Identity Theme in the Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Sharif
Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Shariff
By James Petherick
Essay Question: Analyse how an idea is developed in a text (or texts) you have studied In the text, The Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Shariff, written by Robert Hillman and Najaf Mazari, an idea which is developed is identity. We can see this idea developing through the character ,Najaf Mazari. He begins living in the worn torn country of Afghanistan, then he becomes a refugee at the Woomera Detention centre and finally his visa is accepted and he begins a new life in Melbourne. His identity is developed due to these circumstances and environments he finds himself in. We first see Najaf’s identity develop while he is living in Shar Shar and Mazar-E-Shariff, in Afghanistan. His identity is developed because of his surroundings and the circumstances he faces in this environment. The first development of Najaf’s identity is shaped by him living in Afghanistan, (a worn torn country and dominated by the conflict between the Taliban and the Communists). Both of these fighting forces are searching for men of Najaf’s age to join them in battle. We see quite clearly that Najaf does not want anything to do with these groups and the war, through him hiding away for days with the constant fear of being forced to fight. We learn that Najaf does not want to be apart of these groups because he does not believe that wars and fighting is the way to solve his countries’ problems. He states that "A gun has one purpose and that purpose will not build anything, but will only tear down what others have built." The circumstance of living in a worn torn country, develops Najaf’s identity, because this instals in him a peaceful and thoughtful attitude towards conflict. Another way Najaf’s identity is developed is due to the many unfortunate family deaths Najaf and his family have to face. In the text, Najaf loses his father and two of his elder brothers, Rosal and Gorg Ali. It is Afghanistan and Hazara culture that the eldest male is to have the
By James Petherick
Essay Question: Analyse how an idea is developed in a text (or texts) you have studied In the text, The Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Shariff, written by Robert Hillman and Najaf Mazari, an idea which is developed is identity. We can see this idea developing through the character ,Najaf Mazari. He begins living in the worn torn country of Afghanistan, then he becomes a refugee at the Woomera Detention centre and finally his visa is accepted and he begins a new life in Melbourne. His identity is developed due to these circumstances and environments he finds himself in. We first see Najaf’s identity develop while he is living in Shar Shar and Mazar-E-Shariff, in Afghanistan. His identity is developed because of his surroundings and the circumstances he faces in this environment. The first development of Najaf’s identity is shaped by him living in Afghanistan, (a worn torn country and dominated by the conflict between the Taliban and the Communists). Both of these fighting forces are searching for men of Najaf’s age to join them in battle. We see quite clearly that Najaf does not want anything to do with these groups and the war, through him hiding away for days with the constant fear of being forced to fight. We learn that Najaf does not want to be apart of these groups because he does not believe that wars and fighting is the way to solve his countries’ problems. He states that "A gun has one purpose and that purpose will not build anything, but will only tear down what others have built." The circumstance of living in a worn torn country, develops Najaf’s identity, because this instals in him a peaceful and thoughtful attitude towards conflict. Another way Najaf’s identity is developed is due to the many unfortunate family deaths Najaf and his family have to face. In the text, Najaf loses his father and two of his elder brothers, Rosal and Gorg Ali. It is Afghanistan and Hazara culture that the eldest male is to have the