The Kite Runner And Nigeria: Exploring Pragmatism In Challenging Circumstances

Natalie Brooks

6 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

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Pragmatism in the Face of Adversity: Amir and the Nigerian Context

Survival Strategies:

How do individuals cope with hardship? In The Kite Runner, Amir's journey is rife with pragmatic choices, some morally questionable. His initial abandonment of Hassan, a decision born from fear and self-preservation, is a stark example of pragmatism in the face of adversity. Later, his desperate attempts to atone for his past actions also reflect a pragmatic approach to achieving redemption.

• Amir's Pragmatism:
  • Abandoning Hassan to protect his own status.
  • Seeking refuge in America to escape the consequences of his actions in Afghanistan.
  • Actively seeking Sohrab to redeem himself.

Similarly, Nigerians facing poverty, political instability, and corruption often employ pragmatic strategies for survival. The informal economy, characterized by street vending, artisan work, and other self-employment ventures, becomes a crucial lifeline for many. Strong community support systems, including extended family networks and religious organizations, also provide essential social safety nets.

• Pragmatic Survival in Nigeria:
  • Reliance on the informal economy.
  • Community-based mutual aid systems.
  • Negotiating corrupt systems to access essential services.

The Moral Cost of Pragmatism:

The pragmatic choices made by Amir and individuals in Nigeria often come with significant moral costs. Amir's betrayal of Hassan haunts him throughout the novel, leading to years of guilt and self-loathing. This highlights the ethical dilemma inherent in choosing survival over upholding strict moral principles.

• Moral Consequences for Amir:
  • Decades of guilt and self-recrimination.
  • The fracturing of his relationship with Baba.
  • The emotional toll of his actions.

Nigerians frequently face similar dilemmas. Navigating a corrupt system might necessitate compromises that violate personal ethical codes. Choosing between accepting substandard healthcare due to lack of resources and risking further hardship is another example of the moral complexities inherent in survival strategies. The constant negotiation between survival and ethical conduct forms a significant aspect of the Nigerian experience.

• Moral Dilemmas in Nigeria:
  • Compromising ethical principles to navigate a corrupt system.
  • Accepting substandard living conditions to ensure basic needs.
  • Choosing between family loyalty and personal safety.

Betrayal and Redemption Across Cultures:

The Impact of Betrayal:

Betrayal, a central theme in The Kite Runner, resonates deeply across cultures. Amir's betrayal of Hassan shatters their friendship and leaves lasting scars on both individuals. This act of betrayal forms the crux of Amir's journey towards redemption.

• Amir's Betrayal of Hassan: The profound impact on both individuals. The lasting psychological and emotional consequences. The ripple effect on their families.

In Nigeria, betrayal manifests in various forms. Family betrayals, political betrayals, and betrayals of trust within communities can have devastating consequences, undermining social cohesion and leading to cycles of conflict. The psychological toll of these betrayals can be immense, eroding trust and creating lasting emotional wounds.

• Betrayal in Nigerian Society: Family disputes over inheritance. Political corruption and its effects on the population. Betrayals of trust within communities leading to violence or social fragmentation.

The Path to Redemption:

Amir's journey towards redemption in The Kite Runner offers a compelling narrative of atonement and healing. His efforts to rescue Sohrab, Hassan's son, represent a pragmatic attempt to compensate for his past actions. This is a complex and challenging process, highlighting the difficulties involved in truly atoning for past wrongs.

• Amir's Redemption: His efforts to rescue Sohrab. His facing of his past trauma. The ultimate reconciliation with his past.

The possibilities for redemption in the Nigerian context are similarly complex. Individual efforts towards reconciliation and healing are frequently intertwined with the need for societal reforms to address systemic issues like corruption and inequality. Community-based initiatives focused on forgiveness, peacebuilding, and social justice play a critical role in the process of collective redemption.

• Redemption in Nigeria: Community-based peacebuilding initiatives. Individual efforts at reconciliation within families and communities. Advocacy for social justice and systemic reforms.

Cultural Context and the Universal Themes of The Kite Runner

Afghan Culture and the Nigerian Experience:

The cultural context profoundly shapes the characters' experiences and decisions in The Kite Runner. The rigid social hierarchy in Afghanistan, particularly the distinctions between Pashtuns and Hazaras, plays a pivotal role in shaping Amir's actions. The emphasis on honor and masculinity in Afghan culture also influences the characters' behavior.

• Afghan Cultural Context: Pashtunwali code of conduct. Social hierarchy and its impact on relationships. The concept of honor and masculinity.

Nigerian culture, with its diverse ethnic groups and traditions, also presents unique challenges and opportunities. The strong emphasis on family and community in many Nigerian cultures provides a vital support system, but it can also create pressures that constrain individual choices. The influence of religion, particularly Islam and Christianity, also significantly shapes social norms and values.

• Nigerian Cultural Context: The importance of extended family networks. The influence of religion and traditional beliefs. Diverse ethnic and cultural practices.

Postcolonial Perspectives:

The post-Soviet context of Afghanistan in The Kite Runner presents parallels to the postcolonial experience in Nigeria. Both contexts are marked by the lingering effects of past power dynamics, economic exploitation, and social inequalities. The impact of these historical power structures continues to shape the present-day realities and challenges faced by individuals in both countries.

• Post-Soviet Afghanistan: The lingering effects of war and political instability. The disruption of social structures. The struggle for identity and nation-building.

• Postcolonial Nigeria: The legacy of British colonialism. Economic inequalities and their social consequences. The struggle for political stability and good governance.

Conclusion:

This article has demonstrated the remarkable resonance between the themes of pragmatism, betrayal, and redemption explored in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and the lived experiences within the complexities of Nigeria. Despite vast geographical and cultural differences, the human struggles depicted in the novel offer insightful parallels to the challenges faced in navigating difficult circumstances. The universality of these themes highlights the enduring power of literature to connect us across cultures and to explore the intricate human condition.

Call to Action: Further exploration of The Kite Runner and its relevance to the Nigerian context can offer valuable insights into navigating challenging circumstances. Consider how the strategies for survival and redemption portrayed in the novel might inform discussions about building resilience and fostering positive change in Nigeria and beyond. Engage with the themes of The Kite Runner to better understand the complexities of pragmatism in challenging circumstances, and how literature can offer powerful insights into the human condition across vastly different cultures.