Illusive Decency

The remaining houses of the once vibrant Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood now stooped to the powers that ruled from within them. Young boys were forced into becoming men and the dignified men into followers. Yet, through it all, there were some who saw every ounce of the strife for what it was and not what it was made out to be. Those who understood would have agreed, “War doesn’t negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.” (Hosseini 115)

I don’t think I could have prepared myself for the mental turbulence that The Kite Runner generated. I began reading this novel with the ignorant idea that I knew what had happened and what was happening with the turmoil in Afghanistan. It wasn’t until after I had made quite a bit of progress that I realized that what was being discussed bore no resemblance to what I had previously heard or understood. In some ways it was an enlightening process. The more I read the more I was able to piece together Afghanistan’s past. The history lesson in this story is remarkable. Author Khaled Hosseini does a great service to his country to bring attention to its situation. But more importantly is the manner in which he chooses to do so. By far the most jarring character is Baba, the knowledgeable, strong, and individualistic father of Amir, and later Hassan.

The words of Baba force me to rethink every thought and prior action made throughout the book. They were moving, they were striking, but above all they are correct. I found his views on war, peace, and decency to be just that. When I reconsider, war, in fact, does not “negate decency.” Some might argue that the act of killing would automatically invalidate such a claim; however, when I think deeper about the purpose of war, I better understand this quote. The war in Afghanistan may seek to redistribute power, however, it also seeks to improve lives. To one group, an idea of opposition may seem unjustly forced but to the other side such idea must hold valued significance in the benefit of one or both groups. In such a light, war becomes less a battle to the death but more a struggle for development, requiring the cooperation and decency of both parties. Baba uses his prickling words as a response to a Russian soldier demanding a price for passage into Pakistan. Although his risk may have seemed unwise at the time, his decency to explain his reasoning again proves his argument.

Torn by the decency of men, Afghanistan and its people have found themselves smothered by some of the strongest radical forces including the Taliban, Mujahideen, and Soviets. Plagued by such uncontrollable authority, Baba’s words quell the fears of Amir, Hassan, and their society. In times of peace, the demand of civility is strong; however, in times of war that demand increases ten fold. “War doesn’t negate decency.” War should be viewed as a struggle for the future, a future that finds peace at the heart of all conflict. Where “hope is merely currency” and “death is not the last unknown.” (Teng)