Hafiz 1

Shehraan Hafiz

876971

Mrs. Sanderson

ENG3U0-C

January 24th, 2023

Khaled Hosseini’s chapter as an activist

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, serves as a powerful call to action, highlighting the

importance of speaking out against injustice and oppression. Through the eyes of the novel's

primary protagonist, Amir, Hosseini exposes the reader to the brutal reality of the Taliban's

oppressive regime and the calamitous effects it had on the Afghan people. In this way, he fulfills

his responsibilities as a writer by "sounding the alarm" on these issues.

First, Hosseini uses the character, Amir, to highlight the personal impact of political and social

issues in Afghanistan. Through Amir's experiences, the reader can understand the real-life

consequences of the Taliban regime and the displacement and suffering of the Afghan people. He

emphasizes this point by describing the destruction of cultural activities and freedoms under the

Taliban regime: “A few weeks later, the Taliban banned kite fighting. And two years later, in

1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif” (Hosseini 225). This quote illustrates the

impact of the Taliban regime on people's daily lives and serves as a powerful reminder of the

human cost of political oppression, and the importance of speaking out against it. By exposing

the reader to the brutal reality of the Taliban regime and the suffering of the Afghan people,

Hosseini urges the reader to take action and raise awareness about the ongoing struggles of the

Afghan people. Through this message of awareness, Hosseini successfully adheres to White’s

idea that writers must be the providers of “inspiration and guidance and challenge” (Popova).

Additionally, Hosseini uses imagery in the novel to further convey the devastation caused by

war. For example, he describes Amir's childhood home, which has fallen into disrepair, and
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states that it is similar to Kabul itself: “Like so much else in Kabul, my father’s house was the

picture of fallen splendor” (Hosseini 275). This imagery helps to strongly convey the destruction

caused by the war and the impact it has had on the people's lives. Hosseini’s comparison of

Amir’s house to the state of Kabul itself helps to further demonstrate that the effects of the war

are widespread. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political oppression

and the importance of speaking out against it. The imagery used helps to further drive home this

message, by making it more powerful and memorable for the reader. In both these points,

Hosseini encourages readers to stand up against injustice and oppression. He serves this as an

alarm for the reader to be aware of these issues, and to be more conscious of their surroundings.

Through his characters and their experiences, he provides valuable insight and a greater

understanding of the complex nature of oppression and war, fulfilling the role of a responsible

writer as described by White. In summary, through the use of imagery, and characterization,

Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner effectively conveys the brutal reality of the Taliban's

oppressive regime and the devastating effects it had on the Afghan people and serves as a

compelling reminder of the need to take action and speak out against injustice and oppression.

Through his characters and literary techniques, Hosseini fulfills the role of a writer as described

by White, by sounding the alarm and engaging in activism by providing valuable insight and

guidance to the reader on how to navigate the complex nature of political oppression and war. He

also exposes the reader to the human cost of political oppression, making them feel more

empathetic to the cause, and urging them to take action.

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Shehraan Hafiz

876971

Mrs. Sanderson

ENG3U0-C

January 24th, 2023

Shakespeare’s guidance cautionary tale against unchecked ambition

William Shakespeare's ability to "sound the alarm," as E.B White describes it, is evident in his

play Macbeth, which serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and

the corrupting nature of power, Shakespeare uses several literary techniques to drive this

message home. Firstly, Shakespeare uses Macbeth's character as a warning against the dangers of

unchecked ambition. Through his actions, the audience is shown how his desire for power leads

to his downfall and the destruction of those around him. For example, when King Duncan visits

Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth's false demeanour towards the king illustrates how Macbeth's

ambition is also corrupting her. This is exemplified in his soliloquy, "Is this a dagger which I see

before me, the handle towards my hand? Come, let me clutch thee" (Shakespeare 2.1.44-46).

Despite his initial reluctance to kill Duncan, Macbeth's ambition ultimately drives him to commit

the murder, as he sees it as the only way to secure his own ascension to the throne. As he

becomes more ruthless in his pursuit of power, his character and actions become increasingly

disturbing, and it is clear that his ambition has consumed him. This serves as a cautionary tale,

reminding the audience that unchecked ambition can lead to tragic consequences. Shakespeare

uses Macbeth as a literary device to convey the dangers of ambition, and how the desire for

power can corrupt even the most honourable of men. Furthermore, the witches in the play

represent the corrupting influence of power and manipulation. They use their powers to

manipulate Macbeth through their prophecies and push him toward his downfall. The witches are

portrayed as evil and dangerous, representing the seductive nature of power and the harm it can
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cause when in the wrong hands. This is demonstrated when Shakespeare states, "All hail,

Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, king that shall be!"

(Shakespeare 1.3.51). In this quote, the witches greet Macbeth and greet him by his titles, Thane

of Cawdor and king that shall be, which plant the seed of ambition in Macbeth's mind. Through

their characterization, Shakespeare is warning the audience about the dangers of blindly

following those who hold power, and the manipulation that often comes with it. Shakespeare

uses the witches as a metaphor for the corrupting influence of power on those who hold it and

those who are affected by it. In both these points, Shakespeare illustrates how the corrupting

influence of power can be harmful and destructive, and how unbridled ambition can result in

tragic outcomes. He serves as a warning to the audience to be mindful of these dangers and to

exercise caution when pursuing power and ambition. Through his characters and their actions, he

offers valuable insight and guidance on how to navigate the complex nature of power and

ambition, fulfilling the role of a responsible writer as described by White. Additionally, he

employs literary techniques such as characterization, symbolism, and metaphor to enhance the

impact of this message. Furthermore, the play also serves as a commentary on the political and

societal issues of the time, such as the dangers of absolute power and the need for self-reflection

and self-control. Shakespeare's ability to sound the alarm on these issues and provide significant

insight and guidance is not only restricted to the play's main theme but also its subtext and

commentary. In conclusion, Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, serves as a powerful reminder of the

dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting nature of power. Through his characters and

literary techniques, Shakespeare can fulfill the role of a writer as described by White, by

sounding the alarm and providing valuable insight and guidance to the audience on navigating

the complex nature of power and ambition.