Amir`s motivation for finding Sohrab in Afghanistan as seen in Hosseini`s The Kite Runner.

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AMIR’S MOTIVATION
FOR FINDING SOHRAB IN AFGHANISTAN
AS SEEN IN HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education

By
Christina Ratna Hastuti
Student Number: 081214073

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2013

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AMIR’S MOTIVATION
FOR FINDING SOHRAB IN AFGHANISTAN
AS SEEN IN HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER

A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education

By
Christina Ratna Hastuti
Student Number: 081214073

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2013
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Don’t quit till you get nothing left!

~Grant Taylor*

*Facing the Giants Movie

I dedicate this thesis to:
Jesus Almighty and Mother Mary,
my family,
and everyone I love.

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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY

I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work
of parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the
references, as a scientific paper should.

Yogyakarta, July 11th, 2013
The Writer

Christina Ratna Hastuti
081214073

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LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama

: Christina Ratna Hastuti

Nomor Mahasiswa

: 081214073

Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
AMIR’S MOTIVATION
FOR FINDING SOHRAB IN AFGHANISTAN
AS SEEN IN HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,

mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 11 Juli 2013
Yang menyatakan

Christina Ratna Hastuti

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ABSTRACT
Hastuti, Christina R. (2013). Amir’s Motivation for Finding Sohrab in
Afghanistan as Seen in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta: Sanata
Dharma University.
This study analyzes Khaled Hosseini’s novel entitled The Kite Runner. The
novel tells about Amir’s life and his struggle in finding Sohrab, Hassan’s son, in
Afghanistan. Amir is an Afghan who lives and has a good family and career in
America. However, several years after the death of his father, Baba, Rahim Khan
summons Amir to meet him in Pakistan. He is Baba’s business partner and friend.
He tells Amir a secret that Hassan, who used to be a servant in Amir’s house, is
actually Amir’s half-brother. Hassan and his wife are killed by the Taliban and
Sohrab, his son, lives in an orphanage in Afghanistan. Besides telling about the
secret of Amir’s family, Rahim Khan asks Amir to find Sohrab in Afghanistan
and bring him in a safe place because Afghanistan is in crisis.
In this study, there are two questions to be answered: (1) How is the
character of Amir described in the novel The Kite Runner? (2) What motivates
Amir in finding Sohrab in Afghanistan?
This study employs a library study method. There are two kinds of sources
applied in this study. The primary source is The Kite Runner novel by Khaled

Hosseini. Meanwhile, the secondary source are obtained from some books and
articles on the Internet which are related to the topic of this study, such as the
theory of psychological approach, theory of character and characterization, theory
of motivation and review on Pasthunwali. This study uses the psychological
approach since this study focuses on human motivation.
The result of the analysis draws two findings. The first finding describes
Amir’s characteristics. Based on the theories of characters, Amir is a major and
round character. Moreover, according to the theory of characterization, Amir is
described as a smart, responsible, loving, brave, and kind person. The second
finding is Amir’s motivation for finding Sohrab in Afghanistan. There are three
factors which are based on intrinsic motivation and a form of applying
Pasthunwali. The first motivation is to atone for Baba’s and his mistakes in the
past. The second motivation is to prove his masculinity. The last motivation is to
requite Hassan’s love and generosity.
This study provides some suggestions for future researchers and English
teachers. For the future researchers, the writer suggests them analyze symbols
which are revealed in the novel. They can also analyze conflicts faced by Amir
and the ways Amir solves the conflicts. For the English teachers, the writer
suggests them use the novel for teaching English. Besides, the writer provides a
lesson plan and teaching learning material for Basic Reading II class by using

some excerpts from the novel.
Keywords: character, motivation, The Kite Runner
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ABSTRAK
Hastuti, Christina R. (2013). Amir’s Motivation for Finding Sohrab in
Afghanistan as Seen in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta: Universitas
Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini menganalisa novel karangan Khaled Hosseini yang berjudul The
Kite Runner. Novel tersebut menceritakan tentang kehidupan Amir dan usahanya
dalam mencari Sohrab, putra Hassan, di Afghanistan. Amir merupakan orang
Afghanistan yang tinggal dan memiliki keluarga dan karir yang bagus di Amerika.
Namun, beberapa tahun setelah kematian ayahnya, Baba, Rahim Khan memanggil

Amir untuk menemuinya di Pakistan. Ia adalah rekan kerja dan teman Baba. Ia
memberitahu Amir sebuah rahasia bahwa Hassan, yang dulunya merupakan
seorang pelayan di rumah Amir, sebenarnya adalah saudara tiri Amir. Hassan dan
istrinya dibunuh dan Sohrab, putranya, tinggal di sebuah panti asuhan di
Afghanistan. Selain menceritakan rahasia keluarga Amir, ia meminta Amir untuk
mencari Sohrab di Afghanistan dan membawanya ke suatu tempat yang aman
karena Afghanistan berada dalam krisis.
Dalam studi ini, ada dua pertanyaan yang dijawab: (1). Bagaimana karakter
Amir dideskripsikan di dalam novel The Kite Runner? (2). Faktor apa saja yang
memotivasi Amir dalam mencari Sohrab di Afghanistan?
Studi ini memakai metode studi pustaka. Terdapat dua macam sumber
yang digunakan dalam studi ini. Sumber utama adalah novel The Kite Runner
karangan Khaled Hosseini, sedangkan sumber sekunder diperoleh dari beberapa
buku dan artikel di Internet yang berkaitan dengan topik studi, seperti teori
pendekatan psikologi, teori karakter dan karakterisasi, teori motivasi dan tinjauan
tentang Pasthunwali. Studi ini menerapkan pendekatan psikologi karena studi ini
berpusat pada motivasi manusia.
Hasil dari analisa ini menarik dua kesimpulan. Kesimpulan pertama
mendeskripsikan karakteristik Amir. Berdasarkan teori karakter Amir merupakan
tokoh utama dan kompleks. Amir digambarkan sebagai seseorang yang pintar,
bertanggung jawab, penyayang, pemberani, dan baik. Kesimpulan kedua adalah
motivasi Amir untuk mencari Sohrab di Afghanistan. Terdapat tiga faktor yang
berdasar pada motivasi intrinsik dan bentuk dari tindakan Pasthunwali. Motivasi
pertama adalah untuk menebus kesalahan Baba dan dirinya di masa lalu. Motivasi
kedua adalah untuk membuktikan maskulinitasnya. Motivasi terakhir adalah
untuk membalas budi atas kasih dan kebaikan Hassan.
Studi ini memberikan beberapa saran bagi peneliti selanjutnya dan guru
bahasa Inggris. Bagi peneliti selanjutnya, penulis menyarankan untuk menganalisa
symbol yang muncul dalam novel. Mereka dapat juga menganalisa konflik yang
dihadapi oleh Amir dan cara dia mengatasi konflik tersebut. Selain itu, penulis
memberikan sebuah rencana pembelajaran dan materi belajar mengajar untuk
kelas Basic Reading II dengan menggunakan beberapa bagian dari novel.
Kata Kunci: character, motivation, The Kite Runner
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to Jesus Christ,
Holy Spirit, and Mother Mary, who have given the blessing and strength for me
so that I can finish this thesis. I thank them for being my savior in my ups and
downs and giving me unbounded love and wonderful chance to experience many
planes of life which makes my faith and hope grow stronger.
Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor,
Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum. for her time, guidance, advice, and support in
completing this thesis from the beginning until the end. I believe that without her
patient and kindness I cannot complete this thesis. I would like also to thank
Adesti Komalasari, S.Pd., M.A. for her generosity and assistance for this thesis.
I thank her for correcting the grammar and proofreading this thesis. Furthermore, I
would like to thank mbak Daniek, mbak Tari, and all Sanata Dharma
University staff for their help in administrative matter.
Thirdly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my beloved family;
bapak Alexius Hartono (Untung), ibu Chatarina Suyani, dek Yohana Puji
Asri and dek Afra Woro Dhuwarti, for their support and encouragement in my
study. I thank them for their love, care and support which always become my
strength in achieving my dreams. I would also like to express my gratitude for my
uncles, aunties, and cousins to their encouragement for me to finish my study as
soon as possible. I thank all of them for their prayer in accomplishing this thesis.

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Fourthly, I would like to thank my friends who have motivated me to finish
my thesis. My gratitude I give to all PBI friends batch 2008, especially to Vita,
Ika, Tania, Lia, Paul, Ivon, Deby, Nora, Yustian, Yosua, Seto and Vrater for
our togetherness and friendship which fulfill my days. I thank them for happiness
and sadness, ideas and thought, and support during my time of study in Sanata
Dharma University. I also thank mas Bernad Sasing, Astri, Pauline, Elis, and
Gilang for their help, support and encouragement in finishing my thesis.
Additionally, I would like to thank Eyin, Devri, Bram, Mbedul, Eliab, and all
BFA friends for their support in accomplishing my thesis and the everlasting
togetherness and friendship since the time in senior high school.
Fifthly, I would like to express my gratitude to Sumiyar Mahanani ST.,
MM. at JES Plus for giving me a chance to develop my skills and ability. I thank
her and all of the staff and teachers there for sharing many experiences in which
I can take them for my future pursuits. In addition, I would like to thank Romo
Sumantoro S. Pr. for his support and pray for me. I also thank Poetri for
friendship, togetherness and every moment we shared. Besides, I would like to
express my appreciation and thanks to mas Oka for his encouragement in
finishing my thesis and his kindness and backup in completing our projects in
church.
Finally, I thank everyone whom I cannot mention one by one. I thank
them for their help and contribution to me during the completion of my thesis.
May God give them blessing and happiness.
Christina Ratna Hastuti
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
TITLE PAGE .............................................................................................

i

APPROVAL PAGES .................................................................................

ii

DEDICATION PAGE ...............................................................................

iv

STATEMENT OF WORKS ORIGINALITY ……..…………………..

v

PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI ………………………...

vi

ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………...

vii

ABSTRAK ………………………………………………………………...

viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......…………………………………………

ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………..................

xi

LIST OF APPENDICES ………………………………………………...

xiv

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ………………………………………..

1

A. Background of the Study ………………………………......................

1

B. Problem Formulation …………………………………………………

3

C. Objective of the Study …………………………………......................

4

D. Benefits of the Study …………………………………………………

4

E. Definition of Terms ……………………………………......................

4

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE …..................

6

A. Review of Related Theories …………………………….....................

6

1. The Psychological Approach ……………………….......................

6

2. Theory of Character and Characterization ………….......................

7

3. Theory of Motivation ……………………………………………...

11

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a. Definition of Motivation ………………………....................

11

b. Types of Motivation ………………………………………...

12

c. Theory of Human Motivation ………………………………

14

1) Achievement Motivation ………………….....................

14

2) Affiliation Motivation ……………………….................

17

B. Review of Pasthunwali ………………………………….....................

18

1. Ghayrat (personal honor) …………………………….....................

20

2. Badal (revenge and returning other’s works, deeds, and favors) …

20

3. Nanawaty (sanctuary) ……………………………………………..

21

C. Theoretical Framework ………………………………………………

22

CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY ……………………………………..

24

A. Object of the Study …………………………………………………...

24

B. Approach of the Study …………………………………......................

25

C. Method of the Study …………………………………….....................

26

CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ……………………………………………...

28

A. The Description of Amir’s Character ………………………………...

28

1. Smart …………………………………………………....................

29

2. Responsible ……………………………………………..................

31

3. Loving …………………………………………………..................

33

4. Brave …………………………………………………....................

37

5. Kind …………………………………………………….................

39

B. Amir’s Motivation for Finding Sohrab in Afghanistan ………………

40

1. To atone for Baba’s and his mistakes in the past …………………

42

2. To prove his masculinity ……………………………….................

47

3. To requite Hassan’s love and generosity ……………….................

49

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CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ………………

54

A. Conclusions …………………………………………………………..

54

B. Suggestions …………………………………………………………...

57

REFERENCES …………………………………………………………..

60

APPENDICES ……………………………………………........................

62

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 The Summary of The Kite Runner …………………………...

63

Appendix 2 The Biography of Khaled Hosseini …………………………

67

Appendix 3 The Lesson Plan for Teaching Basic Reading II …………….

69

Appendix 4 Teaching Materials …………………………………………..

71

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains five sections. They are the background of the study,
problem formulation, objective of the study, benefits of the study, and definition
of terms. The background of the study presents the description of the topic and the
reason why it is chosen. The problem formulation formulates the problems to be
discussed in a form of questions. The objectives of the study focus on the aims of
the study. The benefits of the study state the benefits of this work for readers,
future researchers, and English teachers. The definition of terms explains the key
terms related to the novel discussed.

A. Background of the Study
There are many kinds of literary works in this world which provide
enjoyment and pleasure for readers. They portray the reflection of human life and
the relationship with others. Besides, they include many valuable points, which
can increase readers’ knowledge and experiences.
A novel is one of many kinds of literary works, which provides many
benefits for readers. According to Henkle (1977, pp. 2-3), the novel does not only
give pleasure and enjoyment to readers throughout the story but also can enrich
readers’ appreciation of the novel. By understanding the messages presented in
the novel readers can increase their knowledge and values of life. Similarly,
readers can also learn about other people through characters portrayed in the novel
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because they are closely related to the real life. The characters have thoughts and
feelings like human beings. They cannot only learn and propose many ideas but
also feel happy, sad, guilty, fear, or other emotions. Besides, they can behave and
act as people really are.
In this study, the writer focuses to analyse a novel entitled The Kite
Runner. This novel is written by Khaled Hosseini. It is his first literary work
which has become an international best seller novel. It has been published in 38
countries and gained many positive responses. In addition, the story of this novel
emphasizes human issues which are covered by many interesting aspects such as
love, family relationships, and Afghanistan’s politics, history and culture. It also
provides many valuable points of life, in which they can be gained from the
portrayal of characters and the things they do.
Basically, there is a cause which underlies someone’s action. One aspect
which can influence the action is motivation. According to Jung, motivation can
be defined as a stimulus which causes someone to behave and act on particular
actions (1978, p. 4). They have their own reasons to act as they do. Besides, they
have desires to accomplish their goals and needs. Jung also adds that past learning
experiences and activation of involving energy can motivate people to behave in
certain ways and do particular actions.
In The Kite Runner, Amir as the main character experiences a condition
which makes him do an important action. He is an Afghan who lives in America
and has a family and career as a writer there. He decides to go back to
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In the novel, several months after the death of his father, Baba, Amir
comes to Pakistan to meet Rahim Khan. Rahim Khan is Baba’s close friend and
business partner. He asks Amir to go back to Afghanistan and find Sohrab,
Hassan’s son. He also asks Amir to bring Sohrab to a safe place because
Afghanistan is in crisis. Besides, Rahim Khan tells a secret that Hassan, who used
to be a servant in Amir’s house, is actually Amir’s half-brother. Both Amir and
Hassan do not know about the secret because Rahim Khan and Baba never tell it
to them.
At first, Amir refuses Rahim Khan’s request to find Sohrab because he has
a family and career in America. Moreover, after Russia’s invasion, Afghanistan is
taken over by Taliban regime, which makes Afghanistan in crisis. However, after
some considerations, Amir decides to go back to Afghanistan in order to find
Sohrab, his nephew.
In this study, the writer focuses on analyzing Amir’s motivation for finding
Sohrab in Afghanistan. The writer will analyse the factors which drive Amir to
take a risk and go to Afghanistan in order to find Sohrab there. This study will
also analyze Amir’s characterization. At last, the writer expects this study will
give a substantial contribution to readers and literature research.

B. Problem Formulation
This study focus on two problems to be answered as follows.
1. How is the character of Amir described in the novel The Kite Runner?
2. What motivates Amir to find Sohrab in Afghanistan?

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C. Objectives of the Study
There are two objectives of this study which are derived from the problem
formulation. The first objective is to find out character descriptions of Amir in the
novel The Kite Runner. The second objective is to reveal Amir’s motivation for
finding Sohrab in Afghanistan. In this study, the first objective helps to answer the
second one.

D. Benefits of the study
This study is intended for giving many benefits to readers and future
researchers. For the readers, this study can encourage them to read literary works.
This study will also enrich their knowledge on personalities and motivation. The
writer expects this study can help them recognize the characteristic description of
a character in a story, motivation underlying someone doing an action. For the
future researchers, the writer expects that this study can inspire them to analyze
The Kite Runner from many aspects, for example analyzing this novel from
psychological or socio-historical approach. For English teachers, the writer
expects they can use The Kite Runner for teaching English in class. Hence, in this
study the writer provides some teaching materials which can be used as references
in teaching English.

E. Definition of terms
In this part, the writer presents key terms used in this study. The key terms
is used to avoid misunderstanding about this study.

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1. Character
Abrams and Harphan (2009, p. 42) state that a character is an individual
presented in the literary works. The individual has particular behaviour, thought,
and emotion. It can be seen by means of their words of communication and action
(p. 42). In this study, the character refers to the individual in the novel presented
by the author, who have particular behaviour, thought, and emotion. There are
some characters presented in the novel. Nevertheless, this study only focuses on a
character in the novel, named Amir.

2. Motivation
According to Petri (1981, p. 3), “motivation is the concept we use when we
describe the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate and direct
behaviour”. In the other words, motivation is the reason underlying someone to
start doing an action. Motivation in this study refers to the reason why Amir finds
Sohrab, Hassan’s son, in Afghanistan.

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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter consists of three parts. They are the review of related theories,
review on Pasthunwali, and the theoretical framework. The review of related
theories explains some theories used to answer the problem questions formulated
in the problem formulation. The review on Pasthunwali explains a brief review on
the cultural background of Pasthuns. The theoretical framework explains the
contribution of the theories in answering the problem formulations and its
application in this study.

A. Review of related theories
There are some theories needed in analyzing this study. In this part, the
writer would like to present the review of related theories in three sections. They
are the theory of psychological approach, theory of character and characterization,
and theory of motivation.

1. The Psychological Approach
According to Guerin, Labor, Wilson, Morgan, Reesman, Smith,
Willingman, and Late (2011, p. 201), psychological approach is “an excellent tool
for reading beneath the lines, the interpretive craftsperson must often use other
tools for a proper rendering of the lines themselves”. It means that the
psychological approach is used to interpreted tangible clues for thematic and
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symbolic mysteries in the literary works. Furthermore, Rohrberger and Woods
(1971, p. 3) explain that psychological approach deals with the interpretation of
literary works by reflecting human life as human psychology such as human
personalities, motivation and behaviour. This kind of approach is used to explore
the character description of a particular character presented in the literary work
and analyze the character’s motivation for doing a particular action. Therefore,
this study uses psychological approach to analyze Amir’s character and his
motivation for finding Sohrab in Afghanistan.

2. Theory of character and characterization
A character has an important role in a novel or story apart from plot,
conflict, and setting. It also drives and controls how the story goes. Moreover,
through the character readers are able to gain better understanding about the story,
value of life and theme presented in the novel. Therefore, it is important to know
the character which appears in the novel and how it is characterized.
Many experts have developed their ideas of the character. Abrams and
Harphan (2009) describe the character as the person portrayed in a narrative work,
such as a novel. Furthermore, the author of the novel portrays the character with
moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities which can be found through the
dialogues and actions (p.42). Besides, Kennedy and Gioia state that the character
is an imagined person who exists in the literary work. The character also has
personalities and acts in manner which is like human being. Sometimes the author
provides the character with motivation, which directs him or her to behave in a

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certain way (1999, p. 60). Another definition of the character is presented by
Stanson (1965, p.17). He defines the character in two ways. First, the character is
the individual revealed in the story. It refers to the number of the characters
presented in the story. Second, the character is the mixture of interests, desires,
emotions, and moral qualities, in which they form the character as an individual.
According to Henkle (1977), the character can be divided into two parts;
major and secondary character. The major character is the most significant
character in the novel. It can be analysed by the complexity of the
characterization, the attention given to certain figures, and the personal intensity
that character seems to transmit (p. 87). On the contrary, the secondary character
performs more limited functions. It is less complex and described in shallower
relief. It becomes a point of reference in the novel or sometimes acts as foils for
the major character.
In making the classification of character, Forster defines the character in
two ways; those are flat and round character. The flat character is simple. It is
presented in less clear characteristic traits. The characterization of flat character
also tends to be static all along in a story. Therefore, the readers can recognize the
flat character in the story easily. On the contrary, the round character is described
in greater depth details and has many characteristics and tends to be complex in
temperament and motivation. Sometimes it is also represented in obvious details.
In addition, the round character is the same as a person in a real life. The
character’s personalities often change and grow which make the readers gain

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difficulties to recognize the character (Forster in Kennedy and Gioia, 1999 and
Abrams and Harphan, 2009).
According to Murphy (1972, pp. 161-173), there are nine ways to describe
the characterization of a character in a novel. Those ways help the readers gain
better understanding about the character. The nine ways of characterization are as
follows.
a. Personal Description
The author describes the details of the character through personal
appearances and clothes directly. By describing the character’s appearances and
style, readers can gain information on the physical description of the character, for
example, his or her build, colour skin, hair, face, or clothes.
b. Character as seen by Other
Besides describing through the personal description, the author can
describe the character through the eyes of another. In this case, the author conveys
a reflected image of the character by using other characters’ opinion and point of
view. Therefore, the readers gain the image on how the character looks like.
c.

Speech
Another way in describing the character is through his or her speech. The

author presents the characterization of the character by giving clues to what the
character says whenever the character speaks or proposes his or her ideas in a
conversation with others. Some expressions used by the character in the
conversation can help the readers know the personalities of the character.

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d. Past Life
The author sometimes lets the readers learn the character more by
presenting the character’s past life. Some events in the character’s past life
become the clues for the readers to know the personalities of the character, in
which those can be seen through the direct comments from the author, character’s
thought, character’s conversation, or other characters.
e. Conversation by Others
Additionally, the author often gives some clues of the characterization of
the character to the readers through other characters’ conversations and the things
they say about the character. It is common that people do talk about someone or
other people. Therefore, their conversations can become the clues to gain
information about the characterization of the character.
f. Reactions
Furthermore, the author can also give the clues to the character’s
characterization in various situations or events in which the character faces in his
or her life. Through certain reactions of the character showed, the author lets the
readers determine whether the character is a protagonist or antagonist.
g.

Direct comment
In addition, the author can also use the narration to describe the character.

The author gives comments directly to the character on what a sort of a person the
character is. It is actually the easiest way to grab the information on how the
character is described in the novel, especially when the author uses the third
person point of view.

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h. Thoughts
Besides, the author gives the clues of the character’s description to the
readers through what the character thinks about. In this case, the author can tell
readers about what other people think or what they have learn in their life, in
which it cannot be done by the readers in the real life. From that knowledge, the
readers gain a privileged position.
i.

Mannerism
Finnally, the author can also present the clues of the character’s description

through mannerism, habits, or unusual behaviour of the character. For example,
character A always smiles and reveals a set of teeth. Even though the character is
in a dangerous situation, he or she can still smile.

3. Theory of Motivation
In this study, the writer discusses Amir’s motivation for finding Sohrab in
Afghanistan, in which the topic of this study is related to the psychology study. In
order to gain the answer of his motivation, the understanding of motivation should
be broadened. In this part, the writer presents the definition of motivation, types of
motivation, and theory of human motivation.

a. Definition of Motivation
Many psychologists have defined and explained the meaning of
motivation. According to Petri (1981, 3), “motivation is the concept we use when
we describe the forces acting on or within an organism to initiate and direct

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behaviour”. Besides, Jung (1978) adds that motivation refers to the terms of
diverse conditions likes desires, wishes, plans, goals, intents, impulses, and
purposes. The conditions imply intentionally and spontaneously process involving
reasons. Additionally, he states that emotions sometimes are involved as motives
– the causes or reasons underlying such behaviour – in generating responses or
motivated behaviour, which are assumed to be goal-directed behaviour. Besides,
he explains that past learning experiences and activation of involving energy can
motivate an individual to act a particular action (pp. 4-5).
There are some factors which influence someone’s motivation. Murray
(1964) explains that there are three factors influencing motivation. They are the
past experience of the person, his physical abilities and the environmental
situation (p. 7). Besides, Hunt as cited in Petri (1981, p. 315) adds that
“motivation exists whenever an incongruity occurs between past experiences and
new information”.

b. Types of Motivation
The concept of motivation is to explain why a person acts in a certain way.
The goal of the explanation is to identify the factors underlying the action. Many
experts devided motivation into some types. According to Huffman, Vernoy, and
Vernoy (2000), motivation can be divided into two types. They are intrinsic and
extrinsic motivation.
The intrinsic motivation is a type of motivation which comes from the
internal factor of an individual. It refers to “the desire to perform an act for its

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own sake; motivation is derived from the satisfaction arising out of the behaviour
itself” (Huffman, Vernoy & Vernoy, 2000, p. 401). Therefore, when people do the
action because of their willingness, the knowledge and satisfaction they will get
are the rewards for the action they do. The people who do the action because of
intrinsic motivation will keep doing their work without being affected by external
conditions.
Deci as cited in Worchel and Shebilske (1989, p. 408) states that there are
two basis of the intrinsic motivation. First, the people want to see that they are
able to control their behaviour. Second, the people have a need to see that they are
capable and competent. Furthermore, he adds that the intrinsic motivation directs
particular behaviour which arouses people to feel competent and be able to make
decisions for their selves.
Apart from the intrinsic motivation, the extrinsic motivation happens when
people do the action or performance because of external rewards or the avoidance
of punishment. According to Worchel and Shebilske (1989, p. 409), this action is
based on the desire for pay, status, grades, promotion, or any similar types of
rewards. Generally, people who are extrinsically motivated in doing their action
will stop their work when the extrinsic rewards do not exist anymore. For
example, a student studies harder in a particular lesson in order to pass the
examination and to achieve a good mark. After that, when the examination is over
and the student finally achieves a good mark, he or she will stop his or her study
in the lesson.

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Furthermore, Worchel and Shebilske (1989, p. 410) explain that the
external rewards can have two different functions. The first is the reward as the
controlling function. This kind of reward will shape and control human behaviour
to direct certain actions in order to obtain the reward. It will also have negative
effect on the extrinsic motivation. The second is the reward as the informational
function. This reward functions as an indicator for how well the action is done and
gives information of people’s competence.

c. Theory of Human Motivation
McClelland (1985, p. 45) states that there are three kinds of need, which
are influenced by the cultural background and life experiences. They are the need
for achievement or achievement motivation, the need for power or power
motivation, the need for affiliation or affiliation motivation. However, in this
study the writer only explains the achievement and affiliation motivation because
those two motivations are appropriate to this study.

1) Achievement Motivation
Lahey states that achievement motivation is “the psychological need to
succeed in school, work and other areas of life” (2009). In some cases, he explains
that the definition of “success” is different from one to others. People might have
different motivation to achieve their version of success. Thus, to understand
people’s achievement motivation it needs to understand the thing they want to do
and the reasons underlying their action.

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Murray as cited in Huffman, Vernoy, and Vernoy (2000) explains
achievement motivation is “the need for success, for doing better than others, and
for mastering challenging tasks”. Then, as cited in Beck (1978), Murray states that
achievement motivation is “a desire or tendency to overcome obstacle, to exercise
power, to strive to do something difficult as well and as quickly as possible”.
Meanwhile, Murray as cited in McClelland (1985) defines that achievement
motivation deals with the reasons underlying someone doing something better for
intrinsic satisfaction. He defines achievement motivation as follows.
“To accomplish something difficult. To master, manipulate, or organize
physical objects, human beings, or ideas. To do this as rapidly and as
independently as possible. To overcome obstacle and attain a high
standard. To excel oneself. To rival and surpass others. To increase selfregard by the successful exercise of talent (p.46).”
From some definitions of achievement motivation above, it can be
summed up that the achievement motivation is the need or desire which actuates
people to strive to do something better, overcome obstacles, and master
challenging or difficult tasks so that they can exercise their abilities and achieve
their own success, goals, or standards.
There are some characteristics of people who have the need for
achievement. McClelland as cited in Worchel and Shelbilske (1989) explains that
people with the need for achievement will set high standards and strive to achieve
them. They will seek out challenging tasks and do their best to achieve their goal
even though they are not interested in. Hufman, Vernoy, and Vernoy (2000) add
that achievement-motivated people will be responsible for the tasks and tend to
persist at the task as if they are difficult. They will also feel satisfied if they can

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finish the task well. Meanwhile, Weiner (1980) states the responsibilities of
achievement-motivated people come from their selves-belief on their own abilities
and hopes in accomplishing their goals. As the result of having their selves-belief
and hopes, their feeling of worth will increase (pp.189-190).
In the development of the achievement motivation, Worchel and Shebilske
(1989, p.407) state that family characteristics and lifestyles give amount of
influence to people who have the need for achievement. The strengths and goals
they set are rested on their parents. Moreover, McClelland as cited in Stipek
(1993) claims that “achievement motivation is an unconscious trait that develops
early life as a consequence of parents’ behaviour toward children in achievement
situations”. In the other words, the experiences in the early life or childhood
encourage the people with the need for achievement to respond in certain ways in
achievement situations. As the result, the parents’ behaviour becomes the role
model in constructing children’s achievement motivation.
From the explanation above, it can be summarized that the achievement
motivation is the need to do and master challenging tasks in order to reach the
goals or standards. The achievement motivation can be evaluated by identifying
the characteristics and standards of achievement-motivated people. Besides, the
parents and family characteristics take part in the development of people with the
need for achievement, especially if their parents have built the need for
achievement in the early life.

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2) Affiliation Motivation
As human beings, people tend to stay with others. As stated by Jung
(1989), it is inherent in the nature of human needs that people cannot survive
without the assistance of others. They need others to share and support their
living. In the other words, the tendency to affiliate exists in human lives.
From the illustrative list of Murray’s needs, McClelland gives the
definition of affiliation motivation, as follows.
“To draw near and enjoyably cooperate or reciprocate with an allied other
(another who resembles the subject or who likes the subject). To please
and win affection of a catheched object. To adhere and remain loyal to a
friend” (46).
The definition shows that the affiliation motivation is the desire to have personal
relationships and be with others. Besides, Beck (1978, p. 356) adds that there are
many reasons underlying the need for affiliation existed in human lives.
Therefore, those obvious reasons do not merely involve the reason of liking or
loving others. The need for affiliation covers all kind of relationships such as
friendship or partnership.
Worchel and Shebilske (1989) explain that learning and early experiences
affect people with the need for affiliation. The more people feel the essence of
trustworthy and comfortableness in their childhood, the more they develop their
interpersonal relationship in their lives. In contrast, their experience of distrust
and anxiety will affect to people’s interpersonal relationships. On the other hand,
the explanation shows that social comfort and interaction have the influence of the
development of the people with the need for affiliation.

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In order to reduce their anxiety or fear, the people with the need for
affiliation will seek out others who they think can help them cover those particular
feelings. They will naturally avoid others who can increase the feelings. Besides,
they tend to interact more with others, form the more stable friendship, and know
more about their friends. Therefore, the personal traits also affect the development
of the need for affiliation (pp. 399-400).
The presence of others for the people with the need for affiliation may
have bad or good side. Epley as cited in Beck (1978, p.356) explains that there are
three ways, in which the presence of others may reduce the development of the
need for affiliation, as follows.
“First, the other person may serve as a ‘calm’ model for the anxious person
to imitate. Second the companion may do something to distract the subject.
Third, the mere physical presence of another might be fear reducing, even
though the other person does nothing”.
However, when the presence of others can reduce the fear and anxiety of the
people with the need for affiliation, it gives good side to the development of the
people with the need for affiliation.
In sum, the affiliation motivation is defined as the desire to associate with
and be around others. It is affected by the personal traits and learning and early
experiences. The presence of others helps people with the need for affiliation
reduce their feeling of distrust, fear, and anxiety.

B. Review on Pasthunwali
This study aims to reveal the motivation or reason which underlies and
activates a particular behaviour in an individual. As stated before, someone’s

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motivations can be influenced by the cultural background and past life
experiences. Thus, the writer believes that a brief review on the culture setting
should be put in this part.
Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is a novel that reveals Amir’s motivation for
finding Sohrab in Afghanistan, in which this novel mostly takes place.
Afghanistan is a home for many tribes and ethnics. In the novel, Amir belongs to
Pasthun. According to Library of Congress-Federal Research Division (2004, p.
14), Pasthuns are the majority ethnic in Afghanistan with approximately 44% of
the country’s population. They are Shuni Muslims, in which their culture values
influence their belief and behaviour. In the other words, their “distinctive tribal
customs and traditions form an integral part of Pasthuns society.” Rome (2006)
adds that their lives and behaviour are regulated and governed by customs, norms,
codes, and rules called Pastho or Pasthunwali (p. 2).
Pasthunwali means the way of Pasthuns. It is the code of ethnic reflecting
Pasthuns’ cultural values, in which all of Pasthuns, men or women and children or
adults, must believe and obey. According to Kakar (2003), Pasthunwali is integral
to Pasthuns’ identity. It is honor-based society concept. By adhering Pastunwali in
their lives, the Pasthuns possess honor. Without honor, the Pasthuns are not
considered as the real Pasthuns. Barfield (2003) adds that Pasthunwali is
“a code of conduct that stresses personal autonomy and equality of
political rights in a world of equals. Thus it is more than a system of
customary laws, it is a way of life that stresses honor above all else,
including the acquisition of money or poverty (p. 5).”
Pasthunwali is an oral code consisted of some numbers to be practiced by
all Pasthuns. In this part, the writer only presents the codes which are appropriate

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in this study. Those codes are Ghayrat (personal honor), Badal (returning other’s
works, deeds, favors), and Nanawaty (sanctuary). The explanation of those codes
is as follows.

1. Ghayrat (personal honor)
Ghayrat in Pasthunwali means personal honor or self-respect. Barfield
(2003) says that the Pasthuns maintain and preserve their honor painstakingly by
behaving either positive or negative acts at all costs. The positive acts are for
example physical courage, generosity, outstanding public speaking, success in
building political alliances, or winning disputes add to a reputation. Meanwhile,
the negative acts are by defending their honor against insult and/or attack, in
which it is unusual for women to take part (p. 8). Strickland (2007) adds that the
value as a man, “as stressed in childhood, is defined by brave and valorous
conduct in battlefield” (p. 48). Therefore, showing fighting skill in battle is
honorable action for Pasthuns

2. Badal (revenge and returning other’s works, deeds, and favors)
Denzil Ibbetson states that badal has two meanings (as cited in Rome,
2006, p. 3). The first meaning is revenge while the second one is returning other’s
works, deeds, and favors. Rome (2006) explains that “Badal is to be taken not only
by the person who had received damages etc., in any shape, but also by other
members of his family or even sub-tribe or tribe (p. 3).” In case of revenge, Badal

has negative effects and impact because it is taken without consideration for its

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consequences and costs. It causes bloodshed which might continue for years, loss
of lives, and suffer. On the other form and use, such as for returning other’s
works, deeds, and favors, badal has important values in regulating the lives and
works of the people. It impacts on cooperation and unity among people, development,
contribution and assistance, making the communal life easy, and so on.

3. Nanawaty (sanctuary)
The last code described in this part is nanawaty. Accordi