Abstract:
The study analyzes (mis)representation of two ethnic groups of Pashtun and Persian (Farsi
speaking) characters in the novels of an Afghan-American writer, Khaled Hosseini. His novels
included in the study are The Kite Runner (TKR), A Thousand Splendid Suns (ATSS) and And The
Mountains Echoed (ATME). The ethnic groups belong to Afghanistan which has been pushed
into a new war after the event of 9/11. The characters are analyzed in the framework of Mahmood
Mamdani’s theory of “good” vs. “bad” Muslims and Fernando Ferrara’s ‘Theory and Model for
the Structural Analysis of Fiction’ which has three layers of analysis i.e. surface structure, middle
structure and deep structure. The analysis shows that Pashtun characters are portrayed with traits
of cowardice, selfishness and immorality. Some Pashtun characters are portrayed as “good”
Muslims due to Americanization/Westernization and hostility toward Taliban. Others having
sympathy with Taliban are depicted as “bad” Muslims. They are more under influence of their
code of life called Pashtunwali. They are shown as rich who exploit other ethnicities. Many
Pashtun and Farsi-speaking characters challenge Pashtunwali for the reason that Pashtun cultural
values are the main factors of disturbance and backwardness of people in the country. Farsi
speaking characters are depicted as brave, loyal, victimized, exploited and oppressed (traits). They
are shown as poor and helpless people who suffer under dominating influence of Pashtuns in
Afghanistan. They are depicted as “good” Muslims either because of being modern and
Westernized or due to their hatred for Taliban. The presence of Americans is justified in the name
of civilizing “bad” Muslims through Westernization and Americanization. However,
Westernized/Americanized characters misrepresent cultural values of Afghanistan.
