Understanding Nigerian Society: Pragmatism And The Kite Runner's Moral Conflicts

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 20, 2025

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Pragmatism in Nigerian Society: A Cultural Lens

Nigerian culture is deeply rooted in strong family and community ties, significantly influencing decision-making processes. This emphasis on collective well-being often overshadows individual morality, leading to choices that might be deemed pragmatic but morally ambiguous from an outsider's perspective.

Family and Community Ties

The extended family system in Nigeria plays a crucial role in shaping individual choices. Maintaining family reputation and honour frequently takes precedence over personal ethics.

• Prioritizing family reputation over personal ethics is often seen as a necessary sacrifice to maintain harmony and social standing.
• Decisions are often made collectively, considering the impact on the entire family unit rather than solely on the individual.
• Loyalty and obedience to elders are deeply ingrained cultural values, influencing individual choices and actions. This creates a powerful dynamic where individual moral agency can be constrained.

The Influence of Corruption and Systemic Issues

Corruption and systemic inequalities are pervasive realities in Nigeria, forcing many individuals to adopt pragmatic survival strategies. These strategies often blur the lines between right and wrong, pushing individuals into morally ambiguous situations.

• Navigating bureaucratic hurdles often necessitates informal payments and "managing" situations to achieve desired outcomes.
• The prevalence of "bending the rules" is sometimes seen as a necessary tactic for survival and advancement in a system characterized by inefficiency and corruption.
• This pragmatic approach to survival highlights the complex relationship between individual morality and the systemic challenges inherent in the socio-political landscape.

Traditional Values vs. Modernity

The rapid pace of modernization in Nigeria creates a significant tension between traditional values and contemporary societal expectations. This juxtaposition generates complex ethical dilemmas for individuals striving to balance tradition with the realities of a changing world.

• The clash between traditional beliefs and modern societal expectations creates internal conflicts, particularly for younger generations.
• Navigating religious and cultural norms in a rapidly changing world necessitates a constant process of adaptation and compromise.
• This dynamic environment fosters a pragmatic approach to morality, where individuals must navigate conflicting values to maintain a sense of equilibrium.

Moral Conflicts in The Kite Runner and Their Parallels to Nigerian Society

The Kite Runner presents a powerful narrative of moral conflict, mirroring many of the challenges individuals face in navigating Nigerian society. The characters' struggles reveal the profound impact of societal pressures and the enduring burden of guilt.

Amir's Choices and the Burden of Guilt

Amir's betrayal of Hassan is a central moral conflict in the novel, highlighting the devastating consequences of prioritizing personal gain over loyalty and friendship. His subsequent attempts at redemption reflect the complexities of confronting past mistakes and seeking forgiveness. This mirrors the pragmatic compromises individuals in Nigeria might make under pressure, recognizing the need for redemption and societal reconciliation.

• Amir's betrayal stems from a combination of fear, self-preservation, and societal pressures to conform.
• His journey towards redemption reveals the challenging path towards overcoming the consequences of past moral failures.
• His experience underscores the persistent weight of guilt and the constant need for reconciliation, particularly within the framework of complex societal expectations.

Baba's Legacy and the Weight of Reputation

Baba's actions, while often motivated by a desire to maintain reputation and social standing, are marked by moral ambiguity. His choices demonstrate the complex tension between personal morality and the preservation of public image – a theme that resonates strongly within Nigerian society.

• Baba's desire to maintain a flawless public image often overshadows his personal morality, leading to questionable choices.
• His legacy is tarnished by his actions, highlighting the short-sightedness of prioritizing reputation over ethical integrity.
• This mirrors the pressure in Nigerian society to maintain outward appearances, often at the expense of personal moral principles.

The Theme of Redemption and its Relevance to Nigerian Context

The overarching theme of redemption in The Kite Runner offers a potent message of hope, suggesting the possibility of overcoming past mistakes and fostering societal reform. This theme resonates deeply within the Nigerian context, where the potential for moral growth and societal change is crucial.

• The possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation, pivotal in The Kite Runner, offers a roadmap for addressing past injustices and building a more equitable future in Nigeria.
• The journey towards redemption requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths – a process relevant to individual and societal transformation.
• This theme underscores the importance of accountability and the transformative power of forgiveness in fostering reconciliation and societal progress.

Conclusion: Understanding Nigerian Society Through the Lens of The Kite Runner

This exploration has highlighted the prevalence of pragmatism in Nigerian society, analyzing how cultural norms, systemic issues, and the tension between tradition and modernity shape individual decision-making. The moral conflicts explored in The Kite Runner, particularly the choices of Amir and Baba, provide powerful parallels to the complex ethical dilemmas faced in Nigerian society. The novel's themes of guilt, redemption, and societal pressures resonate deeply within the Nigerian context, offering insights into the ongoing struggle to balance personal morality with the realities of a complex social landscape. Ultimately, understanding Nigerian society requires acknowledging the often-difficult choices individuals make in navigating their world, choices that are frequently shaped by pragmatic considerations. We encourage readers to further explore the intricacies of Nigerian culture and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals not only in Nigeria, but in diverse societies worldwide, considering the interplay between pragmatism and morality. The understanding of Nigerian society and its inherent complexities continues to require in-depth analysis and critical engagement.