earticle

영어

This essay seeks to analyze Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner with a specific focus on its ethico-ontological and political aspects related to mourning and livability. The investigation draws from various theoretical frameworks, notably Judith Butler’s discussions on livability, mourning, precariousness, and cohabitation, as well as Jacques Derrida’s arguments concerning the ethical challenges of mourning. The Kite Runner attained instant bestseller status upon its publication, driven by geopolitical events such as the post-9-11 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, commonly referred to as the War on Terrorism. However, its remarkable success raises questions about its apparent disregard for the depiction of American intervention and its repercussions. While the novel presents universal themes like father-son relationships and an Orientalistic portrayal of Afghanistan, a country largely unfamiliar to American readers before the post-9-11 conflicts, this essay goes beyond ideological critique. It strives to explore the ethico-ontological significance of mourning, focusing on the exclusion of characters like Hassan, which sheds light on the notion of Afghanistan’s ’unlivability’ for its people. Towards the end of the analysis, the essay also addresses the (im)possibility of proper mourning and the potential for cohabitation.