The Kite Runner...Propaganda?!

For many the word Propaganda strikes visions of Hitler, communism, or corrupt campaigns. It is a word that owns a distinctively negative connotation. It is a powerful word, because it influences and controls the mind set and decision making for an individual and or for large populations. According to the Merriam- Webster Online Dictionary propaganda is defined as “ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause. A public action having such an effect.” While this definition does not necessarily emphasize it, propaganda’s power can also positively influence an individual or population. In this way, I view San Jose State’s deliberate implementation of Kite Runner as “good” propaganda, allowing many oppressed groups to be seen and heard, and to shape the readers’ perspectives of Afghanistan.

When referring to the Merriam- Webster definition of propaganda the word, deliberate is used to describe how the ideas, facts, or allegations are spread. In this sense, San Jose State has used the campus reading program and the novel to deliberately spread an idea or even more, a perspective. For the 2006-2007 academic year, San Jose State’s living and learning theme is Diversity. Because SJSU has such a large population of different people, people of color, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, etc. use of the campus reading program is a promising way of grasping students, faculty, and staff.

As in many settings, institutions, and minds when referring to diversity many resort to a black and white image, and if not black and white it is typical to be only associated with race and color. Through implementing a novel such as Kite Runner a different culture and lifestyle is introduced to the SJSU community. Not only a different culture, but a culture that has many levels of negative views associated with it. Within Kite Runner there are many aspects of diversity that are introduced including the treatment of children, women, elderly, and ethnic groups. Because SJSU is determined to spread diversity, the novel Kite Runner deliberately aided in conveying this message.

On a larger scale, this novel holds strong impact in changing how many view Afghanistan and the citizens of Afghanistan. Since 9-11 and the War on Terrorism different perspectives and ideas float among our population of who is oppressed, how that impacts the U.S., and how the U.S. should or should not be aiding. After 9-11 many viewed all citizens of Afghanistan to be part of the Taliban, terrorists. As the war began, and as time began to heal wounds, large portions of the U.S. population grew more educated of the situation over seas, but were and still are blind to the situation. This novel gives insight as to the transformation of the country over decades. More importantly it gives insight on how “invisible” groups are oppressed, as well as more obvious groups such as women.

It is typical to associate oppression in Afghanistan with the oppression of women, and only of women. Prior to reading the novel typically the only form of oppression emphasized in association with Afghanistan was that women must cover their faces, that women should not speak, and that women must marry he whom her father chooses. After reading the novel one sees the oppression of children. The author in detail explains the lifestyle of children forced to live in orphanages because their parents have been killed or were separated from them. Not only are children not taken care of in orphanages, but they are used by leaders as either servants or sex objects. Another oppressed group mentioned in the novel are the Hazaras. We see the oppression of this group even through loved ones. While Amir’s father, referred to as Baba, has his half Hazara son, and loves him, he hides this identity and allows Hassan to act as a servant in his home. Even in the schools Amir’s teachers would preach to frown upon those of which are Hazara. These are just a few examples of discrimination facing Afghans. These are the points that the author must emphasize and refer to, in order to educate and gain sympathy for the narrator and for this nation.

One way of which propaganda is successfully implemented is through the use or abuse of human emotion. One emotion that controls the thoughts of and the actions of people is sympathy, and compassion. The novel Kite Runner reaches out to the audience through the use of children. In the first half of the novel the narrator describes his life and the life of his friend Hassan, as children. The narrator grasps the readers’ sympathy by explaining the life of Hassan and Hassan’s father as Hazaras in Afghanistan. The treatment that Hassan receives primarily among other children is horrific. The ideas that Amir, the narrator, explains that were taught in the schools is dumbfounding. The treatment of the Taliban toward Sohrab, Hassan’s son is frightening. All of these are examples of how the author strikes the emotions of the reader through children.

Another way of which the author grasps the readers’ emotions is through building a bridge between the author and the reader through proximity. While the narrator does grow up in Afghanistan, the narrator later moves to Fremont, attends SJSU, and begins a life in San Francisco. At this point the reader views the narrator no longer as an Afghan, but as a peer. At this point Amir is no longer half way around the world, but a student in our class, or the man in the Volkswagon stationed next to us at a stop light. Then, through placing Amir back in his homeland, the narrator once again strikes the reader through sympathizing with the peer’s new emotions and struggles. The reader trusts the narrator, and the author, because Amir is now an American.

Kite Runner serves as propaganda because it deliberately conveys a message to the SJSU population. Because it is opening the eyes of many to look further into diversity, and further into the war of which we are a part of it is “good” propaganda. Propaganda tactics that the author used included the use of children and proximity to gain compassion for the narrator, and for a nation. This fictional novel is eye opening, and opens the door for discussion and growth among our SJSU campus community.