Identity can be defined as the way you think about yourself, the way you view the world and the characteristics that define you. It is a typical feature for authors to create unique identities for their characters which shapes the rest of the book. Both novels explore the ambitions, dreams and personality of their protagonists in order to portray their sense of identity. Firstly, both Gatsby in The Great Gatsby and Baba in The Kite Runner attempt to create an personal identity for themselves through wealth. Gatsby is an epithet of wealth which is seen through his lavish parties and his bright yellow Rolls Royce. Through Nicks narrations we find out that Gatsby hasnt been wealthy his whole life and was quite poor in his childhood in which he begins to create this dream of the perfect life which then forms his identity. Also, Baba has worked endlessly for his wealth in Afghanistan which has landed hi
m a high rank in the Afghan society thus forming his identity. Secondly, both Gatsby and Babas create a national identities are also shaped through the community around them. Baba is well respected in Afghanistan which has caused people to have a particular perception of him which he is ultimately forced to live up to. Likewise, Gatsby has two communities that build his identity; one is a temporary community which are the people at his parties that do not recognize him whereas the other is the characters he interacts verbally with such as Nick, Daisy, Tom and Jordan which makes them his inner community. The authors both create a question of whether these factors of identity enables them to live successfully and fulfill the American dream for Gatsby and national identity for Amir and Baba. Therefore, the exploration of identity is essential for establishing whether the protagonists live successfully.