MORALITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE KITE RUNNER

Abstract

This article focuses on the issues of social class in relation to the two protagonists' growth into adolescence. Set in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner touches on the turmoil the country faces and shows the troubling effect it has on two children, which the essay will mainly focus on. It will specifically determine whether social class and religion have a direct influence on their moral development. With both children from differing religions and social classes, their attitudes to life also differ. Comparisons are to be made over the children's reaction to specific events in the novel to examine whether this has aided or hindered their moral growth. It will directly focus on the children's attitudes and beliefs reflected towards each other to finally determine who has better moral development, the child from the ‘superior’ religion and affluent background; or the child from the ‘inferior’ religion with a much more deprived background. This decision will be made through careful analysis of the text and secondary criticisms.