Construction of Unauthentic Knowledge in Hossenei’s Novel And the Mountains Echoed

Abstract

This research attempts to explore the creation of unauthentic knowledge in Khaled Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed. Grounded in neo-orientalist theoretical framework, the study critically examines the representations of Afghans and Afghanistan in the selected novel, focusing perpetuation of neo-orientalist discourses and the construction of unauthentic knowledge. Drawing on the works of Edward Said, Spivak and Dabashi, the research applies the concept of “native informant". The study explores too the ways in which neo-orientalist discourses are produced, reproduced, and reinforced. Through a close reading method of the text, the analysis reveals instances of eroticization, othering, and the reinforcement of Western stereotypes about Afghanistan. The novel's representation of Afghan women tends to conform to Western preconceptions of Muslim women as oppressed and passive, overlooking their agency and diversity. Besides, the construction of the Afghan-American diaspora simplifies and exoticizes the experiences of Afghan immigrants, contributing to the perpetuation of unauthentic knowledge. The findings of this research underscore the importance of critically engaging with representations of non-Western cultures in literature and challenging the reliance on native informants. The research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of modern ‘native informants’ about Afghanistan.