Methods of Domination: Towards a Theory of Domestic Colonialism in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner
Date of Award
Spring 5-2019
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
English
First Advisor
Linda Allen
Advisor Department
English
Abstract
While the canon of post-colonial literature has been heavily researched, little scholarship can be found connecting post-colonial theory to instances of colonial tropes within autonomous nations, an event which may be described as “domestic colonialism.” This thesis will examine Khaled Hosseini’s work, The Kite Runner (2003), as a modern work of post-colonial literature, as it reveals the methods of domination present in 20th century Afghanistan. I will evaluate the text based on the definitions of traditional settler colonialism and anthropoligal classifications of intergroup domination in order to highlight the narrative of domestic colonialism that is present within the text. Through evaluating Hassan’s role as a subjugated character within the work, including the methods through which his subjugated status is maintained, I assert that The Kite Runner is an allegorical text that warns against social hierarchies and illustrates domestic colonialism within Afghanistan.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Duke, Lauren E., "Methods of Domination: Towards a Theory of Domestic Colonialism in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner" (2019). Honors Theses. 679.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/679