The concept of pashtunwali as shown by Amir as the major character in Khaled Hosseini`s The Kite Runner
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR
AS THE MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S
THE KITE RUNNER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Gilang Adi Prasasti
Student Number: 081214026
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2013
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR
AS THE MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S
THE KITE RUNNER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Gilang Adi Prasasti
Student Number: 081214026
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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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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“Remind yourself.
They are the ones who will hold you still.”
-Saosin-
This thesis is dedicated to my beloved:
Bapak Ignatius Handoko,
Ibu Theresia Hermin Widayati,
And Mas Fx. Risang Baskara.
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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work
or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the
references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, January 14th, 2013
The Writer
Gilang Adi Prasasti
081214026
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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
: Gilang Adi Prasasti
Nomor Mahasiswa
: 081214026
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul :
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR AS THE
MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED 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 saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 14 Januari 2013
Yang menyatakan,
Gilang Adi Prasasti
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ABSTRACT
Prasasti, Gilang Adi. (2013). The Concept of Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir
as the Major Character in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta:
Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyses Khaled Hosseini’s novel entitled The Kite Runner.
The novel tells about the life of a Pashtun named Amir. The novel is worth to
discuss because it raises a socio-cultural issue of the Pashtun as the biggest tribe
existing in Afghanistan.
This study focuses the analysis on the Pashtun’s tribal law called
Pashtunwali as shown by Amir as the major character of the novel. There are two
problems analyzed in this study: (1) What are the characteristics of Amir as
revealed in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner? and (2) How do the characteristics of
Amir reflect the concept of Pashtuwali?
The writer uses library research as the method in conducting this study.
There are two sources of data used in this study; primary source and secondary
source. The primary source is the novel itself, while the secondary sources are
taken from books, journals and articles which discuss character, characterization,
sociocultural-historical approach and the reviews of Pashtunwali.
Based on the analysis, there are two points to be concluded. The first point
is about Amir’s characteristics as revealed in the novel. The writer emphasizes
the analysis on Amir’s characteristics when he has been an adult person. Adult
Amir is described as considerate, generous, responsible, caring, persistent, and
concerned person. Besides, he also has a good achievement in his education and
career. The second point is about Amir’s characteristics which reflect the concept
of Pashtunwali. The writer finds five codes of Pashtunwali which are reflected by
Amir’s characteristics. Those codes are badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and
favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat (personal honor),
namus (defense of the honor of the woman). Badal is done by Amir when he tries
to return Hassan’s and Farid’s good deeds. Amir does melmastia when he
becomes the guest in Wahid’s house. His action in doing both badal and
melmastya shows that Amir is a considerate and generous person. Nanawati is
done by Amir when he asks for Sohrab’s pardon. It shows Amir’s characteristics
as responsible, caring and concerned person. Amir characteristic’s as generous
person shows that he has ghayrat, the personal honor of the Pashtuns. Namus is
done by Amir when he keeps his love for his wife, Soraya, although Soraya has a
dark past life. It shows Amir’s characteristics as persistent and caring person.
This study provides a suggestion for future researchers who are interested
in studying Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner from the other aspects. This study
also provides a suggestion for English teachers to teach reading by using The Kite
Runner as teaching material.
Keywords: Character, Pashtunwali, The Kite Runner
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ABSTRAK
Prasasti, Gilang Adi. (2013). The Concept of Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir
as the Major Character in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta:
Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini menganalisa sebuah novel dari Khaled Hosseini yang berjudul
The Kite Runner. Novel ini menceritakan kehidupan seorang Pashtun bernama
Amir, dan usaha yang dilakukan Amir untuk memperbaiki kehidupan masa
kecilnya dimana Amir menganggap dirinya sebagai seorang pendosa karena
mengkhianati sahabatnya yang bernama Hassan. Novel ini berharga untuk dibahas
karena mengangkat isu sosio-kultural yang terjadi dalam suku Pashtun yang
notabene menjadi suku terbesar di Afghanistan.
Studi ini menganalisis sebuah hukum adat dalam suku Pashtun,
Pashtunwali, yang dilakukan oleh Amir sebagai karakter utama di dalam novel.
Terdapat dua rumusan permasalah di dalam studi ini: (1) Apa sajakah karakteristik
Amir yang ada di dalam novel? dan (2) Bagaimana karakteristik Amir
mencerminkan konsep Pashtunwali?
Penulis menggunakan studi pustaka sebagai metode yang digunakan
dalam studi ini. Ada dua jenis data yang digunakan; data primer dan data
sekunder. Data primer dalam studi ini adalah novel The Kite Runner, sementara
data sekundernya berupa buku dan artikel yang membahas karakter, karakterisasi,
pendekatan sosiokultural-historikal dan ulasan mengenai Pashtunwali.
Ada dua poin kesimpulan yang didapat dari hasil analisis. Poin pertama
yaitu mengenai karakteristik apa saja yang dimiliki oleh Amir. penulis
menekankan analisa karakteristik amir ketika dia sudah beranjak dewasa. Amir
ketika dewasa dideskripsikan sebagai orang yang pengertian, baik hati,
bertanggungjawab, penyayang, keras hati dan perhatian. Disamping itu, Amir juga
mempunyai prestasi akademik dan karir yang baik. Poin kedua yaitu mengenai
bagaimana karakteristik Amir merefleksikan konsep Pashtunwali. penulis
menemukan lima kode dari Pashtunwali yang berhubungan dengan karakteristik
Amir. kode-kode tersebut adalah badal (balas budi), melmastia (keramahtamahan), nanawati (perlindungan), ghayrat (kehormatan pribadi), dan namus
(mempertahankan kehormatan perempuan). Badal dilakukan oleh amir ketika dia
mencoba untuk membalas budi kepada Hassan dan Farid. Amir melakukan
melmastya dia menjadi tamu di rumah Wahid. Badal dan melmastia yang
dilakukan oleh Amir menunjukan bahwa dia adalah orang yang pengertian dan
baik hati. Amir melakukan nanawati ketika dia meminta permohonan maaf dari
Sohrab, yang menunjukan bahwa Amir adalah orang yang bertanggungjawab,
penyayang dan perhatian. Karakteristik Amir sebagai orang yang baik hati
menunjukkan bahwa dia adalah seorang Pashtun yang memiliki kehormatan
pribadi. Amir melakukan namus ketika dia tetap menjaga cinta kepada istrinya,
Soraya, walaupun Soraya memiliki masa lalu yang kelam. Itu menunjukkan
bahwa Amir adalah orang yang keras hati dan penyayang.
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Studi ini menyediakan saran untuk penelitian lebih lanjut yang membahas
novel The Kite Runner. Para peneliti dapat menganalisis pengaruh karakterkarakter lain dalam perkembangan kepribadian Amir. Studi ini juga menyediakan
saran untuk para guru bahasa Inggris dalam mengajar skill membaca dengan
menggunakan novel The Kite Runner sebagai materi ajar.
Kata Kunci: Character, Pashtunwali, The Kite Runner
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Almighty God,
Jesus Christ, for His blessing and guidance since the years especially in the
process of finishing my thesis. I also thank Mother Mary and all the saints who
always send my prayer to Him.
My deep gratitude goes to my advisor, Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum.,
who never stops encouraging me to finish my thesis. I thank her for reading my
thesis, correcting, and giving me ideas and suggestions. Without her patience and
kindness in advising me, I absolutely cannot complete this thesis.
My greatest gratitude is also dedicated to my beloved parents, Ignatius
Handoko and Theresia Hermin Widayati, for their unlimited love, trust, prayer,
and support. For my beloved big brother, Fx. Risang Baskara, who is always
there when I need his help.
I would like to thank all of the lecturers in English Education Study
Program for their lecture and for sharing their knowledge. Sincere thanks also go
to Sr. Margaret O’ Donohue FCJ, for her patience in helping to correct and
proofread my thesis. I would also like to show my proper appreciation to all of
the secretarial, library staff, and all employees in Sanata Dharma University
for helping me during my study.
My special thanks go to my friends in PBI 2008, especially Yuanita, Sr.
Klarina, Arinto, Dimas, Nala, Clara, Kristin, Wanda, Jastia, Mari, Elista,
Anggi, Pauline, Andrew, Brian and all of my best friends from other faculties
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in Sanata Dharma University, especially from UKM Sepak Bola that I cannot
mention one by one. I thank them for being my friends and I would never forget
our friendship.
Lastly, I earnestly would like to thank all of the great people whom I
cannot mention one by one. I thank them for helping and supporting me in
finishing my thesis. May Jesus always bless them.
Gilang Adi Prasasti
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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 .................................................................
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................
xii
LIST OF APPENDICES......................................................................
xv
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION .........................................................
1
A. Background of the Study ...................................................................
1
B. Problem Formulation.........................................................................
4
C. Objective of the Study .......................................................................
4
D. Benefits of the Study .........................................................................
4
E. Definition of Terms ...........................................................................
5
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ..................
6
A. Review of Related Study ...................................................................
6
B. Review of Related Theories...............................................................
7
1. Sociocultural-historical approach ..................................................
8
2. Character and Characterization .....................................................
9
3. The Pashtun’s Tribal Law: Pashtunwali ........................................
11
a. Badal (Returning other’s works, deeds, and favors) ..................
12
b. Melmastia (hospitality).............................................................
13
c. Nanawati (sanctuary) ...............................................................
14
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d. Ghayrat (personal honor) .........................................................
15
e. Namus (defense of the honor of woman) ..................................
16
f. Jirga (council)..........................................................................
17
C. Theoretical Framework .....................................................................
17
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY .....................................................
19
A. Object of the Study............................................................................
19
B. Approach of the Study .......................................................................
20
C. Method of the Study ..........................................................................
21
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ..................................................................
22
A. Amir’s Characteristics .......................................................................
22
1. Considerate ...................................................................................
23
2. Generous ......................................................................................
26
3. Responsible ..................................................................................
27
4. Caring...........................................................................................
29
a. Caring for his father, Baba .......................................................
29
b. Caring for his wife, Soraya .......................................................
31
c. Caring for his nephew, Sohrab .................................................
32
5. Persistent ......................................................................................
34
6. Concerned ....................................................................................
35
7. Having Good Achievements in Education and Career ..................
36
B. Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir’s Characteristics...............................
37
1. Badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors)........................
38
2. Melmastia (hospitality) .................................................................
41
3. Nanawati (sanctuary) ....................................................................
43
4. Ghayrat (personal Honor) .............................................................
45
5. Namus (defense of the honor of woman) .......................................
46
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .....................
49
A. Conclusions.......................................................................................
49
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B. Suggestions .......................................................................................
52
1. Suggestion for Future Researchers ................................................
53
2. Suggestion for English Teachers ...................................................
53
3. The implementation of Teaching X Grade Students of Senior
High School Using The Kite Runner .............................................
55
REFERENCES ....................................................................................
56
APPENDICES .....................................................................................
58
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Page
Appendix A: Summary of The Kite Runner ………………………….
59
Appendix B: Khaled Hosseini’s Biography ………………………….
63
Appendix C: Lesson Plan …………………………………………….
67
Appendix D: Students’ Handout ……………………………………..
75
Appendix E: Exercise Activity ……………………………………….
77
Appendix F: Students’ Answer Sheet ………………………………..
79
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of five sections. They are background of the study,
problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition
of terms. Background of the study gives the explanation about the topic of this
study. Objectives of the study states the purpose of conducting this study and it is
in the form of list of questions. Problem formulation consists of two questions,
which explain the problems that are analyzed in the study. Benefits of the study
give explanation of who will get the benefits of the study. The last section,
definition of terms, gives the explanation of some important terms used in this
study.
A. Background of the Study
Literary works basically become the reflection of human’s real life. It can
be in the form of novels, poems, poetry, plays, etc. Novel is chosen in this study
because it is considered as one kind of literary work that clearly reflects the
condition of human’s real life. As stated by Langland (1984), the condition in the
real world can be applied in the form of art (pp. 5-6).
The condition of existing society in the world can be one of the
backgrounds of the writing of a literary work. From the literary work, the readers
can learn the knowledge of the characteristics of a society. For example, the
readers know the culture and the norms that exist within that society. Furthermore,
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2
Little (1963) states that literature contains “the record of value, thoughts,
problems and conflicts that are transmitted by both written and spoken words as
the tool to pass the experience from one generation to the next” (p. 1).
An individual plays an important part within the society. In 2000, Seale,
Filmer, Jenks, and Walsh restate Webber’s idea about the existence of a society.
Society will exist when individual interacts with each other, and during the
interaction they share the same way of thinking (p. 287).
There are some reasons why The Kite Runner is chosen for this study. This
novel is Khaled Hosseini’s first novel and later becomes a best seller novel which
wins several prizes, such as the South African Book prize in 2004. Second reason
is that this novel raises the issue of the Afghan’s life. Up to now, there are very
limited literary works discussing Afghan’s life, especially its culture since the
country is trapped in the erratic condition as the result of war. It is very interesting
to know how the Afghans actually behave in their daily life and also to know what
factor that influences their behavior within the society.
The literary work which is used in this study is a novel entitled The Kite
Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The story tells about the life of a Pashtun named
Amir and his effort in fixing his past life where he considers himself committing a
sin in betraying his close friend, Hassan. Hassan is a very loyal person, especially
to Amir. Both Amir and Hassan are the same age, and they share several
similarities as kids. The only thing that differentiates them is the fact that they
come from different tribe. Amir is a Pashtun, while Hassan is a Hazara. The
Pashtun is the biggest tribe in Afghanistan, while the Hazara only becomes the
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minor tribe there. That fact becomes a trigger for Amir’s personal problem with
Hassan. The problem happens when Amir witnesses Hassan being raped by Assef
and his friends. Since that incident, the relationship between Amir and Hassan is
getting worst.
After reading the novel, the writer gets the point that Khaled Hosseini
actually wants to share the real conditions of Afghanistan in his novel. Hosseini
gives clear description of the society, the culture, and the condition before and
after war in Afghanistan. Those descriptions are told by using Amir’s point of
view. Since Amir is a Pashtun, the social condition and the culture that are exists
in Pashtun society is mostly exposed. From the novel, the writer can know the
social condition in Afghanistan where the Hazaras have never had an equal
position with the Pashtuns within the society. The writer also can know the
cultures existing in Afghanistan. One of it is the kite tournament which is held
once a year by the Pashtuns. The writer gets the insight that the war changes the
life of the Afghans. Those who are surviving from the war are the wealthy person
who moves to the foreign country.
The topic of this study is how Amir’s characteristics reflect the concept of
Pashtunwali. Pahtunwali is the tribal law of the Pashtun. This study tries to
explore the topic because Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is told using Amir’s point
of view. The most important thing is the condition where Amir narrates the story
through a time-development events. After conducting this study, the writer
expects to know whether Amir’s characteristics are actually the reflection of the
concept of Pashtunwali or not.
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B. Problem Formulation
This study is conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Amir as revealed in Hosseini’s The Kite
Runner?
2. How do the characteristics of Amir reflect the concept of Pashtunwali?
C. Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of Amir as the
main character in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. This study concerns on analyzing
the personal characteristics of Amir. After analyzing Amir’s characteristics, this
study explores those characteristics which become the reflection of the concept of
Pashtunwali.
D. Benefits of the Study
Generally, the aims of this study are to enrich the knowledge of literary
study and to give more references about the culture existing in middle-east
countries, especially in Afghanistan. Since there are only limited access on
Afghan’s literature, the writer hopes that this study can provide deeper
information of the Afghanistan’s culture. Moreover, the writer expects that this
study can inspire future research of The Kite Runner. The future research can
analyze other aspects from this novel, such as the analysis of characters that is
viewed from psychological approach.
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E. Definition of Terms
There are two terms which should be defined further within this study. The
first term is Pashtunwali. Kakar (2003) states that Pashtunwali is a tribal law
existing in Pashtun society in Afghanistan (p. 3). Meanwhile, Barfield (2003)
categorizes Pashtunwali into six major concepts. They are badal (returning other’s
works, deeds, and favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat
(personal honor), namus (defense of the honor of woman), and jirga (council). In
this study, Pashtunwali refers to the tribal law existing in the society where Amir
lives. It takes place in Afghanistan (Amir’s childhood) and in United Stated
(Amir’s older life). Since this study concerns on the codes of Pashtunwali that are
shown by the characteristics of an individual, jirga is not discussed.
The second term described in this study is character. A character can be
analyzed by the action, the way he/she talks in the dialogue, the thought, and the
opinion from the others characters. Gill (1995) defines the character as “someone
in literary work who has some sort of identity, it needn’t be a strong one, an
identity which is made up by appearance, conversation, action, name and
(possibly) thoughts going on in the head” (p. 124). Character in this study refers to
Amir, who becomes the major character in the novel. He is a Pashtun who lives
with his rich father. Since the story is told in a time-development frame, Amir
develops both his physical appearance and characteristics.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter consists of two sections. The first section is review of related
study, which deals with the previous study that is related with the object and the
topic of this study. The second section is review of related theories that explains
some theories which are related to this study. Review of related theories gives
explanation of the theories of critical approaches, theory of literature such as
theory of character and characterization, and also the review of Afghan’s
customary law called Pashtunwali. Theoretical framework becomes the last part in
this chapter. It gives a brief summary about the theories which are used in this
study.
A. Review of Related Study
The analysis on Pashtun’s tribal law, Pashtunwali, in Khaled Hosseini’s
The Kite Runner has been done before by one of the alumni of Sanata Dharma
University named Fransisca Ika Destia Putranti. She writes a thesis titled An
Analysis of Pashtun Tribal Codes (Pashtunwali) as Seen in Khaled Hosseini’s The
Kite Runner. The reasons why Putranti writes her thesis are because she can learn
one of the Afghan’s culture called kite championship and she thinks that the novel
becomes the reflection of frightening condition during Taliban regime (2012, pp.
3-4).
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7
In her thesis, Putranti finds that the codes of Pashtunwali existing in the
novel are chivalry (ghayrat and nang), hospitality (melmastya), and proper
defense of honor (purdah and namus). Later on, she puts that analysis based on
three different Afghanistan’s sociopolitical condition. They are the last days of
monarchy of Zahir Shah and the regime that overthrew him, political asylum
during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and the Taliban Afghanistan regime.
This study can be said as the further research of Putranti’s study. There
are two points that differentiate this study with Putranti’s study. First, the writer
gives broader information of the codes of Pahtunwali that has not been discussed
by Putranti; badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors) and nanawati
(sanctuary). Second, this study concerns on the codes of Pashtunwali as done by
Amir, the major character in the novel. The writer sees that since Putranti
concerns her analysis on the whole part of the novel, the analysis of Pashtunwali
as done by individual character has not been explored well. Therefore, the writer
conducts this study as the further analysis on the topic that Putranti has discussed
before.
B. Review of Related Theories
This section consists of two main theories which are used in this study.
Theory of critical approach becomes the first theory. It will help the writer to
analyze the literary work. Critical approach which is used is socioculturalhistorical approach since this study concerns on exploring the Pashtun’s tribal
law, Pashtunwali, as shown by Amir’s characteristics. The second theories are
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
8
theories of character and characterization. These theories are used to explore all of
the information about major character in this study. Besides, this study also uses
the review of Pashtunwali to find out what Pashtunwali is.
1. Sociocultural-Historical Approach
Rohrberger and Woods (1971) propose five approaches that can be used in
revealing the meaning of a story. Those five approaches are formalist approach,
biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic approach
and psychological approach. This study concerns on analyzing the existing tribal
law that are shown in the novel called Pashtunwali. Therefore, socioculturalhistorical approach is used. Rohrberger and Woods define the socioculturalhistorical approach as follows.
The sociocultural-historical approach insists that the only way to locate the
real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it. They define
civilization as the attitudes and actions of a specific group of people and
point out that literature takes place attitudes and actions as subject matter.
(p. 9)
Rohrberger and Woods also say that not all of the aspects in socioculturalhistorical approach have a moral interest to be raised (p. 10). However, it can still
lead to an ethical view of what the author wants to imply in his work. The
example of it is ”the humanists who see a literary works as a criticism of life that
affects men in their society” (p. 10).
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2. Character and Characterization
Kennedy and Gioia (1999) give a clear definition of what character is.
Character is “presumably an imaged person who inhabits a story” (p. 60). This
statement emphasizes that character may not only be a human (e.g. animals), but
this character actually represents human characteristics that are familiar to the
reader.
Forster, as stated by Gill (1995), defines two terms in discussing the types
of characters; flat character and round character (p. 130). Thomas and Johnson
(2006) state that flat characters “usually have only one or two predominant traits;
they can be summed up in a sentence or two” (p. 64). They tend to stay the same
throughout a story. Therefore, it is easy to define flat characters. The next type of
character is round characters. Round characters are “complex and many-sided;
they are the three-dimensional quality of real people” (Thomas & Johnson, 2006,
p. 64). Since round characters have more than two predominant traits, it is
difficult to define them.
According to Murphy (1972), there are nine ways on how the characters
are presented by the author (pp. 161-173). Those nine ways can be explained as
follows.
a. Personal Description
The author can describe the character in the novel by his/ her appearance and what
he or she wears.
b. Character as Seen by Others
The author can use the opinions of other characters to describe a character.
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c. Speech
The author can describe a character through the character’s speech. The readers
can conclude the personality traits of the character when he or she speaks, when
he or she gets involved in a conversation with others, and when he or she states
his or her opinion.
d. Past Life
The readers are able to know the characteristics of a character by learning his or
her past life. What was done in a character’s past life will give a great contribution
in shaping his or her characteristics.
e. Conversation of Others
The author can describe the characteristics of a character through the conversation
of others characters. What they say about the character will become the clues in
revealing that character’s characteristics.
f. Reactions
The readers can know the characteristics of a character by looking at that
character’s reactions in various situations and events.
g. Direct Comment
The author can explore the characteristics of the character explicitly by describing
or giving comment on that character.
h. Thought
The author can describe the characteristics of a character through what that
character has in mind.
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i. Mannerisms
Through the character’s mannerisms and habits, the author can depict the real
characteristics of that character.
3. Pashtun’s Tribal Law: Pashtunwali
Pashtunwali means “doing Pashtu” or “being Pashtu”. Pashtunwali is
defined as “the most comprehensive and elaborate of the customary law systems
in Afghanistan” (Landinfo, 2012, p. 6). It becomes the life guidance for the
Pashtuns which covers social order, rights and obligations, morals and code of
honors. Barfield (2003) adds that Pashtunwali becomes “a code of conduct that
stresses personal autonomy and equality of political rights in a world of equal” (p.
5).
Knowing the socio-economic organizational setting of the Pashtuns is a
way in understanding the Pashtunwali deeper. There are two types of socioeconomic organization; the qalang (tax) group and the nang (chivalrous) group.
The qalang can be defined as the urban and landowning Pashtuns, while the nang
is the pastoral, nomadic and hill Pashtuns. Kakar (2003) states that the distinction
of this socio-economic organization is very helpful in identifying the differences
of the conceptual framework of Pashtunwali (p. 3). Barfield (2003) gives further
explanation about what Pashtunwali is in accordance with the basic principle of
personal condition within the society.
This 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,
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including the acquisition of money or property. It is a code that is
practically impossible to fulfill in a class structured society or in areas
where governments prohibit such institutions as blood feuds. (p. 5)
Pashtunwali is formed as the part of oral tradition of the Pashtuns which
contains a number of variations. Later on, Barfield (2003) categorizes these
variations into six major codes. They are badal (returning other’s works, deeds,
and favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat (personal
honor), namus (defense of the honor of woman), and jirga (council). From those
codes, only jirga that is not related with individual autonomy, because it directly
deals with the role of council within the society.
a. Badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors)
Sultan (2006) states that badal is “one of the greatest, if not the greatest of
all, commandments of Pukhtu” (p. 2). He says that there are two major meanings
of badal. First, badal in positive meaning, is the action “for assisting others for
their assistance in any work or any way; to return someone else work(s), deed(s),
and favors” (p. 2). Second, badal in negative meaning, is badal as the revenge.
Barfield (2003) states that badal as the revenge becomes unwritten manual for an
individual to seek personal justice for something bad happened to him or his
group (p. 5). It covers the revenges of murder, beating, injury, raping, and damage
to honor.
The execution of badal as the revenge is complex. It can directly be done
by the person who has been the victim. The other way is that badal is done by
others. Sultan (2006) says that “badal is to be taken not only by the person who
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had received damages, in any shape, but also by other member of his family
members and even sometime sub-tribe or tribe” (p. 2).
Badal brings both negative and positive effects within the society. The
negative effect of it is that badal as the revenge will cause a never ending
bloodshed which involves innocent person. It can be an excuse for the people to
do violence to others. On the other hand, badal also brings positive effect. Sultan
(2006) states that “having that firm concept which exists within the society will
help people in maintaining peace, order and respect of human life” (p. 3). In the
other words, people will get the positive effect from badal when they stop to take
revenge of what has happened to them.
b. Melmastia (hospitality)
As stated by Barfield (2003), melmastia becomes the guidance of rights
and obligations conducted by both hosts and guests (p. 7). For the hosts, it
demands that the guests should be welcomed without question and be given the
best of whatever they have in their house. The guests not only get the food and
shelter, but also the protection as well from the host. In poorer village, the men’s
house or mosque can be used to receive guests. The responsibilities to take care
the guests are shared among the households in that village.
Sultan (2006) states there are two kinds of guests (p. 3). The first is the
guests who have the responsibility to return or reciprocate the melmastia. These
guests are well-known by the host and are established in his life. The second is the
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guests who are not likely to return or reciprocate the melmastia. Usually, these
guests are not known and are poor wayfarers, called by khudayi melmanah.
Barfield (2003) adds that there are two social issues raised within
melmastia (p. 7). First, this concept will allow the poor traveler with less money
and stocks to do a safe travel. Second, it will solve the problem of how to ensure
one’s security in the case of travelling in unknown places.
Kakar (2003) also adds that “a pashtun’s honor is sustained by hospitality
in that it increases the number of social networks he or she has access to” (p. 3).
The larger the social network, the more legislative authority a Pashtun will have.
In men’s social network, hospitality has more institutionalized among the qalang
Pashtuns. Qalang Pashtuns are the urban and landowning Pashtuns.
c. Nanawati (sanctuary)
According to Barfield (2003), nanawati is “a right to seek protection,
request pardon or demand help from more powerful person or kin group by a
weaker one” (p. 7). This concept is usually done by the Pashtun who leaves his
own community to look for permanent protection. Nanawati is seen as a way to
avoid the bloodshed caused the implementation of badal. People who want to
avoid badal as the revenge usually choose nanawati as a way out. Nanawati is
chosen because considering conciliation as the more effective way than the
bloodshed. In addition, Sultan (2006) explains that there are five steps in asking
nanawati (p. 10). They are by meeting the person whom asked for his or her
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pardon, admitting the guilt, expressing the shame and unlikeness for, throwing
himself or the guilty one on the mercy of the enemy, and seeking pardon.
There are some problems during the process of doing nanawati. Not every
nanawati is successfully done. Both the guilty person and the victim may cause
the failure of it. Barfield (2003) explains that this concept is done only for
extreme cases, because it is needed the guilty person’s declaration of his weakness
and powerless autonomy (p. 8). Not the entire guilty people want to do that,
especially when they come from qalang Pashtuns. The victim also does not
always give the pardon for the guilty person. It is influenced by the assumption
that giving pardon for the guilty person will make him look weak. When nanawati
cannot be settled by the guilty person and the victim, later the victim will ask for
badal as the revenge.
d. Ghayrat (personal honor)
According to Kakar (2003), ghayrat is defined by two sets of normative
practices; they are actions in battle and proper defense in honor (pp. 3-4). Norms
in battle include rules about who may be attacked, for example, not civilians or
the proper distribution of war spoils. Honor is given to those who show fighting
skills. This concept is proper for male Pashtuns, since it is not usual for woman to
engage in combat. However, the female Pashtuns still can show their role by
supporting the male fighters by displaying their head shawl (poranai) to spur on
the fight.
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Barfield (2003) states that there are several ways for the Pashtuns to
achieve personal honor besides directly joining into the physical acts. It can be
achieved by doing other positive acts such as generosity, outstanding public
speaking, success in building political alliances, or winning disputes add to a
reputation (p. 8). The other important way is by defending a reputation against
insult or attack. It includes the protection one’s property, the response of personal
attacks such as insults and disrespects, and the willingness to sacrifice wealth or
even life to preserve one’s reputation.
e. Namus (defense of the honor of woman)
Barfield (2003) says that woman’s weaker role within the society is
sometimes harnessed by man in doing bad things to them (p. 8). The existence of
namus gives woman a guarantee for expressing themselves within the society.
Any attacks or misbehaviors on woman means attacks or misbehaviors on a man’s
honor (male relatives). Man’s job is to protect woman from that things. When
they fail to do that, it means that the man is not worthy to receive respect
(Landinfo, 2012, p. 7).
In the same time, namus also gives the limitation of rights and obligations
that should be done by woman. The behavior of a woman influences the whole
group or family status, especially for the male relatives (father, husband, brother).
For example, it is prohibited for woman to have improper sexual activity. When
the male relatives of the woman know it, they have the right to punish the woman
in order to keep their family status.
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f. Jirga (council)
According to Kakar (2003), jirga becomes the legislative authority in
Pashtunwali (p. 6). The council itself is organized by the Pashtun in village and
regional levels. Jirga decides everything by doing consensus and the decision
must be respected by the entire member within the society. The Pashtuns who sit
in the council should be the honorable persons, which means that they have
practiced Pashtunwali well. Usually, the members of the council are wealthy and
well-known person. The council itself is dominated by men, although women also
have the right to be involved there.
Jirga can be done in either a private place or in a public place, such as
mosque (Landinfo, 2012, p. 12). The smallest part of it is called maraka. The
number of members in a jirga depends on the case which is discussed. For
example, when it discusses the conflict occurring within a family, the jirga
members will be a few people that the family trusts. When the conflict cannot be
done within the maraka, it will be discussed in a broader jirga called tukhum (p.
12). The decisions made by the tukhum to solve the conflict are final and cannot
be appealed.
C. Theoretical Framework
This study focuses on the Pashtun’s tribal law called pashtunwali as shown
by Amir’s characteristics. Therefore, this study uses sociocultural-historical
approach as the best approach since this approach focuses on the civilization and
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cultural background. The civilization and cultural background which is shown in
the novel is the Pashtun society and its tribal law called Pashtunwali.
This study formulates two problems to be answered. According to the first
problem formulation, the writer tries to find out the characteristics of the major
character named Amir as portrayed in the novel. These characteristics of the major
character are discovered by using theory of character and characterization. By
using Murphy’s theory on characterization, this study focuses on getting the
information of the major character that can be found in the novel through
character’s thought, character’s reaction, character’s speech, and mannerism.
Based on the second problem formulation, the writer tries to find out how
the characteristics of the major character actually become the reflection of the
concept of Pashtunwali. The review of Pashtun’s tribal law, Pashtunwali, is used
to explore what Pashtunwali is. Then, this study tries to reveal whether the
concept of the Pashtunwali is actually reflected by Amir’s characteristics or not.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three sections. They are object of the study,
approach of the study, and method of the study. The first is object of the study. It
deals with the subject of the study. The second is approach of the study which
concerns on the literature approaches. The last is method of the study. It deals
with the sources that are used in analyzing the study. Method of the study also
deals with the steps and the process done in the study.
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study is a novel entitled The Kite Runner. It was the first
novel written by Khaled Hosseini. It was first published by Bloomsbury Publisher
in 2003. The Kite Runner consists of 340 pages which are divided into 25
chapters. The first chapter of this novel is the introduction. Overall, the story in
this novel is told using the major character’s first point of view. The name of the
major character in this novel is Amir. However, there is a chapter which is told
using first point of view of the other character named Rahim Khan.
The Kite Runner tells about the life of a Pashtun named Amir. Amir has a
close friend named Hassan who is the son of Amir’s family servant, Baba. Both
Amir and Hassan share the same hobby which is playing kite. Amir is known as a
good kite controller, while Hassan as his partner becomes the kite runner. Once,
they win a prestigious kite tournament which is held in the city. The winning
19
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20
brings happiness and pride to them. However, an incident happens not long after
Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament. Later on, it becomes the starting point
of the destruction of Amir and Hassan’s friendship. The story goes on until Amir
and Hassan separate from each other. Amir moves to United States with his
father, Baba. Meanwhile, Hassan follows his father, who soon stops working as
Amir’s family servant, and come back to their hometown.
Amir feels that he has committed a sin when he breaks his friendship with
Hassan. It is the sin that becomes a nightmare in Amir’s older life, although it has
happened long time ago. The chance to fix his sin comes when Baba’s friend,
Rahim Khan, tells surprising news to Amir. Actually, Hassan is Amir’s younger
step-brother. However, he has passed away. Rahim Khan tells Amir that Hassan
has a son named Sohrab, and the only way to fix Amir’s sin is by saving Sohrab
who is trapped in erratic situation in Afghanistan.
B. Approach of the Study
The focus of this study is the concept of Pashtunwali as shown by Amir as
the major character in The Kite Runner. The major character of the novel, named
Amir, is a person who lives in Pasthun society. As the member of the society, his
behavior more or less is influenced by the society.
In order to find the concept of Pashtunwali as shown in Amir’s
characteristics, the writer applies sociocultural-historical approach. This approach
is used in order to analyze the society and the culture that become the background
of the story. Socio-cultural approach becomes the way to locate the real work is in
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
21
reference to the civilization that produces it. In other words, it can be said that a
literary work is influenced by the social background of the society. The social
condition, in this case is how the Pashtuns behave in their daily life, can
contribute a great support to the analysis on the concept of Pashtunwali as shown
in Amir’s characteristics.
C. Method of the Study
This study is a library research. It includes the analysis on books, journals,
and articles as the sources of the study. There are some steps in conducting this
study. The first step is choosing the novel which would be the object of the study.
Here, the writer chose Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The second step is
reading the novel. The writer read the entire novel to know how the story went
from the beginning until the end. During the reading, the writer found some
important findings that were interesting to be discussed.
The third step is collecting the findings and formulating it as the problems
to be analyzed in the study. The writer formulated two problem questions in this
study. The fourth step are finding, collecting, and reading the secondary sources
of the study. The writer decided to look for the theories and some reviews related
to the study from some sources such as books, journals, and articles. The writer
did the analysis right after getting the appropriate theories and some reviews
related to the problem formulations of the study. After getting the analysis, the
writer tried to compare them. Finally, as the last step, the writer made a
conclusion for this study.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This study concerns on Amir, the major character of the novel, and the
concept of Pashtunwali as shown by his characteristics. The discussion will be
divided into two sections based on the problem formulations in the previous
chapter. First section is the discussion of Amir’s characteristics. Next, the second
section on this chapter will discuss the concept of Pashtunwali as shown by
Amir’s ch
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR
AS THE MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S
THE KITE RUNNER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Gilang Adi Prasasti
Student Number: 081214026
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2013
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR
AS THE MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S
THE KITE RUNNER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Gilang Adi Prasasti
Student Number: 081214026
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2013
i
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
iii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
“Remind yourself.
They are the ones who will hold you still.”
-Saosin-
This thesis is dedicated to my beloved:
Bapak Ignatius Handoko,
Ibu Theresia Hermin Widayati,
And Mas Fx. Risang Baskara.
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STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY
I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work
or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the
references, as a scientific paper should.
Yogyakarta, January 14th, 2013
The Writer
Gilang Adi Prasasti
081214026
v
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
: Gilang Adi Prasasti
Nomor Mahasiswa
: 081214026
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul :
THE CONCEPT OF PASHTUNWALI AS SHOWN BY AMIR AS THE
MAJOR CHARACTER IN KHALED 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 saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 14 Januari 2013
Yang menyatakan,
Gilang Adi Prasasti
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
Prasasti, Gilang Adi. (2013). The Concept of Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir
as the Major Character in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta:
Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyses Khaled Hosseini’s novel entitled The Kite Runner.
The novel tells about the life of a Pashtun named Amir. The novel is worth to
discuss because it raises a socio-cultural issue of the Pashtun as the biggest tribe
existing in Afghanistan.
This study focuses the analysis on the Pashtun’s tribal law called
Pashtunwali as shown by Amir as the major character of the novel. There are two
problems analyzed in this study: (1) What are the characteristics of Amir as
revealed in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner? and (2) How do the characteristics of
Amir reflect the concept of Pashtuwali?
The writer uses library research as the method in conducting this study.
There are two sources of data used in this study; primary source and secondary
source. The primary source is the novel itself, while the secondary sources are
taken from books, journals and articles which discuss character, characterization,
sociocultural-historical approach and the reviews of Pashtunwali.
Based on the analysis, there are two points to be concluded. The first point
is about Amir’s characteristics as revealed in the novel. The writer emphasizes
the analysis on Amir’s characteristics when he has been an adult person. Adult
Amir is described as considerate, generous, responsible, caring, persistent, and
concerned person. Besides, he also has a good achievement in his education and
career. The second point is about Amir’s characteristics which reflect the concept
of Pashtunwali. The writer finds five codes of Pashtunwali which are reflected by
Amir’s characteristics. Those codes are badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and
favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat (personal honor),
namus (defense of the honor of the woman). Badal is done by Amir when he tries
to return Hassan’s and Farid’s good deeds. Amir does melmastia when he
becomes the guest in Wahid’s house. His action in doing both badal and
melmastya shows that Amir is a considerate and generous person. Nanawati is
done by Amir when he asks for Sohrab’s pardon. It shows Amir’s characteristics
as responsible, caring and concerned person. Amir characteristic’s as generous
person shows that he has ghayrat, the personal honor of the Pashtuns. Namus is
done by Amir when he keeps his love for his wife, Soraya, although Soraya has a
dark past life. It shows Amir’s characteristics as persistent and caring person.
This study provides a suggestion for future researchers who are interested
in studying Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner from the other aspects. This study
also provides a suggestion for English teachers to teach reading by using The Kite
Runner as teaching material.
Keywords: Character, Pashtunwali, The Kite Runner
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ABSTRAK
Prasasti, Gilang Adi. (2013). The Concept of Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir
as the Major Character in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Yogyakarta:
Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini menganalisa sebuah novel dari Khaled Hosseini yang berjudul
The Kite Runner. Novel ini menceritakan kehidupan seorang Pashtun bernama
Amir, dan usaha yang dilakukan Amir untuk memperbaiki kehidupan masa
kecilnya dimana Amir menganggap dirinya sebagai seorang pendosa karena
mengkhianati sahabatnya yang bernama Hassan. Novel ini berharga untuk dibahas
karena mengangkat isu sosio-kultural yang terjadi dalam suku Pashtun yang
notabene menjadi suku terbesar di Afghanistan.
Studi ini menganalisis sebuah hukum adat dalam suku Pashtun,
Pashtunwali, yang dilakukan oleh Amir sebagai karakter utama di dalam novel.
Terdapat dua rumusan permasalah di dalam studi ini: (1) Apa sajakah karakteristik
Amir yang ada di dalam novel? dan (2) Bagaimana karakteristik Amir
mencerminkan konsep Pashtunwali?
Penulis menggunakan studi pustaka sebagai metode yang digunakan
dalam studi ini. Ada dua jenis data yang digunakan; data primer dan data
sekunder. Data primer dalam studi ini adalah novel The Kite Runner, sementara
data sekundernya berupa buku dan artikel yang membahas karakter, karakterisasi,
pendekatan sosiokultural-historikal dan ulasan mengenai Pashtunwali.
Ada dua poin kesimpulan yang didapat dari hasil analisis. Poin pertama
yaitu mengenai karakteristik apa saja yang dimiliki oleh Amir. penulis
menekankan analisa karakteristik amir ketika dia sudah beranjak dewasa. Amir
ketika dewasa dideskripsikan sebagai orang yang pengertian, baik hati,
bertanggungjawab, penyayang, keras hati dan perhatian. Disamping itu, Amir juga
mempunyai prestasi akademik dan karir yang baik. Poin kedua yaitu mengenai
bagaimana karakteristik Amir merefleksikan konsep Pashtunwali. penulis
menemukan lima kode dari Pashtunwali yang berhubungan dengan karakteristik
Amir. kode-kode tersebut adalah badal (balas budi), melmastia (keramahtamahan), nanawati (perlindungan), ghayrat (kehormatan pribadi), dan namus
(mempertahankan kehormatan perempuan). Badal dilakukan oleh amir ketika dia
mencoba untuk membalas budi kepada Hassan dan Farid. Amir melakukan
melmastya dia menjadi tamu di rumah Wahid. Badal dan melmastia yang
dilakukan oleh Amir menunjukan bahwa dia adalah orang yang pengertian dan
baik hati. Amir melakukan nanawati ketika dia meminta permohonan maaf dari
Sohrab, yang menunjukan bahwa Amir adalah orang yang bertanggungjawab,
penyayang dan perhatian. Karakteristik Amir sebagai orang yang baik hati
menunjukkan bahwa dia adalah seorang Pashtun yang memiliki kehormatan
pribadi. Amir melakukan namus ketika dia tetap menjaga cinta kepada istrinya,
Soraya, walaupun Soraya memiliki masa lalu yang kelam. Itu menunjukkan
bahwa Amir adalah orang yang keras hati dan penyayang.
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Studi ini menyediakan saran untuk penelitian lebih lanjut yang membahas
novel The Kite Runner. Para peneliti dapat menganalisis pengaruh karakterkarakter lain dalam perkembangan kepribadian Amir. Studi ini juga menyediakan
saran untuk para guru bahasa Inggris dalam mengajar skill membaca dengan
menggunakan novel The Kite Runner sebagai materi ajar.
Kata Kunci: Character, Pashtunwali, The Kite Runner
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Almighty God,
Jesus Christ, for His blessing and guidance since the years especially in the
process of finishing my thesis. I also thank Mother Mary and all the saints who
always send my prayer to Him.
My deep gratitude goes to my advisor, Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum.,
who never stops encouraging me to finish my thesis. I thank her for reading my
thesis, correcting, and giving me ideas and suggestions. Without her patience and
kindness in advising me, I absolutely cannot complete this thesis.
My greatest gratitude is also dedicated to my beloved parents, Ignatius
Handoko and Theresia Hermin Widayati, for their unlimited love, trust, prayer,
and support. For my beloved big brother, Fx. Risang Baskara, who is always
there when I need his help.
I would like to thank all of the lecturers in English Education Study
Program for their lecture and for sharing their knowledge. Sincere thanks also go
to Sr. Margaret O’ Donohue FCJ, for her patience in helping to correct and
proofread my thesis. I would also like to show my proper appreciation to all of
the secretarial, library staff, and all employees in Sanata Dharma University
for helping me during my study.
My special thanks go to my friends in PBI 2008, especially Yuanita, Sr.
Klarina, Arinto, Dimas, Nala, Clara, Kristin, Wanda, Jastia, Mari, Elista,
Anggi, Pauline, Andrew, Brian and all of my best friends from other faculties
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
in Sanata Dharma University, especially from UKM Sepak Bola that I cannot
mention one by one. I thank them for being my friends and I would never forget
our friendship.
Lastly, I earnestly would like to thank all of the great people whom I
cannot mention one by one. I thank them for helping and supporting me in
finishing my thesis. May Jesus always bless them.
Gilang Adi Prasasti
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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 .................................................................
x
TABLE OF CONTENTS .....................................................................
xii
LIST OF APPENDICES......................................................................
xv
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION .........................................................
1
A. Background of the Study ...................................................................
1
B. Problem Formulation.........................................................................
4
C. Objective of the Study .......................................................................
4
D. Benefits of the Study .........................................................................
4
E. Definition of Terms ...........................................................................
5
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ..................
6
A. Review of Related Study ...................................................................
6
B. Review of Related Theories...............................................................
7
1. Sociocultural-historical approach ..................................................
8
2. Character and Characterization .....................................................
9
3. The Pashtun’s Tribal Law: Pashtunwali ........................................
11
a. Badal (Returning other’s works, deeds, and favors) ..................
12
b. Melmastia (hospitality).............................................................
13
c. Nanawati (sanctuary) ...............................................................
14
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
d. Ghayrat (personal honor) .........................................................
15
e. Namus (defense of the honor of woman) ..................................
16
f. Jirga (council)..........................................................................
17
C. Theoretical Framework .....................................................................
17
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY .....................................................
19
A. Object of the Study............................................................................
19
B. Approach of the Study .......................................................................
20
C. Method of the Study ..........................................................................
21
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ..................................................................
22
A. Amir’s Characteristics .......................................................................
22
1. Considerate ...................................................................................
23
2. Generous ......................................................................................
26
3. Responsible ..................................................................................
27
4. Caring...........................................................................................
29
a. Caring for his father, Baba .......................................................
29
b. Caring for his wife, Soraya .......................................................
31
c. Caring for his nephew, Sohrab .................................................
32
5. Persistent ......................................................................................
34
6. Concerned ....................................................................................
35
7. Having Good Achievements in Education and Career ..................
36
B. Pashtunwali as Shown by Amir’s Characteristics...............................
37
1. Badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors)........................
38
2. Melmastia (hospitality) .................................................................
41
3. Nanawati (sanctuary) ....................................................................
43
4. Ghayrat (personal Honor) .............................................................
45
5. Namus (defense of the honor of woman) .......................................
46
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .....................
49
A. Conclusions.......................................................................................
49
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B. Suggestions .......................................................................................
52
1. Suggestion for Future Researchers ................................................
53
2. Suggestion for English Teachers ...................................................
53
3. The implementation of Teaching X Grade Students of Senior
High School Using The Kite Runner .............................................
55
REFERENCES ....................................................................................
56
APPENDICES .....................................................................................
58
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
LIST OF APPENDICES
Page
Appendix A: Summary of The Kite Runner ………………………….
59
Appendix B: Khaled Hosseini’s Biography ………………………….
63
Appendix C: Lesson Plan …………………………………………….
67
Appendix D: Students’ Handout ……………………………………..
75
Appendix E: Exercise Activity ……………………………………….
77
Appendix F: Students’ Answer Sheet ………………………………..
79
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of five sections. They are background of the study,
problem formulation, objectives of the study, benefits of the study, and definition
of terms. Background of the study gives the explanation about the topic of this
study. Objectives of the study states the purpose of conducting this study and it is
in the form of list of questions. Problem formulation consists of two questions,
which explain the problems that are analyzed in the study. Benefits of the study
give explanation of who will get the benefits of the study. The last section,
definition of terms, gives the explanation of some important terms used in this
study.
A. Background of the Study
Literary works basically become the reflection of human’s real life. It can
be in the form of novels, poems, poetry, plays, etc. Novel is chosen in this study
because it is considered as one kind of literary work that clearly reflects the
condition of human’s real life. As stated by Langland (1984), the condition in the
real world can be applied in the form of art (pp. 5-6).
The condition of existing society in the world can be one of the
backgrounds of the writing of a literary work. From the literary work, the readers
can learn the knowledge of the characteristics of a society. For example, the
readers know the culture and the norms that exist within that society. Furthermore,
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PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2
Little (1963) states that literature contains “the record of value, thoughts,
problems and conflicts that are transmitted by both written and spoken words as
the tool to pass the experience from one generation to the next” (p. 1).
An individual plays an important part within the society. In 2000, Seale,
Filmer, Jenks, and Walsh restate Webber’s idea about the existence of a society.
Society will exist when individual interacts with each other, and during the
interaction they share the same way of thinking (p. 287).
There are some reasons why The Kite Runner is chosen for this study. This
novel is Khaled Hosseini’s first novel and later becomes a best seller novel which
wins several prizes, such as the South African Book prize in 2004. Second reason
is that this novel raises the issue of the Afghan’s life. Up to now, there are very
limited literary works discussing Afghan’s life, especially its culture since the
country is trapped in the erratic condition as the result of war. It is very interesting
to know how the Afghans actually behave in their daily life and also to know what
factor that influences their behavior within the society.
The literary work which is used in this study is a novel entitled The Kite
Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The story tells about the life of a Pashtun named
Amir and his effort in fixing his past life where he considers himself committing a
sin in betraying his close friend, Hassan. Hassan is a very loyal person, especially
to Amir. Both Amir and Hassan are the same age, and they share several
similarities as kids. The only thing that differentiates them is the fact that they
come from different tribe. Amir is a Pashtun, while Hassan is a Hazara. The
Pashtun is the biggest tribe in Afghanistan, while the Hazara only becomes the
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
minor tribe there. That fact becomes a trigger for Amir’s personal problem with
Hassan. The problem happens when Amir witnesses Hassan being raped by Assef
and his friends. Since that incident, the relationship between Amir and Hassan is
getting worst.
After reading the novel, the writer gets the point that Khaled Hosseini
actually wants to share the real conditions of Afghanistan in his novel. Hosseini
gives clear description of the society, the culture, and the condition before and
after war in Afghanistan. Those descriptions are told by using Amir’s point of
view. Since Amir is a Pashtun, the social condition and the culture that are exists
in Pashtun society is mostly exposed. From the novel, the writer can know the
social condition in Afghanistan where the Hazaras have never had an equal
position with the Pashtuns within the society. The writer also can know the
cultures existing in Afghanistan. One of it is the kite tournament which is held
once a year by the Pashtuns. The writer gets the insight that the war changes the
life of the Afghans. Those who are surviving from the war are the wealthy person
who moves to the foreign country.
The topic of this study is how Amir’s characteristics reflect the concept of
Pashtunwali. Pahtunwali is the tribal law of the Pashtun. This study tries to
explore the topic because Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is told using Amir’s point
of view. The most important thing is the condition where Amir narrates the story
through a time-development events. After conducting this study, the writer
expects to know whether Amir’s characteristics are actually the reflection of the
concept of Pashtunwali or not.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
B. Problem Formulation
This study is conducted to answer the following questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Amir as revealed in Hosseini’s The Kite
Runner?
2. How do the characteristics of Amir reflect the concept of Pashtunwali?
C. Objectives of the Study
The objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics of Amir as the
main character in Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. This study concerns on analyzing
the personal characteristics of Amir. After analyzing Amir’s characteristics, this
study explores those characteristics which become the reflection of the concept of
Pashtunwali.
D. Benefits of the Study
Generally, the aims of this study are to enrich the knowledge of literary
study and to give more references about the culture existing in middle-east
countries, especially in Afghanistan. Since there are only limited access on
Afghan’s literature, the writer hopes that this study can provide deeper
information of the Afghanistan’s culture. Moreover, the writer expects that this
study can inspire future research of The Kite Runner. The future research can
analyze other aspects from this novel, such as the analysis of characters that is
viewed from psychological approach.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
5
E. Definition of Terms
There are two terms which should be defined further within this study. The
first term is Pashtunwali. Kakar (2003) states that Pashtunwali is a tribal law
existing in Pashtun society in Afghanistan (p. 3). Meanwhile, Barfield (2003)
categorizes Pashtunwali into six major concepts. They are badal (returning other’s
works, deeds, and favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat
(personal honor), namus (defense of the honor of woman), and jirga (council). In
this study, Pashtunwali refers to the tribal law existing in the society where Amir
lives. It takes place in Afghanistan (Amir’s childhood) and in United Stated
(Amir’s older life). Since this study concerns on the codes of Pashtunwali that are
shown by the characteristics of an individual, jirga is not discussed.
The second term described in this study is character. A character can be
analyzed by the action, the way he/she talks in the dialogue, the thought, and the
opinion from the others characters. Gill (1995) defines the character as “someone
in literary work who has some sort of identity, it needn’t be a strong one, an
identity which is made up by appearance, conversation, action, name and
(possibly) thoughts going on in the head” (p. 124). Character in this study refers to
Amir, who becomes the major character in the novel. He is a Pashtun who lives
with his rich father. Since the story is told in a time-development frame, Amir
develops both his physical appearance and characteristics.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter consists of two sections. The first section is review of related
study, which deals with the previous study that is related with the object and the
topic of this study. The second section is review of related theories that explains
some theories which are related to this study. Review of related theories gives
explanation of the theories of critical approaches, theory of literature such as
theory of character and characterization, and also the review of Afghan’s
customary law called Pashtunwali. Theoretical framework becomes the last part in
this chapter. It gives a brief summary about the theories which are used in this
study.
A. Review of Related Study
The analysis on Pashtun’s tribal law, Pashtunwali, in Khaled Hosseini’s
The Kite Runner has been done before by one of the alumni of Sanata Dharma
University named Fransisca Ika Destia Putranti. She writes a thesis titled An
Analysis of Pashtun Tribal Codes (Pashtunwali) as Seen in Khaled Hosseini’s The
Kite Runner. The reasons why Putranti writes her thesis are because she can learn
one of the Afghan’s culture called kite championship and she thinks that the novel
becomes the reflection of frightening condition during Taliban regime (2012, pp.
3-4).
6
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
7
In her thesis, Putranti finds that the codes of Pashtunwali existing in the
novel are chivalry (ghayrat and nang), hospitality (melmastya), and proper
defense of honor (purdah and namus). Later on, she puts that analysis based on
three different Afghanistan’s sociopolitical condition. They are the last days of
monarchy of Zahir Shah and the regime that overthrew him, political asylum
during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and the Taliban Afghanistan regime.
This study can be said as the further research of Putranti’s study. There
are two points that differentiate this study with Putranti’s study. First, the writer
gives broader information of the codes of Pahtunwali that has not been discussed
by Putranti; badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors) and nanawati
(sanctuary). Second, this study concerns on the codes of Pashtunwali as done by
Amir, the major character in the novel. The writer sees that since Putranti
concerns her analysis on the whole part of the novel, the analysis of Pashtunwali
as done by individual character has not been explored well. Therefore, the writer
conducts this study as the further analysis on the topic that Putranti has discussed
before.
B. Review of Related Theories
This section consists of two main theories which are used in this study.
Theory of critical approach becomes the first theory. It will help the writer to
analyze the literary work. Critical approach which is used is socioculturalhistorical approach since this study concerns on exploring the Pashtun’s tribal
law, Pashtunwali, as shown by Amir’s characteristics. The second theories are
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
8
theories of character and characterization. These theories are used to explore all of
the information about major character in this study. Besides, this study also uses
the review of Pashtunwali to find out what Pashtunwali is.
1. Sociocultural-Historical Approach
Rohrberger and Woods (1971) propose five approaches that can be used in
revealing the meaning of a story. Those five approaches are formalist approach,
biographical approach, sociocultural-historical approach, mythopoeic approach
and psychological approach. This study concerns on analyzing the existing tribal
law that are shown in the novel called Pashtunwali. Therefore, socioculturalhistorical approach is used. Rohrberger and Woods define the socioculturalhistorical approach as follows.
The sociocultural-historical approach insists that the only way to locate the
real work is in reference to the civilization that produced it. They define
civilization as the attitudes and actions of a specific group of people and
point out that literature takes place attitudes and actions as subject matter.
(p. 9)
Rohrberger and Woods also say that not all of the aspects in socioculturalhistorical approach have a moral interest to be raised (p. 10). However, it can still
lead to an ethical view of what the author wants to imply in his work. The
example of it is ”the humanists who see a literary works as a criticism of life that
affects men in their society” (p. 10).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
2. Character and Characterization
Kennedy and Gioia (1999) give a clear definition of what character is.
Character is “presumably an imaged person who inhabits a story” (p. 60). This
statement emphasizes that character may not only be a human (e.g. animals), but
this character actually represents human characteristics that are familiar to the
reader.
Forster, as stated by Gill (1995), defines two terms in discussing the types
of characters; flat character and round character (p. 130). Thomas and Johnson
(2006) state that flat characters “usually have only one or two predominant traits;
they can be summed up in a sentence or two” (p. 64). They tend to stay the same
throughout a story. Therefore, it is easy to define flat characters. The next type of
character is round characters. Round characters are “complex and many-sided;
they are the three-dimensional quality of real people” (Thomas & Johnson, 2006,
p. 64). Since round characters have more than two predominant traits, it is
difficult to define them.
According to Murphy (1972), there are nine ways on how the characters
are presented by the author (pp. 161-173). Those nine ways can be explained as
follows.
a. Personal Description
The author can describe the character in the novel by his/ her appearance and what
he or she wears.
b. Character as Seen by Others
The author can use the opinions of other characters to describe a character.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
10
c. Speech
The author can describe a character through the character’s speech. The readers
can conclude the personality traits of the character when he or she speaks, when
he or she gets involved in a conversation with others, and when he or she states
his or her opinion.
d. Past Life
The readers are able to know the characteristics of a character by learning his or
her past life. What was done in a character’s past life will give a great contribution
in shaping his or her characteristics.
e. Conversation of Others
The author can describe the characteristics of a character through the conversation
of others characters. What they say about the character will become the clues in
revealing that character’s characteristics.
f. Reactions
The readers can know the characteristics of a character by looking at that
character’s reactions in various situations and events.
g. Direct Comment
The author can explore the characteristics of the character explicitly by describing
or giving comment on that character.
h. Thought
The author can describe the characteristics of a character through what that
character has in mind.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
11
i. Mannerisms
Through the character’s mannerisms and habits, the author can depict the real
characteristics of that character.
3. Pashtun’s Tribal Law: Pashtunwali
Pashtunwali means “doing Pashtu” or “being Pashtu”. Pashtunwali is
defined as “the most comprehensive and elaborate of the customary law systems
in Afghanistan” (Landinfo, 2012, p. 6). It becomes the life guidance for the
Pashtuns which covers social order, rights and obligations, morals and code of
honors. Barfield (2003) adds that Pashtunwali becomes “a code of conduct that
stresses personal autonomy and equality of political rights in a world of equal” (p.
5).
Knowing the socio-economic organizational setting of the Pashtuns is a
way in understanding the Pashtunwali deeper. There are two types of socioeconomic organization; the qalang (tax) group and the nang (chivalrous) group.
The qalang can be defined as the urban and landowning Pashtuns, while the nang
is the pastoral, nomadic and hill Pashtuns. Kakar (2003) states that the distinction
of this socio-economic organization is very helpful in identifying the differences
of the conceptual framework of Pashtunwali (p. 3). Barfield (2003) gives further
explanation about what Pashtunwali is in accordance with the basic principle of
personal condition within the society.
This 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,
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
12
including the acquisition of money or property. It is a code that is
practically impossible to fulfill in a class structured society or in areas
where governments prohibit such institutions as blood feuds. (p. 5)
Pashtunwali is formed as the part of oral tradition of the Pashtuns which
contains a number of variations. Later on, Barfield (2003) categorizes these
variations into six major codes. They are badal (returning other’s works, deeds,
and favors), melmastia (hospitality), nanawati (sanctuary), ghayrat (personal
honor), namus (defense of the honor of woman), and jirga (council). From those
codes, only jirga that is not related with individual autonomy, because it directly
deals with the role of council within the society.
a. Badal (returning other’s works, deeds, and favors)
Sultan (2006) states that badal is “one of the greatest, if not the greatest of
all, commandments of Pukhtu” (p. 2). He says that there are two major meanings
of badal. First, badal in positive meaning, is the action “for assisting others for
their assistance in any work or any way; to return someone else work(s), deed(s),
and favors” (p. 2). Second, badal in negative meaning, is badal as the revenge.
Barfield (2003) states that badal as the revenge becomes unwritten manual for an
individual to seek personal justice for something bad happened to him or his
group (p. 5). It covers the revenges of murder, beating, injury, raping, and damage
to honor.
The execution of badal as the revenge is complex. It can directly be done
by the person who has been the victim. The other way is that badal is done by
others. Sultan (2006) says that “badal is to be taken not only by the person who
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
13
had received damages, in any shape, but also by other member of his family
members and even sometime sub-tribe or tribe” (p. 2).
Badal brings both negative and positive effects within the society. The
negative effect of it is that badal as the revenge will cause a never ending
bloodshed which involves innocent person. It can be an excuse for the people to
do violence to others. On the other hand, badal also brings positive effect. Sultan
(2006) states that “having that firm concept which exists within the society will
help people in maintaining peace, order and respect of human life” (p. 3). In the
other words, people will get the positive effect from badal when they stop to take
revenge of what has happened to them.
b. Melmastia (hospitality)
As stated by Barfield (2003), melmastia becomes the guidance of rights
and obligations conducted by both hosts and guests (p. 7). For the hosts, it
demands that the guests should be welcomed without question and be given the
best of whatever they have in their house. The guests not only get the food and
shelter, but also the protection as well from the host. In poorer village, the men’s
house or mosque can be used to receive guests. The responsibilities to take care
the guests are shared among the households in that village.
Sultan (2006) states there are two kinds of guests (p. 3). The first is the
guests who have the responsibility to return or reciprocate the melmastia. These
guests are well-known by the host and are established in his life. The second is the
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
14
guests who are not likely to return or reciprocate the melmastia. Usually, these
guests are not known and are poor wayfarers, called by khudayi melmanah.
Barfield (2003) adds that there are two social issues raised within
melmastia (p. 7). First, this concept will allow the poor traveler with less money
and stocks to do a safe travel. Second, it will solve the problem of how to ensure
one’s security in the case of travelling in unknown places.
Kakar (2003) also adds that “a pashtun’s honor is sustained by hospitality
in that it increases the number of social networks he or she has access to” (p. 3).
The larger the social network, the more legislative authority a Pashtun will have.
In men’s social network, hospitality has more institutionalized among the qalang
Pashtuns. Qalang Pashtuns are the urban and landowning Pashtuns.
c. Nanawati (sanctuary)
According to Barfield (2003), nanawati is “a right to seek protection,
request pardon or demand help from more powerful person or kin group by a
weaker one” (p. 7). This concept is usually done by the Pashtun who leaves his
own community to look for permanent protection. Nanawati is seen as a way to
avoid the bloodshed caused the implementation of badal. People who want to
avoid badal as the revenge usually choose nanawati as a way out. Nanawati is
chosen because considering conciliation as the more effective way than the
bloodshed. In addition, Sultan (2006) explains that there are five steps in asking
nanawati (p. 10). They are by meeting the person whom asked for his or her
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
15
pardon, admitting the guilt, expressing the shame and unlikeness for, throwing
himself or the guilty one on the mercy of the enemy, and seeking pardon.
There are some problems during the process of doing nanawati. Not every
nanawati is successfully done. Both the guilty person and the victim may cause
the failure of it. Barfield (2003) explains that this concept is done only for
extreme cases, because it is needed the guilty person’s declaration of his weakness
and powerless autonomy (p. 8). Not the entire guilty people want to do that,
especially when they come from qalang Pashtuns. The victim also does not
always give the pardon for the guilty person. It is influenced by the assumption
that giving pardon for the guilty person will make him look weak. When nanawati
cannot be settled by the guilty person and the victim, later the victim will ask for
badal as the revenge.
d. Ghayrat (personal honor)
According to Kakar (2003), ghayrat is defined by two sets of normative
practices; they are actions in battle and proper defense in honor (pp. 3-4). Norms
in battle include rules about who may be attacked, for example, not civilians or
the proper distribution of war spoils. Honor is given to those who show fighting
skills. This concept is proper for male Pashtuns, since it is not usual for woman to
engage in combat. However, the female Pashtuns still can show their role by
supporting the male fighters by displaying their head shawl (poranai) to spur on
the fight.
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Barfield (2003) states that there are several ways for the Pashtuns to
achieve personal honor besides directly joining into the physical acts. It can be
achieved by doing other positive acts such as generosity, outstanding public
speaking, success in building political alliances, or winning disputes add to a
reputation (p. 8). The other important way is by defending a reputation against
insult or attack. It includes the protection one’s property, the response of personal
attacks such as insults and disrespects, and the willingness to sacrifice wealth or
even life to preserve one’s reputation.
e. Namus (defense of the honor of woman)
Barfield (2003) says that woman’s weaker role within the society is
sometimes harnessed by man in doing bad things to them (p. 8). The existence of
namus gives woman a guarantee for expressing themselves within the society.
Any attacks or misbehaviors on woman means attacks or misbehaviors on a man’s
honor (male relatives). Man’s job is to protect woman from that things. When
they fail to do that, it means that the man is not worthy to receive respect
(Landinfo, 2012, p. 7).
In the same time, namus also gives the limitation of rights and obligations
that should be done by woman. The behavior of a woman influences the whole
group or family status, especially for the male relatives (father, husband, brother).
For example, it is prohibited for woman to have improper sexual activity. When
the male relatives of the woman know it, they have the right to punish the woman
in order to keep their family status.
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f. Jirga (council)
According to Kakar (2003), jirga becomes the legislative authority in
Pashtunwali (p. 6). The council itself is organized by the Pashtun in village and
regional levels. Jirga decides everything by doing consensus and the decision
must be respected by the entire member within the society. The Pashtuns who sit
in the council should be the honorable persons, which means that they have
practiced Pashtunwali well. Usually, the members of the council are wealthy and
well-known person. The council itself is dominated by men, although women also
have the right to be involved there.
Jirga can be done in either a private place or in a public place, such as
mosque (Landinfo, 2012, p. 12). The smallest part of it is called maraka. The
number of members in a jirga depends on the case which is discussed. For
example, when it discusses the conflict occurring within a family, the jirga
members will be a few people that the family trusts. When the conflict cannot be
done within the maraka, it will be discussed in a broader jirga called tukhum (p.
12). The decisions made by the tukhum to solve the conflict are final and cannot
be appealed.
C. Theoretical Framework
This study focuses on the Pashtun’s tribal law called pashtunwali as shown
by Amir’s characteristics. Therefore, this study uses sociocultural-historical
approach as the best approach since this approach focuses on the civilization and
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18
cultural background. The civilization and cultural background which is shown in
the novel is the Pashtun society and its tribal law called Pashtunwali.
This study formulates two problems to be answered. According to the first
problem formulation, the writer tries to find out the characteristics of the major
character named Amir as portrayed in the novel. These characteristics of the major
character are discovered by using theory of character and characterization. By
using Murphy’s theory on characterization, this study focuses on getting the
information of the major character that can be found in the novel through
character’s thought, character’s reaction, character’s speech, and mannerism.
Based on the second problem formulation, the writer tries to find out how
the characteristics of the major character actually become the reflection of the
concept of Pashtunwali. The review of Pashtun’s tribal law, Pashtunwali, is used
to explore what Pashtunwali is. Then, this study tries to reveal whether the
concept of the Pashtunwali is actually reflected by Amir’s characteristics or not.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of three sections. They are object of the study,
approach of the study, and method of the study. The first is object of the study. It
deals with the subject of the study. The second is approach of the study which
concerns on the literature approaches. The last is method of the study. It deals
with the sources that are used in analyzing the study. Method of the study also
deals with the steps and the process done in the study.
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study is a novel entitled The Kite Runner. It was the first
novel written by Khaled Hosseini. It was first published by Bloomsbury Publisher
in 2003. The Kite Runner consists of 340 pages which are divided into 25
chapters. The first chapter of this novel is the introduction. Overall, the story in
this novel is told using the major character’s first point of view. The name of the
major character in this novel is Amir. However, there is a chapter which is told
using first point of view of the other character named Rahim Khan.
The Kite Runner tells about the life of a Pashtun named Amir. Amir has a
close friend named Hassan who is the son of Amir’s family servant, Baba. Both
Amir and Hassan share the same hobby which is playing kite. Amir is known as a
good kite controller, while Hassan as his partner becomes the kite runner. Once,
they win a prestigious kite tournament which is held in the city. The winning
19
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20
brings happiness and pride to them. However, an incident happens not long after
Amir and Hassan win the kite tournament. Later on, it becomes the starting point
of the destruction of Amir and Hassan’s friendship. The story goes on until Amir
and Hassan separate from each other. Amir moves to United States with his
father, Baba. Meanwhile, Hassan follows his father, who soon stops working as
Amir’s family servant, and come back to their hometown.
Amir feels that he has committed a sin when he breaks his friendship with
Hassan. It is the sin that becomes a nightmare in Amir’s older life, although it has
happened long time ago. The chance to fix his sin comes when Baba’s friend,
Rahim Khan, tells surprising news to Amir. Actually, Hassan is Amir’s younger
step-brother. However, he has passed away. Rahim Khan tells Amir that Hassan
has a son named Sohrab, and the only way to fix Amir’s sin is by saving Sohrab
who is trapped in erratic situation in Afghanistan.
B. Approach of the Study
The focus of this study is the concept of Pashtunwali as shown by Amir as
the major character in The Kite Runner. The major character of the novel, named
Amir, is a person who lives in Pasthun society. As the member of the society, his
behavior more or less is influenced by the society.
In order to find the concept of Pashtunwali as shown in Amir’s
characteristics, the writer applies sociocultural-historical approach. This approach
is used in order to analyze the society and the culture that become the background
of the story. Socio-cultural approach becomes the way to locate the real work is in
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21
reference to the civilization that produces it. In other words, it can be said that a
literary work is influenced by the social background of the society. The social
condition, in this case is how the Pashtuns behave in their daily life, can
contribute a great support to the analysis on the concept of Pashtunwali as shown
in Amir’s characteristics.
C. Method of the Study
This study is a library research. It includes the analysis on books, journals,
and articles as the sources of the study. There are some steps in conducting this
study. The first step is choosing the novel which would be the object of the study.
Here, the writer chose Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The second step is
reading the novel. The writer read the entire novel to know how the story went
from the beginning until the end. During the reading, the writer found some
important findings that were interesting to be discussed.
The third step is collecting the findings and formulating it as the problems
to be analyzed in the study. The writer formulated two problem questions in this
study. The fourth step are finding, collecting, and reading the secondary sources
of the study. The writer decided to look for the theories and some reviews related
to the study from some sources such as books, journals, and articles. The writer
did the analysis right after getting the appropriate theories and some reviews
related to the problem formulations of the study. After getting the analysis, the
writer tried to compare them. Finally, as the last step, the writer made a
conclusion for this study.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
This study concerns on Amir, the major character of the novel, and the
concept of Pashtunwali as shown by his characteristics. The discussion will be
divided into two sections based on the problem formulations in the previous
chapter. First section is the discussion of Amir’s characteristics. Next, the second
section on this chapter will discuss the concept of Pashtunwali as shown by
Amir’s ch