Baba in the context of diaspora using diaspora theory and identity theory. The diaspora theory is needed to identify Amir and Baba as individuals who
experience diaspora and to identify the traits they possess as a part of diasporic movement. The theory of identity functions to construct their identity
formations.Subsequently, the main characters are also analyzed from the lens of hybridity theory. Hybridity theory is used to analyze Amir’s identity traits which
stand between two cultures. On the opposite of the spectrum, Baba is analyzed and identified through the lens of resistance theory.
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CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study is a novel The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, an Afghani and American author. The story was published first in 2003.
This novel consists of 401 pages divided into 25 chapters. The Kite Runner is published by Penguin Group USA. The Kite Runner is Hosseini’s first novel and
the most well-known one. More than 38 million copies have been sold worldwide. Hosseini wrote other two novels; it also has the background of
Afghanistan; those are A Thousands Splendid Suns and And The Mountains Echoed. The novels have a similar tone; about family, love, and tragedy. Hosseini
received John Steinbeck Award for the Kite Runner. The Kite Runner itself tells a story about Amir, a privileged young boy
who lives with his father Baba, a Hazara servant boy named Hassan, and Hassan’s father—Ali. The two young boys are extremely close despite their
different backgrounds. However one day, Amir fails to help Hassan out of cowardice when Hassan gets raped by an evil young boy, Assef, who is the son of
Baba’s friend who lives close to them. Amir drowns in guilt and sorrow; he then decides that to move on Hassan has to go away. Hence, he tricks Hassan so he is
considered as a thief. After Hassan and Ali go away from Amir’s house, the revolution begins
in Afghanistan. The monarchy falls. Amir and Baba have to move to US. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
However, 25 years later, Amir has to save Hassan’s son from Taliban and he can get his redemption over his sin in the past.
This story reveals that Amir and Baba are the entities affected by the diaspora—voluntarily moving from Afghanistan to the US. The study reveals the
construction of identities of Amir and Baba. It shows whether Amir and Baba react in the same way or not in adapting the US culture. Moreoever, whether or
not they are hybrid characters.
B. Approach of the Study
The approach of the study uses postcolonial approach. This approach is relevant because the writer wants to know the influence and the hegemony of the
dominant culture to the characters. Moreover, it is also relevant to use the postcolonial approach in order to answer the questions in the problem
formulation. Postcolonial study or criticism according to Barry has four
characteristics. There are the non-western called as exotic ‘Other’, the language used, hybrid identity, and the last one is the existence of cross cultural interactions
Barry, 2009: 188-189. The Kite Runner is suitable to be analyzed by postcolonial criticism since the story mostly talks about how Amir and Baba
change their life and identities when they fuse with a new culture. It is even more highlightened when the two of them adapt to the new culture. It also shows how
the process of Amir and Baba having a contrast development in attaining a new identity. At certain point, Amir is more open in receiving the new culture even
further becoming a hybrid. Meanwhile, Baba’s development of identities contains resistance and conflicts.
The issues of cultural identity take part quite big in the story. It is relevant to use the postcolonial criticism particularly analyzing the diaspora
context of the characters and the hybridity theory in which there is a crosscultural interaction in the novel. The novel also tells how Amir’s dynamic growth as an
individual with two cultures learnt and adapted by him. Then, the theory of hybridity and resistance are applied to analyze how Amir as an hybrid character is
presented in the novel.
C. Method of Study
This research uses library research. The sources are collected through books to find related studies and theories. The primary source isThe Kite Runner
novel by Khaled Hosseini. The secondary sources are from books to gain theories and information, internet articles, and many others.
In constructing this research, the researcher conducted several steps. In order to understand the object of the study, the writer conductedclose reading on
The Kite Runner novel. In this step, the writer took notes the important points related to the topic of the research. Then the writer decided what kind of topic and
approach suitable to the novel.The second step was searching for supporting data fromlibrary and internet articles. Library and internet research became the sources
which wereimportant in analyzing the novel based on the decided topic. The writer collected supporting theories and related studies to analyze the novel based
on postcolonial perspective. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
