"Blood" Is Thicker Than Water:A Comparative Study Of The Kite Runner And A Thousand Splendid Suns

As an Afghan American writer,Khaled Hosseini has won his popularity and reputation in recent years in the literary world.His first novel The Kite Runner won immediate success when it appeared in 2003.Published in 2007,his second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns was highly praised by the critics as well,which catapulted Hosseini into the list of mainstream writers.The Kite Runner depicts the brotherhood between two men – Hassan and Amir,who belong to different races and classes.While A Thousand Splendid Suns centers on the sisterhood between two women,Laila and Mariam with different growth environments and education backgrounds.Under the Afghanistan cultural background,both the relationships have experienced ups and downs and undergone three stages,from temporary unity and gradual estrangement to eternal bond.Through the close reading of the texts,this thesis makes a comparative study of the common theme of “blood” is thicker than water in the two novels.In other words,it attempts to analyze the time-tested friendship between men and women from the perspectives of culture and history in the particular context of Afghanistan.This kind of friendship evolves afterwards into family affection,regardless of race,class and education background,revealing the glory of humanity in Afghan culture.This thesis contains five chapters.Chapter One briefly introduces Khaled Hosseini and his works The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns,makes a general survey of the study of the novels both at home and abroad,as well as the significance of the thesis.Chapter Two focuses on the first stage of the protagonists' friendship development – temporary unity in the two novels.In The Kite Runner,the complex emotions of Amir and Hassan are greatly influenced by racial discrimination and the master-servant relation.As for A Thousand Splendid Suns,the sharp contrast of Laila and Mariam in family environments and education backgrounds leads to their shorttime connection.Chapter Three is the concrete manifestation of their estrangement.Hassan and Amir's contradictions are sharpened on account of Hassan's sufferings from the unexpected harm and Amir's intentional expulsion.While the hostile relations between Laila and Mariam are embodied from aspects of the arduous household chores and direct verbal attack.Chapter Four expounds on the establishment of their eternal bond.Amir and Hassan's brotherhood is consolidated during the process of Amir's resolute return to Kabul and wholehearted rescue of Hassan's son Sohrab.Likewise,Laila and Mariam establish lasting bond due to Mariam's unselfish affection for Lalia's daughter and their joint fight against Rasheed.In this sense,the theme of “blood” is thicker than water is fully demonstrated.Chapter Five makes a conclusion of the thesis,points out that set in war-stricken Afghanistan,these two novels tell the touching story about family and friendship,love and faith.Through his two works,Hosseini shows us a complicated yet affectionate Afghanistan,revealing the strength and hope of Afghan culture.