In “The Literature of the Middle East and South Asia,” Laura Winkiel writes: “These stories help us to understand the complex questions that Middle Easterners and South Asian people ask as they stand at a crossroads of cultural and religious change.” Explain how this statement applies to one of the selections you read. Be sure to include the title of the selection and explain the crossroads that it illustrates.
The statement by Laura Winkiel applies to Khalid Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner". The novel explores the complex questions faced by individuals in Afghanistan, a country that stands at a crossroads of cultural and religious change.
"The Kite Runner" delves into the themes of loyalty, betrayal, guilt, redemption, and the impact of political turmoil on personal relationships. The protagonist, Amir, grapples with his own identity and questions of morality as he navigates the changing landscape of Afghan society. The novel depicts the intersection of traditional Afghan culture with modern influences, such as the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban.
Through the characters and their struggles, Hosseini asks profound questions about the nature of personal responsibility, the consequences of silence and inaction, and the possibility of forgiveness and redemption. The novel presents a nuanced portrait of Afghan society and the challenges faced by individuals trying to reconcile their past with an uncertain future.
In this way, "The Kite Runner" exemplifies the crossroads of cultural and religious change in Afghanistan, shedding light on the complexities and contradictions inherent in the country's history and contemporary reality.