The Kite Runner - culture

In 1970's Afghanistan, tradition and religion play a major role in their society day to day. For example, 7 times a day the Muslim population bows down and prays to Allah, which is a common Islamic tradition and is mentioned in the Qur'an. This tradition also has its effect to the story - when Amir is rushing out to find Hassan, he skips the prayer and feels like a sinner as he canvasses the area to find his friend. Later on in his life, in 1980's Fremont, California, his marriage and his father's funeral take place in a Muslim mosque.

In Islamic and Afghan culture, the Hazaras, historically a servant ethnic group, are working for Amir's wealthy father Baba. Baba treats his Hazara servants as family, and his Hazara servant Rahim Khan, is regarded as his brother. Discrimination to this group is present in every day Afghan society ; teachers at school tell students that Hazaras are less than human, Hazaras are the butt of jokes and ridicule, and are cursed to serve for Afghans forever.

Baba is the respectable, wise, and wealthy father of Amir, the main character. Baba is a rebel to society. He tells his son to ignore the bigoted lies that his teachers tell him about the Hazara people, doesn't believe in Allah (God), and doesn't abuse his servants. He is knowledgable of politics in Afghanistan and hates Russia, who later invaded his home country. Later in the story, Baba develops lung cancer and stubbornly refuses to be treated by Chemotherapy. Baba grew weak and anemic and within his last days, arranged a Afghan style wedding for his son and his lover. On his deathbed, he retained his stubbornness and refused to take his medicine for the night. Baba represented to renegades in society, the ones who judge rightness based on morals and not on the governemt.