In The Kite Runner, Baba emphasizes at many times the importance of many Pashtun traditions/codes of living, such as a mutual respect for others, pride, and how all theft is sin.
When Baba arrives in America, he continues to uphold these beliefs, such as when he refuses the money the government gives them. However, because of a difference in cultures, he fails to understand how in trying to uphold the "mutual respect" at the grocery store, by taking the oranges, he is committing what Americans consider "theft". In this photograph, the hand taking the flower represents Baba's willingness to take what's there- in Afghanistan, the flowers are public property and therefore there for everyone to pick. However, in the States, the flowers may be considered someone else's property and are not okay for people to pick whenever they want.
This is an interesting metaphor on the cultural differences Baba is forced to conform to when he moved to the US.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you were able to describe the metaphor through the idea that Baba wants to take the flower since it is public property however the cultural differences make it difficult for Baba to understand the ideology of the American system.
ReplyDeleteI like that you had such an interesting metaphor pertaining to such an abstract concept like culture. You can also talk about how Baba rejects American cultural values with violence and pride.
ReplyDeleteI thought that your metaphor of picking flowers representing the difference of cultures in Afghanistan and America very interesting. I also like how you incorporated yourself in the photo with the hand picking the flower.
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