Mun Afghaniyum: The Nexus of Psychocultural Feelings of Manhood, Guilt and Culture in Shooting Kabul

Abstract

This research paper explores anxiety through a psychoanalytical lens, along with repression, honor, and feelings of guilt experienced by Fadi, a young Afghan immigrant, in the novel Shooting Kabul. Fadi’s family flees from the Taliban in Kabul, and during their escape, he loses his younger sister, Mariam. Drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis, the study analyzes Fadi’s mental state throughout the novel and examines the cultural concepts of Pashtunwali and Afghaniyat, which are closely linked to feelings of guilt that shape him as a man. Through a textual analysis of the novel, the article shows how Fadi’s traumatic experiences and associated guilt hinder his ability to cope and recover from anxiety, leading to further psychological distress. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological effects of displacement and guilt on children in conflict zones and highlights the need for effective mental health interventions to support children and families affected by conflict, war, and displacement.

Keywords: Afghaniyat, Manhood, Guilt, Pashtunwali, Shooting Kabul, Culture, Migration