Baba and His American Cultural Background
society, mostly the diasporic experiences are caused voluntarily because they want to move to find a better place or life. Amir and Baba are also a part of
voluntarily diasporic experiences when they seek a better life in the US. They leave Afghanistan out of fear of being killed or persecuted.
Just like Safran says diaspora communities still have a strong connection with their home country Safran, 1991:48. Amir and Baba also have a deep
attachment to the Afghanistan as their original country. As a part of diasporic community, Amir and Baba move from one place to another. This movement also
causes a change of cultural background and more diverse spheres of life. Hence, a change of one’s identity is also inevitable. As Gandhi states that diaspora
experience cultural dislocation. The people face disruption on their original cultural identity Gandhi, 1998: 131. As a result, it is essential to disscuss the
identitity formation in diaspora. In order to survive and adapt in a new place, Amir and Baba also undergo changes. In accordance to the theory of identity, this
research apply the concept of identity in the perspective of post-modern conception Hall, 1993: 276-277, identity is something fragmented, not single.
An individual processes identification in open-ended way. The identity shifts and changes at different times. Subsequently, in pursuance of analyzing the identity
of Amir and Baba, it is essential to scrutinize the changes of identity before and after they move to the US in the lens of those aspects.
In regards of the notion of identity, Amir’s and Baba’s identity are also dynamic and keep changing throughout the novel since identity is something that
is not fixed. Therefore, it is important to trace every single change and shift of the PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
identity of Amir and Baba. The first phase is the identity Amir and Baba acquire in Afghanistan before they move to America. Their identities in Afghanistan are
closely affected by their background and environment. Amir’s identity is built and manifested around the character of Baba and the social system of Afghanistan
society.In analyzing further how the transformation of the identity of Amir and Baba occur, this research utilizes the concept of self-categorization and self
identification to form one’s identity. It means a certain identity is related to a certain social groups. An individual attains identification by categorizing
themselves belong to a certain social group. Then, the similiarites are used to define one’s identity in a social group Hogg and Abrams, 1988.It means that this
research examines how Amir and Baba do self-categorization and self- identification on social groups in their life. Thus, they constitute their identities
based on what social categorization or social group they belong to. This section is essential to establish the comparison of their identities before and after move to
the US in order to scrutinize the possible factors of hybridity and resistance on their identities.