The Myth of Eurocentric Values as Universal in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns

Abstract

The research paper unveils the myth of Eurocentric concept of love as a universal practice in Khaled Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns.  The views of Samir Amin and Edward Said regarding Eurocentrism are included in the paper. The concept of eternal West is constructed and propagated on mythic foundation. Eurocentrism is based on prejudice and Western superiority by pushing the Other into periphery. Hosseini promotes Westernized concept of romantic love relationship by relegating Afghan tradition of marriage.  He attempts to justify sexual relationship without wedlock in his novel.  Westernized romantic love is not in line with Afghan tradition which stresses sexual modesty and does not allow sexual relationship without marriage.  In the novel under study, lovers develop close attachment with each other and violate moral limits by developing illicit sexual relationship.  Hosseini justifies their sexual relationship under protection of Western liberalism and personal freedom.  He considers Eurocentrism as a norm because he admires it in his novel.