The Representation of Women in The Kite Runner: Exploring the Roles and Challenges of Female Characters in a Patriarchal Society

In The Kite Runner, female characters, although not as central as the male protagonists, play an important role in reflecting the challenges and limitations imposed on women in Afghan society. Characters like Soraya, Amir’s wife, and Sanaubar, Hassan’s mother, are shaped by the patriarchal structures they live within.

Soraya’s character is portrayed as strong and independent, but she faces societal judgment because of her past. Her relationship with Amir is one of mutual respect, but her struggle with societal expectations as a woman is evident. Similarly, Sanaubar’s actions, particularly her abandonment of Hassan, reflect the limited agency women have within the cultural and societal confines of Afghanistan.

Hosseini uses these female characters to critique the gender roles in Afghan society, showing how women, while central to family and emotional life, are often marginalized and subject to harsh judgment