Society Exposed In The Kite Runner By David Storm

Children's consciences are highly influenced by adults in their life. Children find it difficult to escape the ideas imposed upon them as they grow up since their perspective and behavior are affected by what their parents and the wider society believe. This cycle is capable of being broken as one experiences more in life. Living in the small society of Waknuk where Prejudice and the perceived thought of the true image of God govern their civilization. Many children grow into prejudice because of the fictitious beliefs passed down through generations, while others become open-minded in an attempt to break the cycle of oppression. David Storm has a very vigilant upbringing and through exposure to the outside world, he is able to develop his

When David explores the environment outside his household he meets Sophie. Sophie grows up very different from David as she and her parents are aware of her physical mutation. David starts to comprehend the injustices that deviants endure when he becomes friends with Sophie. He realizes that deviants are not the "terrifying creatures" that society has made them out to be and that they are actually quite similar to the Waknukians. He also notices the major differences and flaws in his parent's ideology. After seeing Sophie for the first time, David starts to doubt his preconceived notions about what it means to be a man. David believes that “there must be a mistake somewhere” (14), as he is not able to comprehend how two extra toes can make Sophie a blasphemy. David questions how someone as kind as Sophie is considered to be one of the ghastly monsters his father talks about. This instills the idea that his father's beliefs are intense and inaccurate. In another case, Well walking through Sophie's house David says “The house was a great deal smaller than my home, a cottage, in fact, but I liked it better. It felt friendly.”(11) In comparison to his house, which David describes as “ having groups of words hanging on the wall for people to point to in disapproval.”(11) David notices the large disparities between the

Uncle Axel plays a huge role in Davids's upbringing as he provides this for him. As David grows up Uncle Axel's observations of society are in conflict with those of Waknuk society, which has a significant impact on David's perspective throughout their conversations. When David first meets his uncle, he is wary of him because he is so different from everyone else. He promises to aid David and tells him to keep his mutation a secret. David has a sudden realization that his abilities are not accepted in society and everything he grew up learning shows prejudice towards him: “I want you to promise that you will never tell anyone what you have just told me.”(31) David is able to comprehend the dangers of oppression through Uncle Axel. This is the first time David is able to fathom that he is a mutant and his trust in Uncle Axel helps guide him to make the right decisions instead of conforming to society like most would: “his gravity impressed me greatly. I had never known him to speak with so much intensity. ” (31)Speaking with such passion David is willing to accept his Uncles contrasting views which help him escape the prejudice. Uncle Axel encourages David to question everything that he has been taught about God and he makes him think more critically about the things that are around him. This