A Lost Kite Flying Again

Khaled Hosseini (1965--) is an Afghan-born American novelist, whose debut TheKite Runner is the first English novel written by an Afghan writer. In this novel theauthor draws a vivid description of Afghans’ living conditions under complexhistorical backgrounds, and delineates Afghan culture with full compassion, whichhelps readers uncover the mysterious veil of Afghanistan. With the increasingcommunication between different cultures, the issue of cultural identity has become afocus in literary studies. Centering on theories of cultural identity and the Other, thisthesis makes a systematic research on the cultural identity of Afghanistan reflected inthe novel. By analyzing the fate of characters, this thesis attempts to discuss the crisesof Afghan cultural identity on the levels of culture, ethnicity and gender, and how theidentity is reconstructed in the corresponding aspects. Chapter one introduces thetheoretical background of cultural identity and the Other. Chapter two interprets thecrises of Afghan cultural identity manifested in the novel. On the cultural level,Afghanistan becomes the Other living under the cultural hegemony of America. Onthe ethnic level, the Hazaras are the Other of Pashtuns, being discriminated againstand badly treated. On the level of gender, Afghan women became the submissiveOther of men, being silent, obedient and bearing the double moral standard of society.It is such subordinate position of being the Other that makes it impossible to conductan equal-footed dialogue between different cultures, ethnic groups and genders. Theidentity of the Other cannot be objectively, correctly and comprehensively recognizedby the outside, thus crises happen. Chapter three devotes to analyze the reconstructionprocess of cultural identity, which includes building up national pride, fostering thesense of ethnic equality, and wakening female consciousness. This thesis explores thepredicament of Afghan cultural identity and reveals that by conscious efforts theproblem of cultural identity of the weak Other side in the cultural contest could besolved to a certain extent and identity can be reestablished.