Racism and Prejudice

Both experiences and assumptions of racism and prejudice define the actions and attitudes of almost all the characters in the play. While this is most apparently true of protagonist Amir and of his nephew Abe, each of whom has an experience of anti-Muslim prejudice and attitudes, it’s also true of Isaac. His relationship with Amir is, to some degree, defined by thinly-veiled anti-Jewish prejudice on Amir’s side, and similarly thinly-veiled anti-Muslim prejudice on Isaac’s. All three of these characters are hated and feared, or expect to be hated and feared, because of their skin pigmentation and / or beliefs about their faith / religion.

It’s important to note, however, that even the actions of the apparently non-racist Emily are also defined by racism and prejudice. In her case, however, there is the sense that she and her attitudes are defined by a...