Examining Pragmatism In Nigeria Through The Lens Of The Kite Runner

Axel S�rensen

4 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

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Parallel Lives: Comparing Afghan and Nigerian Experiences of Pragmatism

Both Afghanistan, the setting of The Kite Runner, and Nigeria share a history marked by conflict, poverty, and political instability. These shared experiences foster environments where pragmatic choices become not just strategic but essential for survival. In The Kite Runner, we witness characters making difficult decisions based on immediate needs and perceived realities. This mirrors the daily realities of many Nigerians.

• Examples from The Kite Runner: Amir's silence in the face of Hassan's assault is a stark example of pragmatism driven by fear and self-preservation. Baba's choices, often rooted in a patriarchal and deeply flawed sense of honor, also demonstrate a pragmatic approach to navigating a harsh world, albeit at a significant ethical cost.

• Analogous Situations in Nigeria: Navigating the complexities of corruption in Nigeria often necessitates pragmatic, albeit morally ambiguous, choices. For example, paying a bribe to secure essential services, while ethically questionable, might be seen as a pragmatic strategy for survival by many. Similarly, the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians forces them into pragmatic decisions related to employment, education, and resource allocation.

• Cultural Context: While the cultural contexts of Afghanistan and Nigeria differ significantly, the underlying human need for survival and the resulting pragmatic choices resonate across both societies. Understanding these cultural nuances enhances our appreciation of the diverse ways pragmatism manifests itself in response to shared adversities.

The Cost of Pragmatism: Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Compromises

The Kite Runner powerfully portrays the moral ambiguities inherent in pragmatic choices. The consequences of these choices, both for individuals and society, are explored with unflinching honesty. This resonates deeply with the Nigerian experience.

• Ethical Compromises in The Kite Runner: Amir's betrayal of Hassan carries devastating consequences that shape his life for decades. This highlights the long-term cost of making pragmatic choices that compromise ethical principles.

• Parallel Situations in Nigeria: Bribery and nepotism, prevalent in Nigerian society, represent pragmatic choices that often compromise ethical standards. While such actions might secure short-term gains, they contribute to systemic corruption and undermine societal trust. The pressure to conform to such practices creates immense ethical dilemmas for individuals.

• Tension Between Survival and Ethics: The central conflict in The Kite Runner, and indeed in many Nigerian narratives, lies in the tension between the urgent need for survival and the desire to uphold ethical principles. This internal struggle is a defining characteristic of pragmatic decision-making in challenging contexts. Keywords: moral ambiguity, ethical compromises, Nigerian ethics, consequences of pragmatism.

Redemption and Resilience: Overcoming Pragmatic Challenges

Despite the hardships and moral compromises explored in The Kite Runner, the novel ultimately offers a message of redemption and resilience. This theme is profoundly relevant to understanding the enduring spirit of the Nigerian people.

• Redemption in The Kite Runner: Amir's eventual journey of atonement and redemption demonstrates that even after making deeply flawed pragmatic choices, there is the possibility of repairing past wrongs and finding meaning in life.

• Resilience in Nigerian Society: The resilience of Nigerians in the face of adversity is remarkable. Despite pervasive challenges, they consistently demonstrate a capacity to overcome hardship and build a better future for themselves and their communities.

• Hope and Perseverance: The themes of hope and perseverance, central to both The Kite Runner and the Nigerian experience, highlight the human spirit's capacity to navigate even the most challenging circumstances. This unwavering hope provides the foundation for navigating the complexities of Pragmatism in Nigeria. Keywords: redemption, resilience, overcoming adversity, Nigerian resilience.

Reflecting on Pragmatism in Nigeria Through the Lens of The Kite Runner

In conclusion, examining Pragmatism in Nigeria through the lens of The Kite Runner reveals striking parallels between the fictional world of Afghanistan and the realities of Nigeria. Both settings highlight the complex interplay between survival strategies, ethical dilemmas, and the enduring human capacity for redemption and resilience. Understanding these pragmatic approaches is crucial to comprehending the intricacies of Nigerian society and its ongoing journey toward progress. We encourage further exploration of this intersection between literature, socio-political realities, and pragmatic decision-making in Nigeria. Further research into Nigerian pragmatism, comparative studies on ethical frameworks within diverse cultural contexts, and analyses of The Kite Runner in relation to other African literary works are avenues worthy of exploration. We invite you to share your own perspectives and insights on this compelling topic – how does the concept of Nigerian pragmatism resonate with your own experiences and observations?