Feburary 21st

What do you think is a central theme in the Kite Runner? Is this a universal theme or specific to Afghanistan or Middle Eastern culture? Use examples from your life or other cultures we've studied.

I think a central theme of the Kite Runner is the virtuous suffering for the sake of others, like Jesus. We've seen quite alot of Jesus figures this year- Hassan, Simon from Lord of the Flies, and the suffering savior worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity- which means that it's a universal theme, not specific to the Middle East.

Being raped wasn't the only time Hassan suffered for Amir. He was a servant! He'd wake up at the crack of dawn every morning to work- cleaning, cooking, and doing manual labor- so Amir wouldn't be inconvenienced with doing it himself. However, his ultimate sacrifice was the incident that took place in the alley after the kite fighting tournament. After that, Hassan was broken. His life was ruined, all so he could get Amir's kite back. He was alot like the timid Jesus, accepting fate without resistance- the Jesus worshipped in Russian Orthodox Christianity.

Suffering is so prominent in Russian culture, so naturally it would be praised. Boris and Gleb became national and religious heroes after accepting their death without resistance, which we read in To Serve God and Uplift Humanity. In the Russian short story 'The Servant', a muzhik (servant) is stranded on an island with two government officials who force him to work for them under horrific conditions. He ultimately saves their lives by getting them off the island, even though he remains stranded. For this he was praised. Russians pride themselves in surpressing self interest for the good of others. Perhaps it's because they want to see themselves as acting like the suffering Christ they worship.

Another Christ like figure who was sacrificed was Simon, from Lord of the Flies. He gave the ultimate possesion, his life, trying to inform the rest of the boys what they'd feared and fought over was the most harmless of things. Simon is the most obvious Jesus figure we've studied thus far, and there are many parallels between he and Hassan. From their love of nature, to their timid nature, to the sacrifices they made, they are like brothers, both of whom posses qualities that mirror those of Jesus.

Suffering is a central theme in not only the Kite Runner, but many cultures we've studied this year. I think part of the reason why it's so universal is because it mirrors Christianity- the world's largeat religion.