Critical Essay on Theme of Pride in Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Introduction

Pride can lead to failure and self-destruction or accomplishment and self-fulfilment. It is a character that cannot be easily avoided because once of is part of a person's nature then it becomes inseparable from their lives. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a book that explores the life of the author from childhood to her early days of adulthood when she was in Iran during and the aftermath of the Islamic revolution that changed the lives of many people. The title of the book refers to Persepolis which is the Persian Empire. The book was categorized among the best of nonfiction stories in France. Persepolis begins by giving an account of the aftermath of the Iranian war was geared towards bringing down an American dictator called Shah of Iran who was a dictator. The situation did improve though because it led to the rise of another hardliner who forced the people into Islamic doctrines where women and girls were required to put on veils. Marjane grew up in the hostile environment where power and dictatorship prevailed. Though her parents are secular, the Islamic laws needed everyone to convert. On the other hand, the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a story of a Sunni Muslim named Amir who fights to establish his identity after going through a dramatic childhood event. The novel opens up with Amir in the United States where he has a vivid a memory of his childhood. Amir struggles with finding his identity with his father but finds himself in a single parenthood family. Besides, the family struggles he is also faced with socioeconomic and political challenges in Afghanistan.

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Pride is depicted in both books as a theme portrayed by characters. In Persepolis, Marjane is seen identifying herself with her background she came . She regards herself as a modern person together with her family and they do not want to be associated with the old times where people were backward. She disregards everything related to ancient times. Besides, Marjane considers her and family to be too religious and calls herself the last prophet. The religion she is in gives her freedom and instead of being staunch in matters of faith her social life becomes dominant. It is a scenario that explores her life of pride where they consider themselves as the individual and unique people. Her family is regarded as the untouchables. The author utters words of pride for instance by saying that everyone should have a car implying that no poor people are allowed within her areas of work, family, and social life. Additionally, as the rest of her fellow citizens consider westernization and Islamic religion as being incompatible she sees no problem as it gives her the freedom she desires. Also, the Satrapi family shows a sense of pride as they do not want to follow the Islamic religion as they consider it is imprisoning and denies people the freedom they desire. Pride made the author and family be above the rest, but later they lost their fame and liberty and submissive to the Islamic laws. Eventually after the execution of Anoosh Marjane gives up and her downfall begins, and he disappears. After the overpowering of her fame she had to bow down to the government and no more extended views religion as a tool of freedom but had to be submissive.

On the other hand in the book Kite runner by Hosseini explores the pride that is depicted by the Sunni Muslims in Afghanistan. Unlike the Shi'a Muslims who are the minority, they talk about the prosperity in their territories. They take pride in their economic success and consider others to be less productive. The author explains the dignity of the Taliban Muslims when they refuse to be under the European rule which was major of the Christian religion. When Amir is struggling with his identity issues, he gradually becomes a hero in his making and commands the city however when they relocate to the United States of America their religion is reduced to nothing as the nation was not meant for Muslims as it was the norm in Afghanistan. It is important to note that at the beginning of the novel pride dominates the scenes making some characters like Amir too much into themselves. The novel opens up with Amir in the United States where he has a vivid a memory of his childhood. Amir struggles with finding his identity with his father but finds himself in a single parenthood family. Besides, the family struggles he is also faced with socioeconomic and political challenges in Afghanistan by Khaled Hosseini is a story of a Sunni Muslim named Amir who fights to establish his identity after going through dramatic childhood events. The novel opens up with Amir in the United States where he has a vivid a memory of his childhood. Amir struggles with finding his identity with his father but finds himself in a single parenthood family.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a book that explores the life of the author from childhood to her early days of adulthood when she was in Iran during and the aftermath of the Islamic revolution that changed the lives of many people. The title of the book refers to Persepolis which is the Persian Empire. The book was categorized among the best of nonfiction stories in France. Persepolis begins by giving an account of the aftermath of the Iranian war was geared towards bringing down an American dictator called Shah of Iran who was a dictator. The situation did improve though because it led to the rise of another hardliner who forced the people into Islamic doctrines where women and girls were required to put on veils. Marjane grew up in the hostile environment where power and dictatorship prevailed. Though her parents are secular, the Islamic laws needed everyone to convert. On the other hand, the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a story of a Sunni Muslim named Amir who fights to establish his identity after going through dramatic childhood events. The novel opens up with Amir in the United States where he has a vivid a memory of his childhood. Amir struggles with finding his identity with his father but finds himself in a single parenthood family.

In both stories, the theme of pride has been elaborated, and in one way it brings prosperity, and in another, it brings a downfall and destruction. Characters portray theme in activities that surround their day to day lives, and it determines their future too.