An Introduction

� � The Kite Runner is the first Afghan novel to

be written in English. � Over 9 million copies sold worldwide. � Translated into over 25 languages. � A Thousand Splendid Suns followed the

success of The Kite Runner.

Introduction

� � Khaled Hosseini was

born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

� Moved to the US in 1980 � Graduated from med

school in 1996. � The Kite Runner is his

first novel.

The Author

� � The Kite Runner opens in Kabul in the

mid-1970s. Raised in the same household but separated by class, Amir and his best friend are inseparable until a tragic event changes their relationship forever. Their intertwined lives and their fates reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them.

Kite Runner - Synopsis

� A Thousand Splendid Suns, focuses on the tumultuous lives and relationship of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women. Mariam, an illegitimate child, suffers from the stigma surrounding her birth and the abuse she faces throughout her marriage. Laila, born a generation later, is comparatively privileged during her youth until their lives intersect.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Synopsis

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� � Due to its central location in Eurasia,

Afghanistan has faced many invaders throughout its history. �  Persian Greek �  Arab Turk �  Mongol British �  Soviet America

Historical Background

� Tribal System

Pashtun �  Most powerful �  Persian �  Sunni Muslim

Hazara �  Least powerful �  Mongol �  Shia Muslims

� � Emerged as a nation in 1747 under Ahmad Shah.

� The Father of Modern Afghanistan � Muslim and Pashtun

Modern Afghanistan

� � Peaceful rule until 1973 when

Mohammad Daoud joins with Afghan communist to over throw his brother-in-law, the king.

� Afghanistan move from being a monarchy to a republic.

� 5 years later, Daoud and his family are murdered when the communist party decides to take over the government.

Modern Afghanistan

� � Mid 70s – Afghanistan is pro-communist and anti-

religious while its neighbours (Iran and Pakistan) are strongly Islamic.

� 1979 – Soviet Army invades and sets up a government in Kabul.

Deterioration beings…

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� � 1980s – to counter the Soviet presence, Islamic fighters

declare war on the Soviets, and being attempts to overthrow them.

� A series of tribal/military groups work together to achieve this goal.

� To help defeat communism, many of these groups were trained and generously funded by the CIA (America).

� 1989 – Russia pulls out of Afghanistan.

Deterioration begins…

� �  Russian casualties: 15,000 �  Afghan Casualties: 1 million �  6.2 million Afghans escape the country �  Afghanistan is reduced to rubble

Aftermath

� � The tribal groups could not agree on how to share

power. � Civil war broke out among them, dividing

Afghanistan into several independent zones.

Recent History

� � As a result of the civil war, the Taliban successfully

rise to power. � Talib = seeker of knowledge

� Taliban is the plural form � Come from Pakistan and supported by them.

� Pashtun � Sunni Muslim

The Taliban

� � Have become infamous for their repression of

women. � Not allowed to work outside the home. � Cannot leave home without a male. � Not allowed to attend school. � Must wear Burqa at all times. � No cosmetics � All homes must have windows painted so women

cannot be seen from the outside.

The Taliban

� �  Public stoning �  Removal of fingers �  Whipping �  Execution

Punishment for transgressions

� �  No music, movies, or tv. �  All citizens must be Islamic. �  Men must not shave or trim their beards. �  Mandatory prayer. �  No internet

Other Taliban Rules

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