“Political and social protest writing focuses on the impact of the clash of cultures.” Explore the significance of cultural difference in the Kite Runner.

Hosseini explores cultural differences by portraying the relationship between Pashtuns and Hazaras in Afghanistan, as well as the reactions of Afghan citizens living under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Hosseini depicts how Hazaras are discriminated against and marginalized by the Pashtun majority by illustrating how Hassan and Ali are treated throughout their society. Hazaras are an ethnic group of Shiite Muslims, who have Asian features and are a discriminated minority in Afghanistan. The majority of citizens in Afghanistan are ethnic Pashtuns, who are Sunni Muslims that occupy positions of power throughout the nation. Ali and Hassan are both openly ridiculed by Pashtun citizens and live as poor servants in Baba's household. Both Ali and Hassan are uneducated and do not have access to many opportunities throughout Kabul because of their ethnicity. Baba and Amir are essentially Ali and Hassan's masters, who are forced to suppress their true feelings of affection towards them because it is considered socially unacceptable. Baba even hides the fact that he is Hassan's biological father because of the ethnic prejudice surrounding Hazaras. In addition to Hosseini's portrayal of the relationship between the Pashtuns and Hazaras, he also illustrates how the Afghan citizens react to the Taliban regime. When Amir returns to Afghanistan as an adult, he discovers that his home country is destroyed and the citizens live in constant fear. The Taliban is a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political group that abides by Sharia law, which is a strict interpretation of the Quran. Afghanistan is transformed into an austere nation, where male citizens are forced to wear long beards and follow the religious teachings of the Quran or suffer severe consequences. Amir learns that secular and liberal citizens live as prisoners in a conservative, violent nation.