doing to our country,” to which he replies, “I’m not that kind of writer” (235-236). However, it
seems that Amir has become that type of writer in telling his story, exploring the complexity of
Afghanistan in the story he tells.
For your final assessment for The Kite Runner, you will be exploring a topic or theme that is
addressed in the novel and also speaks to a contemporary issue (political, social, ethical, local,
national or international). You will locate at least 1 article that addresses this issue in
contemporary society, and then connect this issue to specific episodes and passages in the
novel. Pay special attention to passages that will help you identify contradictions, tensions, and
multiple perspectives in the novel.
Here are some potential topics:
gender relationships/gender politics - Soraya discusses the double standard that exists for
Afghan women, as she is seen as “damaged goods” for her previous relationship. Hassan’s
mother, Sanaubar, reflects the negative reaction to female sexuality. Soraya’s mother must
promise to never sing in public again after her marriage, thereby silencing her.
Here are some potential ideas for contemporary connections:
 Hillary Clinton, politics and gender
 Girls and education, or the lack thereof, throughout the world (remember Malala?)
 Women and the pay gap
 Free Kesha
race/ethnicity - The story shows how the lives of ordinary people are affected by domestic and
international power politics. Hosseini shows the division between the two factions of Afghan
society. Other power struggles and political tensions also exist in the novel, such as the soviet
invasion, the rise of the Taliban, Amir’s feelings of inadequacy in regards to his father, Soraya’s
rebellion against her parents, Amir’s physical fights with Assef. How is power related to one’s
class, gender or ethnicity?
 How is this still relevant to world conflicts or society today?
 Consider hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, almost all of the wars and conflicts in the world
right now.
 Three muslim students murdered in Chapel Hill
 San Bernadino shootings
 Immigration (Syrian refugees, Mexican immigrants, etc.)
Father/son dynamics - Fathers and sons often have complicated relationships in the novel.
Amir struggles to live up to his father’s expectations and is jealous of Baba’s affection for
Hassan, Hassan and Ali have a close relationship, yet Baba is actually his father. Amir
eventually becomes a father to Sohrab. What do you notice about this dynamic and how it
impacts the characters? There are many modern-day examples of this father/son dynamic and
how it impacts an individual’s choices.
 consider the Bush political family - was Jeb trying to live up to family pressure?
 the Oregon standoff - was Bundy trying to live up to his father’s dynasty?
 Here’s an article about politicans and their fathers:
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2007/12/06/like-father-like-candidate
religious extremism - Early in the novel, Baba tells Amir, “God help us all if Afghanistan ever
falls into” the hands of the mullahs. We later see evidence that religious power is corrupt when
there is a cleric present at Ghazi stadium during the public stoning, and he claims, “God says
that every sinner must be punished.” Assef later claims that God wants him to “live for a
reason,” which reflects the arrogance of those in power who think their actions are sanctioned
by God. The Taliban further reflects the horrors of religious extremism.
What are some examples of religious extremism in our current world?
 The Taliban, ISIS
 Current politics in our country
 Terrorism for religious purposes
 Here’s a link to some topics: http://www.pewresearch.org/topics/religious-extremism/
master/servant relationships - What is the nature of master/servant relationships and is
betrayal inherent in this type of dynamic? Baba betrays Ali, Amir betrays Hassan. Both men
have betrayed someone who is “like a brother” or literally a brother to them. Is there something
about the master/servant relationship and the power dynamic it represents that encourages this
type of betrayal?
Are there other issues in our society that reflect this same dynamic?
 employee/employer relationships
 human trafficking
 modern day slavery
redemption - despite the shame and violence depicted in the novel, the ending offers hope and
a chance for Amir to “be good again.” What is redemption? Does Amir deserve redemption, and
does he achieve it? Can people in our society gain redemption for their wrongs or sins?
 In “On War and Redemption,” http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/on-warand-redemption/, Timothy Kudo reflects on the morality of war and the possibilities for
redemption after his return home in 2011 from fighting in Afghanistan.
 In “A Bachelor’s in Redemption,”
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/nyregion/education-a-bachelor-s-in-redemption.html
Carin Rubenstein tells the story of the transformative power of education in her profile of
inmates at Sing Sing graduating from college.
rape culture Hosseini claims that rape in the novel is a metaphor for how Afghans felt they
were treated after the Soviet Union left and the Western countries failed to help. Rape is a way
to exert power or control over another. The instances of rape in the novel reflect this power
dynamic, both literally and metaphorically.
Here are some starting points for considering rape in our current society:
 rape on college campuses https://www.whitehouse.gov/1is2many
 in the N.F.L
 via high school hazing
 Bill Cosby
 rape in India
For this essay, you must:
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include a thesis statement that sets forth your theme or claim and applies it to both the
novel and a contemporary example or issue
analyze your issue or theme in all its complexity with textual evidence from the Kite
Runner as well as your outside source(s)
integrate all evidence (direct quotations as well as paraphrased material) properly and
explain how it is significant to your central focus
use MLA format for headings as well as all citations and your Works Cited page
Your essay should be around 3 pages in length, and should be uploaded to turnitin.com
Due dates:
topic proposal: due Thursday, March 3
article/research due: Friday, March 5, by the end of class
first draft due:
final draft due:
RUBRIC
points
possible
Introduction
10
Thesis/Overall Premise
10
Choice of evidence from the novel
Integration of evidence from the novel
15
Choice of evidence from outside research
Use of evidence from outside research
15
Analysis/Logical Progression of Ideas
20
Conclusion
10
MLA Format
citations
headings
Works Cited page
10
Mechanics/Editing
10
points
given