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The kite runner: exploring the complexity of human relationships.

If you want to read a great world fiction book about culture, loyalty, and passion, the fiction, 'The Kite Runner', is for you. Written by Khaled Hosseini, this fiction is about a man named Amir (no official last name) and his life starting when he...

• The Kite Runner

"The Kite Runner" By Khaled Hosseini: Book Review

Franz Kafka said, “A book should be an ax for the frozen sea within us.” This quote describes how our world is like a frozen sea...untouched and still. A book is supposed to break that stillness of a world, just like “The Kite Runner” by...

Analysis of Hosseini's Use of Narrative Techniques in The Kite Runner

Narrative techniques are the strategies that writers employ in their work in order to strengthen the depth and emotional response of the reader to the events in the story. The way an author tells a story is as essential as the story itself. In The...

• Imagery in Literature
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The Theme Of Betrayal And Redemption In The Kite Runner

There is a theme of redemption In the novel, “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.. The redemption came from the theme of betrayal. Redemption comes when Amir realizes he cannot escape his past and must correct his wrongs from his past. Amir, from the beginning...

Road To Redemption: Amir’s Betrayal In Hosseini’s The Kite Runner 

Nobody would ever believe that an innocent diversion of kite flying could turn into an epic tale of betrayal and in the end, eventual redemption. Khaled Hosseini in The Kite Runner manages to weld this activity with the journey of one man from betrayer to...

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The Common Motif Of Betrayal In Kite Runner

Betrayal is a common motif in Kite Runner, and it happens on numerous occasions, mainly with Baba and Amir. Baba betrays Ali, Hassan, and in a way Amir himself by secretly being the father of Hassan with Ali’s wife. Amir betrayed Hassan when he watched...

The Presentation Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner

For there to be betrayal, there has to be accept as true with first. For each individual in The Kite Runner, there had been trusts of all forms. Trust of family and near friends had been all betrayed. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Hosseini...

The Prevalent Themes in Fiction: The Chosen, The Kite Runner and Others

The most compelling character is Reuven Malter. This is because he is the one that grows the most and changes. You get to see how his emotions and feelings he was a very fiery character who had a temper. He was always quick to conclusions...

The Usage of Guilt as a Driving Force for Decision-Making in The Kite Runner

Voltaire once said, “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do”. Every decision made in life is followed by a consequence. Guilt is one of the most frequent consequences in the novel, The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini depicts the cataclysmic ability...

Analysis of The Issues and Themes in Khalid Hosseini's Novel The Kite Runner

In 1965, Khalid Hosseini born in Kabul the city of Afghanistan. He is the Afghan-American novelist. He also worked as a doctor in California. The Kite Runner was his first novel. Later on he published number of fictions. He moved to US in 1980. He...

Depition of Harships of Living in Afghanistan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American novelist who is one of the most recognized authors in the world. Hosseini is most applauded for his novels, A Thousand Splendid Suns, And the Mountains Echoed, and The Kite Runner which have collectively sold 40 million copies in about...

First Seeds of Classism in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner

My grandmother, when growing up as a teenage immigrant from Japan in America, had suffered atrocities in her lifetime. Be it not speaking English with perfection in accent and pronunciation, or the foods in which she ate, she was tantalized and berated on a day-to-day...

Persistence of the Past and Present in "The Kite Runner"

“There is a way to be good again”, Rahim Khan. “The Kite Runner” by Khalid Hosseini is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read from all perspectives. Right from the minute I opened the book, I was immersed in a...

"The Kite Runner": the Story of Betrayal, Guilt and Redemption

Religion tends to be followed by many citizens but may be interpreted differently amongst many people in societies. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, illustrates how individuals may hurts others with their own personal choices and beliefs. The book portrayed how the characters were...

• Personal Beliefs

A Portray Of The Protagonist Amir By The Author, Khaled Hosseini, In The Novel “The Kite Runner”

A round character is defined by their detailed characteristics. Round characters have fully various personalities, desires, backgrounds, and motivations, they often demonstrate changes through their personality which occur through self vs self-conflict which defines the characters personality. At the start of the novel Amir is...

• Protagonist

Best topics on The Kite Runner

1. The Kite Runner: Exploring the Complexity of Human Relationships

2. “The Kite Runner” By Khaled Hosseini: Book Review

3. Analysis of Hosseini’s Use of Narrative Techniques in The Kite Runner

4. The Theme Of Betrayal And Redemption In The Kite Runner

5. Road To Redemption: Amir’s Betrayal In Hosseini’s The Kite Runner 

6. The Common Motif Of Betrayal In Kite Runner

7. The Presentation Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner

8. The Prevalent Themes in Fiction: The Chosen, The Kite Runner and Others

9. The Usage of Guilt as a Driving Force for Decision-Making in The Kite Runner

10. Analysis of The Issues and Themes in Khalid Hosseini’s Novel The Kite Runner

11. Depition of Harships of Living in Afghanistan in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

12. First Seeds of Classism in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner

13. Persistence of the Past and Present in “The Kite Runner”

14. “The Kite Runner”: the Story of Betrayal, Guilt and Redemption

15. A Portray Of The Protagonist Amir By The Author, Khaled Hosseini, In The Novel “The Kite Runner”

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The Kite Runner Essay (Critical Writing)

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Introduction

Theme of sin and redemption, works cited.

Written by Khaled Hosseini and narrated by Amir, the story’s protagonist, The Kite Runner expatiates how a single event changed Amir’s life completely. Amir narrates of his childhood back in Afghanistan as he grew up in one of the wealthiest families in Kabul back then. Violence in the volatile Afghanistan dominates the text of this book as people try to replace monarchy with republicanism.

The book cuts across many social aspects tackling different themes ranging from inhumanity, through nationalism to family relations among others. This paper elaborates the theme of sin and redemption as applied in The Kite Runner.

Redemption comes only after sin and this idea of redemption stands out in The Kite Runner because sin is so bearing. The story starts by highlighting the enduring nature of sin in this society.

Amir says, “It’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out” (Hosseini 1). What creeps back from the past? It is sin in this context. Amir betrays Hassan twice despite the fact that they are friends. The first incidence occurs when he finds Assef raping Hassan in the alley.

Even though Hassan had stood for Amir in the past, Amir does not help him from his predicament or report the issue to Ali for he would help Hassan! Amir is sinning by betraying his close friend. During his thirteen birthday celebrations, Amir betrays Hassan once again by plotting to bring him out as a thief. Again, sin abounds.

As the story unfold, it becomes clear that everyone is almost guilty of sin and he or she needs redemption. Assef is a sinner for he rapes Hassan. Amir learns later in the story how Baba, his father sinned. After Rahim Khan discloses Baba’s secret to Amir, he realizes that everyone is sinful and the reason why Baba was tough on is that he was guilty of his sin.

This makes Amir realize that their life has been one big lie; sin prevailed from yesteryears, and his betrayal to Hassan is just but a drop in a sea of sins. On the other side, to justify their cold blood killing of the adulteress, the Taliban are busy skewing Muhammad’s words to vindicate their actions.

They are sinful and they know that they need redemption and this is why they change Muhammad’s words; something that Amir compares to his sin. Unfortunately, Amir does not know the way to redemption. He asks Hassan to hit him to get hurt and repay his sins. Amir feels that the only way to redemption is getting hurt the way he hurt Hassan.

Amir does not complain after Assef tries to kill him for he thinks he deserves all this as atonement for his past sins. Soraya is guilt of her sin of running away with another man and she asks Amir to forgive her. Rahim Khan is shameful of her sinful nature of not disclosing to Amir what Baba had done.

She kept this as a secret even after Baba died; she could have told Amir for it is his right to know anything to do with his father. The woman soldier at the border is sinful for asks Baba to sleep with her even though she is married.

The idea of redemption sets in at last after Amir realizes that his past sins together with those of his father can only be atoned for by being good to people. He has to let go the sin of discrimination that he has kept for years. He realizes that helping others would bring joy to his life and this is why he decides to help Sohrab up the ladder of success and felicity.

Nevertheless, Rahim Khan wraps up the theme of redemption in this story. In his letter, Khan says, “I know that in the end, God will forgive. He will forgive your father, you, and me too … Forgive your father if you can. Forgive me if you wish. But most important, forgive yourself” (Hosseini 209). It is God only who forgives sins and redeems people from their sinful nature.

Amir understands this very well towards the end of the book when he asks God to remove Sohrab’s blood from his hands. People can also be redeemed from their sins by forgiving themselves. God is willing to forgive people of their sins; unfortunately, people hold on to their sins, letting guilt to haunt them while God has already forgiven them. As the book closes, Amir redeems himself after forgiving himself of his past sins.

One of the most outstanding themes in The Kite Runner is the theme of sin and redemption. Most of the major characters are sinful.

Amir sins by betraying his close friend Hassan. He lets Assef rape Hassan whilst he could do something to rescue him. His sin follows him and he betrays Hassan again during his birthday party. Baba has done many mistakes in the past and Khan is guilty of keeping Baba’s secret from Amir. Assef, the rapist is a sinner while Soraya has committed the sin of running away with another man.

Amir does not get the issue of redemption and he thinks the only way to it is by paying for it through suffering. However, Khan sheds light on the issue of redemption by indicating that God will forgive all people and people could redeem themselves by forgiving themselves. The theme of sin and redemption comes out clearly in this book.

Hosseini, Khaled. “The Kite Runner.” New York: The Berkeley Publishing Group, 2003.

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The Kite Runner Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

Below you will find four outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini that can be used as essay starters. All four incorporate at least one of the themes found in “The Kite Runner” and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements offer a short summary of “­­­­­­­The Kite Runner” in terms of different elements that could be important in an essay. You are, of course, free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of  important quotes from “The Kite Runner”  our quotes page, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Topic #1: The influence of Afghan culture and historical events

The setting for this book is in three places. The first is Amir’s childhood in Afghanistan. Then at the beginning of violent conflicts, Baba and Amir leave Afghanistan for America. Baba goes from being a wealthy man to a poor immigrant. The third part of the book is about Amir’s return to Afghanistan and his discovery that it has changed. While the book is fiction, some of the work is inspired by Hosseini’s own life and experiences. There are many examples of Afghan culture and outlines of real events that took place in Afghanistan over the past several decades. It is significant that this book shows a much different country from the one that is often presented in the American media. Address the differences and similarities of Afghanistan events and culture in the book and in media coverage.

Topic #2: The significance of the title

At the beginning of the book, Hassan is Amir’s kite runner. They are very close friends and actually half-brothers, though neither is aware of that fact. Then Amir sees Hassan being raped by Assef and does nothing about it. This incident slowly drives a wedge between Hassan and Amir. Amir is forever haunted by the memory. Then he is contacted by his old mentor, Rahim Khan, that there is an opportunity for redemption. When he arrives back in Afghanistan, he is told that Hassan had a son who was sent to live in an orphanage when Hassan and Farzana are both dead. Amir visits the orphanage only to learn that Sohrab has been taken already. He tracks down the man who has Sohrab and discovers that it is actually Assef. In many ways, it is like his past has come back full force. Assef has repeatedly raped and abused Sohrab. He has also allowed others to do the same. Amir gains custody of Sohrab after allowing Assef to beat him. He eventually returns to America with Sohrab, who is damaged in many ways. Toward the end of the book, Amir becomes Sohrab’s kite runner. The relationship has come full circle. However, does Amir ever truly redeem himself from saying nothing when Hassan is raped? Describe how things would have been different if Amir had spoken up, even if it was afterward to an adult.

Topic #3: The parents’ secret

Although Amir and Hassan are supposed to be friends, Amir believes that Hassan is the son of his father’s servant. Because of this, he does not understand and is often jealous of how much his father, Baba, seems to prefer Hassan over Amir. He does not interfere or speak up when Assef rapes Hassan. He tries to frame Hassan for stealing money and jewelry. Many years later, after Hassan is dead, Amir finds out that they were actually half-brothers. He deals with many emotions over not having been told sooner. Given the way that events turned out, would things have been different if Amir and Hassan had known? Would Amir have been kinder to Hassan or would it only have increased his jealousy? Amir states in the book that Hassan knew him better than anyone. Explain how the relationship would have changed if Amir and Hassan had been given that important knowledge.

Topic #4: Child sexual abuse

In the book, Assef’s character represents several of the evils in our society. Among them are rape, pedophilia, and bullying. Assef rapes Hassan at a young age. He finds ways to harass and intimidate Amir. As an adult, he adopts children so that he can abuse and rape them. Amir allows Assef to beat him up at the end of the book so that Amir can take Sohrab with him. This final act of abuse toward Amir is what Assef wanted to do for a number of years. Assef seems to escape prosecution for his various crimes. Explore how this fits in with the other events of the book.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Symbolism — The Kite Runner Symbolism Analysis

The Kite Runner Symbolism Analysis

• Categories: Symbolism

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

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Symbolism of the kite, symbolism of the pomegranate tree, symbolism of the cleft lip.

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The Kite Runner

By khaled hosseini, the kite runner themes.

One can tell kites are central to the novel just by reading its title, " The Kite Runner ." On a plot level, the grand kite tournament of 1975 sets a circle of betrayal and redemption into motion, around which the story revolves. After Hassan gets raped while running his kite, Amir cannot separate kite fighting and running from his own betrayal and cowardice. Therefore, even after all of his injuries and trials on Sohrab 's behalf, it is the act of kite running that finally makes him feel redeemed. Beyond their significance to the plot, kites have multiple layers of symbolism in the story. One of these layers involves the class difference between Amir and Hassan, which largely dictates and limits their relationship. In kite fighting, one boy controls the kite while the other assists by feeding the string. Just as Hassan makes Amir's breakfast, folds his clothes, and cleans his room, so does he cater to Amir in kite tournaments. Even though Hassan shares in the excitement of kite fighting, he does not actually have control over the kite. Hassan may help the kite "lift-and-dive," but Amir is the one who claims a victory. Hassan may catch a cherished rival kite and hold it in his arms, but always to bring it back to Amir, to whom it then belongs. His joy is vicarious, just like his experience of wealth and privilege while living in Baba 's household. In order to free himself of selfishness and cowardice, Amir must go from being merely a kite fighter-someone who seeks glory-to a kite runner, someone who genuinely does things for others.

The activity of kite fighting is violent by nature. The kites battle and so too do the children flying them. The string, which is covered in ground glass, carves deep gashes into the fliers' hands as they try to cut each other down, and once kites fall out of the sky, the kite runners retrieve them with the same furious determination as, say, a hunting dog does a slain bird. In its violence, kite fighting represents the conflicts that rage Afghanistan nearly throughout the course of the novel. When Hosseini paints us a picture of hundreds of kites trying haphazardly and with great determination to cut each other down, he shows us also the warring factions of Afghanistan overthrowing one another. At the same time kite fighting is violent, the mere act of kite flying is innocent and speaks of freedom. Amir and Hassan do not have control over the differences between them; in fact, they are both the victims of a lie, and their relationship would have been different had they known they were brothers. Yet despite their differences and the symbolism of their respective kite-fighting roles, flying kites is an activity that brings the boys together. For a moment, they are part of a team. For many years, Amir feels as though he and Hassan are adversaries for Baba's love. After the rape, Hassan's very existence infuriates Amir because it reminds him of his cowardice. Despite all this, when the boys fly kites together, they are on the same team. They are more like brothers then than perhaps any other time, because the activity is somewhat mutual. It allows them to momentarily escape their differences and enjoy a shared sense of exhilaration and freedom. The cover of The Kite Runner shows a kite flying very high over Kabul. This image can be seen to represent Amir and Hassan's shared sense of freedom, one that takes them away from life's realities until the kite is grounded again.

Discrimination

The Kite Runner tackles the issue of ethnic discrimination in Afghanistan with an example of the relationship between Pashtuns and Hazaras. Baba's father sets an example for him of being kind to Hazara people, even though they are historically demeaned and persecuted. He could have easily sent Ali to an orphanage after his parents' death, but chose to raise him in his household. Baba does the same with Hassan, although this is complicated by the fact that Hassan is actually his son. Even in Baba's house, the house of best intentions, the class barrier between the Pashtuns and Hazaras endures. Ali is as dear to Baba as a brother; he calls him "family." But Ali still lives in a hut and sleeps on a mattress on the floor. He tends the garden, cooks, and cleans up after Baba, and raises Hassan to do the same. So strong is Hassan's identity as a servant that even as an adult, when Baba is gone, he has no sense of entitlement. He insists on staying in the hut and doing housework. When Hassan dies defending Baba's house, he does so not because he feels it belongs to him, but because he is being loyal to Baba and Amir.

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, discrimination is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. On the one hand, the Taliban do not seem to care whom they are beating, torturing, or executing. Children like Sohrab and grandmothers like Sanaubar are all susceptible to the Taliban's cruelty. In this way, the Talibs discriminate against everyone but themselves. As Amir notices, Assef forces Sohrab to dance to music for his enjoyment dancing and listening to music have long been banned. Amir thinks, "I guessed music wasn't sinful as long as it played to Taliban ears." On another level, the Taliban discriminate specifically against the Hazara people. They massacre the Hazaras not only in Mazar-i-Sharif, but in the region of Hazarajat and nearly anywhere else they can find them. Assef and his fellows do not see the Hazaras' lives as worthwhile; they barely see them as human. Assef tells Amir, "Afghanistan is like a beautiful mansion littered with garbage, and someone has to take out the garbage." Like his idol, Hitler, he feels entitled to killing those he deems unworthy of living in his land. He even relishes the term "ethnic cleansing" because it goes so well with his garbage metaphor. Hosseini has mentioned in interviews that his focus on discrimination in The Kite Runner angers some Afghans, who feel it is inappropriate. Like Baba, many people do not mention the Hazaras' history of persecution. Perhaps these people are so uncomfortable with this topic because by having Assef appear in pre-Taliban times and emerge as a leading Talib, Hosseini shows that the Taliban's persecution of the Hazaras and other Shiites is not new, but a greatly intensified outgrowth of long-held discrimination.

Sin and Redemption

In The Kite Runner, redemption is so important because sin is so enduring. Amir opens the story by telling us not about how exactly he sinned, but about sin's endurance: "... It's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out." Hosseini uses structure to emphasize the themes of sin and redemption. Because Amir tells the story in retrospect, every memory, even the blissful ones of his childhood before the rape, are tainted with it. If the timeline of the novel was strictly chronological, we would not have the power of hindsight. Hosseini uses the first chapter almost like a thesis for the novel. As Amir retells the story of his life, he weighs each event against his sin, his betrayal of Hassan. As we learn towards the novel's end, Amir is not the only character who needs redemption, Assef notwithstanding. Until Rahim Khan reveals Baba's secret, Amir thinks he is the only sinner among his family and friends. Even before Amir betrays him, Hassan makes him feel guilty simply by being such a righteous person. Amir is constantly trying to measure up to Baba, because he does not realize that Baba is so hard on him because of his guilt over his own sin.

One Amir finds out about Baba's sin, he feels as though his entire life has been a cycle of betrayal, even before he betrayed Hassan. But having a taste of betrayal himself does little towards redeeming Amir. In Ghazi Stadium, the Taliban skews the words of Muhammad in order to justify murdering the alleged adulterers. The mullah announces that every person should have a punishment befitting his sin. Although he would not want to compare himself to the Taliban, Amir believes this in regards to his own sin. When he tries to get Hassan to pelt him with pomegranates, he is expressing his feeling that in order to be forgiven for hurting Hassan, Hassan must hurt him. When Assef almost kills Amir, he feels "healed," as though now that Assef has hurt him, he is redeemed. He even tells Farid that in the room with Assef, he "got what he deserved." In the end, Amir finds out that punishment is not what will redeem him from his sin. It is not even saving Sohrab. In order to atone for his sin and Baba's before him, Amir must erase the lines of discrimination he has lived with all his life by giving Sohrab an equal chance at success and happiness.

Soraya needs Amir to forgive her before she can marry him. In the same way, Rahim Khan needs Amir to forgive him for keeping Baba's secret before he dies. Rahim Khan, the story's unofficial wise man, is the one who truly understands how redemption occurs. He tells Amir in his letter, "I know that in the end, God will forgive. He will forgive your father, me, and you too ... Forgive your father if you can. Forgive me if you wish. But most important, forgive yourself." Rahim Khan carries the novel's ultimate message about forgiveness. God is merciful; it is people who are not. Therefore, truly atoning for one's sins means coming to terms with them by oneself, without relying on a higher power. When Amir prays, he is still bound by fear and guilt; instead of wishing unselfishly for Sohrab to recover, he begs God not to leave "Sohrab's blood on his hands." When Amir manages to forgive himself in the very last moments of the novel, he redeems himself at last.

Literacy and the Written Word

In the novel, writing is both a dividing force and a uniting one. Amir's wish to be a writer separates him from Baba, who wants him to be athletic and equates his bookishness with weakness. In Amir's young life, his ability to read and write separates him from Hassan. Because Hassan is a Hazara and expected to remain a servant like Ali before him, no one makes sure he is literate. While Amir goes to school every day, Hassan stays behind and does his chores. On the one hand, Hassan's illiteracy brings him closer to Amir. The boys spend countless hours together under the pomegranate tree, Amir reading stories to Hassan. When Amir begins to write stories, Hassan is his rapt audience. Yet Amir realizes that being literate gives him power over Hassan. He lords his advantage over the unsuspecting Hassan by making up stories while pretending to read and teasing Hassan for not knowing certain words. Only later does Hassan realize the power of literacy and its connection to social power. He makes sure that Sohrab can read and write and expresses his wish for Sohrab to be "someone important."

Despite the connection between literacy and discrimination, the written word is largely a unifying force in the novel. One thing that makes Amir admire Soraya even more is her story of how she taught an illiterate woman to read and write. That act of teaching unified Soraya and the woman; the telling of it brings her and Amir closer together. Traditionally, the power of the written word is located in its endurance beyond death. This rings true in the novel when Amir reads Hassan's letter, although as he reads it he does not yet know Hassan is dead. Additionally remarkable about Hassan's letter is that it puts him on an equal level with Hassan; now that he is literate, written words are no longer a barrier between them. Rahim Khan's letter is the final one in the novel, and it is also the one containing the ultimate message about forgiveness. Hosseini gives extra emphasis to writing's importance by putting this central message in written form.

Family Ties

Family is extremely important in the story, especially because it takes place in Afghanistan. It is a nation where culture and tradition are of monumental importance, especially to the older generation. We see this when Baba and Amir are in America. Even though they are in a different country, Amir is expected to observe cultural tradition in courting Soraya. Not only must they go through khastegari, in order to get engaged, but they cannot be seen together in public before the wedding. One the one hand, everyone in Afghanistan is part of one family; as Baba says, "Take two Afghans who've never met, put them in a room for ten minutes, and they'll figure out how they're related." On the other hand, lineage is of the utmost importance. When Amir and Soraya are condisering adopting a child, General Taheri explains that Afghans are not meant to disturb their family line with such a decision. He tells them that Baba's reputation was a big consideration in regards to their marriage and says, "Blood is a powerful thing ... And when you adopt, you don't know whose blood you're bringing into your house."

What General Taheri does not know is that for the very reason that family is so important to Afghans, Baba kept Hassan's identity secret to his grave. To him, denying Hassan his identity was preferable to confusing the relationship between Ali and himself and that between Amir and Hassan. Baba treats Ali and Hassan as equally as he felt he could without destroying his and Ali's honor, but Baba knows that they are his family. Amir does not have this privilege and his ignorance makes him more irreverent towards Hassan, who is loyal as a brother to him anyway. Family is more important to Amir than he knows; his guilt over hurting Hassan is terrible when he thinks Hassan is just another person. Once he knows they are related, he is overcome with guilt, enough to put himself in danger and stand up for Sohrab. For much of his life, Amir feels as though his family is the cause of his problems. He thinks Baba blames him for his mother's death and spends much of his childhood tormented by trying to win a place in Baba's heart. Family is the reason why Amir fights to bring Sohrab home and, ultimately, the channel through which he redeems himself.

Even though Hosseini has stated that he wanted to remind people of a peaceful Afghanistan, he also does the service of revealing the suffering the nation has experienced in a quarter century of conflict. Violence pervades the novel, even in the seemingly innocuous activity of kite fighting. Not only is kite fighting violent because it is a kind of battle, but boys injure their hands when they participate. This fact suggests that Afghanistan has become a place where joy cannot exist separately from pain; Afghans' memories of their homeland are tainted with suffering. The entire novel centers around a single act of violence, Hassan's rape, and the sin Amir commits by pretending that violence did not occur. Symbolically, Hassan's rape is echoed by Sohrab's rape decades later and by Afghanistan's continual rape by war and terrorism.

Amir's life in America does involve suffering, especially regarding Baba's death. But Baba's death is peaceful. Because America is a haven from violence, the violence under the Taliban in Kabul is even more shocking and sobering. Amir gets a taste of violence when he and Baba are fleeing for Pakistan and Kamal's father commits suicide. However, nothing can prepare him for the extent of violence and suffering in Afghanistann. One of the most graphic accounts is of the stonings at Ghazi Stadium. Like the rapes of Hassan and Sohrab, the event symbolizes the devastation of Afghanistan as a whole, as Afghans once knew it. Anothr very violent event is Amir's fight with Assef. At the time, Amir's pain makes him feel happy and "healed"; it is as though by suffering, he is repaying Hassan for all the violence he suffered on Amir's behalf. Amir's split lip, though minor compared to his other injuries, is most significant because it represents this feeling of closeness to Hassan. Yet we learn that violence is not the answer to Amir's problems, nor does he understand just how deep its consequences run. When young Sohrab tries to kill himself, Amir sees that his nearly fatal injuries were nothing compared to the pain Sohrab and other Afghans have suffered. Ultimately, he finds out that the only way to heal the violence done to Hassan and Sohrab is to forgive himself.

Homeland and Nationality

Because Amir immigrates to the United States when he is still growing up, the question of his national identity is especially complex. Baba sees America as a refuge and becomes enthralled, as Amir says, with "the idea of America." He identifies with American optimism and freedom of choice, and even hangs a framed picture of Ronald Reagan on the wall of their apartment. Up until his death, Baba is a guest in America; Afghanistan is undeniably the place where he can be himself. There, he was a successful and influential figure. In America , he must work at the gas station and suffer the humiliation of being a foreigner, as with the Nguyens. For young Amir, America is not only politically free, but more importantly, free of Hassan and memories of him. He uses the image of a river to describe the exhilaration and cleansing effect that being in America has on him. He opens his arms wide to America, even though he maintains Afghan traditions regarding courtship and writes a novel about Afghanistan. Because he comes into adulthood in America, Amir does not suffer along with his fellow Afghans. As he discovers, this makes all the difference in defining his national identity.

Amir's coming to Afghanistan should by all accounts be a homecoming, but Amir can never truly revisit his homeland; it no longer exists as he knew it. In the interim between Amir's flight from Kabul and his return, the Soviets, warring factions, and the Taliban have turned it from a culturally rich and bustling place into a ghost town of beggars among the rubble and hanging corpses. Amir can no longer be an Afghan because being an Afghan has become synonymous with having survived terror, if not much worse. According to Farid, however, Amir never had an Afghan identity to lose. He tells Amir that his privileged upbringing has made him a "tourist" in Afghanistan all his life. Amir himself tells Rahim Khan that he cannot go to Afghanistan because he has a wife, a home, and a life in America. Through these conversations, Hosseini asks what constitutes a homeland, a watan. If Farid is right, then Amir has no homeland. However, once Farid finds out why Amir has returned to Afghanistan, he changes his opinion of him. He seems to accept him as a friend, if not a countryman. According to the novel, then, one's homeland depends not only on one's emotional attachment to a place but one's tangible devotion to it. To make a place one's homeland, Hosseini seems to suggest, one must be willing not merely to dwell on nostalgic feelings but to put them into action-whether like Farid, by fighting in a trench, or like Amir, by trying to save someone from the homeland itself.

The Kite Runner Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Kite Runner is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini chapter 2&3

I'm not sure what your question is here.

Baba gets lung cancer. What has Baba been trying to teach Amir?

He wants to teach Amir how to be on his own.

What must grooms do before they ask a girl to wed?

Grooms must ask the father's (of the bride) permission first.

Study Guide for The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a novel by Khaled Hosseini. The Kite Runner study guide contains a biography of Khaled Hosseini, 100 quiz questions, a list of major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Kite Runner
• The Kite Runner Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

• Amir’s Quest for Salvation in The Kite Runner
• A Journey for Redemption in The Kite Runner
• Redemption in Kahled Hosseini's The Kite Runner
• Assef: Why Is He the Way He Is?
• Emotional Intertextuality Between Death of a Salesman and The Kite Runner

Lesson Plan for The Kite Runner

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Kite Runner
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Kite Runner Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Kite Runner

• Introduction

The Kite Runner - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini delves into the intricate web of personal and societal relationships amidst the turbulent historical and political backdrop of Afghanistan. Essays could explore the complex themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for identity as experienced by the protagonist Amir. The discussions could also delve into the nuanced portrayal of father-son relationships, friendship, and the divisive social hierarchy depicted in the narrative. Furthermore, essays might examine the impact of historical and political turmoil on individual lives and societal structures as portrayed in the novel. The discussion could extend to the exploration of the narrative techniques employed by Hosseini, the cultural insights offered through the narrative, and the broader implications concerning ethnic tensions, diaspora, and the human capacity for both betrayal and redemption. The discourse might also touch upon the novel’s impact on the contemporary literary landscape and its contribution to creating a dialogue on Afghanistan’s history and culture. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to The Kite Runner you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Kite Runner Final

In the Kite Runner, the major underlying theme is the relationships between characters. These relationships grow and change through the events and conflicts in the story. The theme of sin and forgiveness is prevalent in the novel Throughout the first part of the novel, the character Ali is introduced along with his personality and his character. Two of his most predominant traits displayed in the text are the affection he shows towards others and his ability to accept and forget […]

Theme of Redemption in the Kite Runner

It is only normal for humans to make mistakes, but it is how the mistakes are resolved that will dictate ones’ fate. In The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, he describes the life of a young boy named Amir whose mistake haunts him for years, and his journey to find a way to relieve the guilt he had to live with. The author demonstrates how guilt can physically and psychologically push a person to search for ways to redeem […]

Amir in the Kite Runner

The Kite Runner takes place in Afghanistan, which is a very religious country. Most people in Afghanistan practice Sunni Islam. Sunni is one of the two major denominations of Islam; Shi'a is the other one. In the novel The kite runner, there is a discrimination of religion's differences, because Hasan is an ethnic Hazara and practices Shi'a Islam, therefore the Afghan people mistreat him because of his race and religion. They consider that Hazaras as a slave in their community.For […]

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Guilt in the Kite Runner

By not facing the past, internal conflict becomes prevalent in life and can prevent one from moving forward. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Amir lives in Kabul, Afghanistan with his father, Hassan, and Ali during 1963-1981. Hassan and Amir grew up with each other and were each other's best friends, but when the bully Assef raped Hassan, both of their lives changed. In his novel, Hosseini explores the internal conflicts of jealousy and guilt, ultimately portraying how neglecting […]

The Symbolism of the Pomegranate Tree in “The Kite Runner”

In The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, there are several symbols throughout the text such as kites, the hairelip, and the pomegranate tree. These symbols represent the central concern of guilt and redemption which make up much of the novel's plot. More specifically, the pomegranate tree is significant because it reveals the true nature of Hassan and Amir's relationship. The changing depiction of the tree represents the changing connection between them throughout the novel. Pomegranates are traditionally seen as […]

The Kite Runner Redemption

 The Kite Runner is filled with many compelling characters that have struggled much throughout story and transform into their better halves by redeeming themselves into a better person. Amir is the narrator and the protagonist that is driven by his guilt caused by his desire to win over his father’s affection. Throughout the book, Amir is searching for countless ways to to deal with his guilt by redeeming himself. In the book, The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, Amir […]

The Kite Runner about an Afghan Boy

The Kite Runner is a story about an Afghan boy, Amir, who goes from living in war-torn Afghanistan, to a successful writer living in America that faces many hardships throughout his life. The novel explores class consciousness, guilt, betrayal, and the complex nature of friendship. Characters in The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini are primarily motivated by their loyalty and desire for approval which reflects on their morals and values, those who seek redemption in the book are also heavily […]

The Kite Runner Loyalty

When choices become critical, make no mistake, one wrong move and everything will come tumbling down. Hassan, the protagonists' servant in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, is a Hazara boy living in Afghanistan as a servant to his best friend Amir when a traumatizing event causes him to change. Mazikeen, the main character's ally in the Hulu series Lucifer, is a demon who holds the form of a young woman and the best friend of Lucifer and works alongside him […]

The Kite Runner Summer Reading

All of the characters in The Kite Runner are compelling and significant. However, Hassan is the most interesting and he stands out from every other character because of this. The audience was intrigued with Hassan because of his friendly personality and constant cheerfulness. He was always watching out for other characters and putting those around him before himself. He overcame struggles that no other character had to face, due to his ethnic background and the troubles within his relationship with […]

The Kite Runner a Novel Full of Betrayals

The Kite Runner, author Khaled Hosseini is a novel full of betrayals and people seeking their redemptions. The novel is based off a major betrayal but is surrounded by other betrayals. The main character Amir betrayed his best friend Hassan and later in his life he tries to seek redemptions for past deeds. After twenty-six years, Amir returns to Afghanistan in order to redeem himself but falls short of acquiring full redemption. Amir cannot completely redeem himself due to watching […]

Theme of Betrayal in the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Firstly I would like to start by explaining what the difference between pashtuns and hazaras are in the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini’s in afrighanistan there are two different races and ethnics groups. The first group are called pashtuns and they are known for being the sunni mislims, they are also known for being rich, strong, and having a higher class than any hazaras. On the other hand there are the hazaras who are looked down upon, they […]

The Kite Runner Movie and Book Comparison

In the Kite Runner, there were some main differences that stood out in the movie from the book. One difference is that in the book Hassan had a cleft lip and for his birthday Baba pays for Hassan to get a surgery as a birthday gift. “It’s an unusual present, I know,” Baba said. And probably not what you had in mind, but this present will last forever” (Hosseini, 46). In the movie Hassan doesn’t have this facial deformity, so […]

“The Kite Runner”: Soraya’s Struggle for Independence and Identity

The Kite Runner: Depiction of Women in Afghan Society The book, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a story that follows the life of Amir. Living in Kabul, Afghanistan, during his childhood made him the person he is today. He lived in a nice house with his father, Baba, and their two servants, Ali and Hassan. Throughout this novel, women are depicted as objects and not humans. Due to long-held societal views, women who seek a profession are often […]

Deciphering ‘The Kite Runner’: SparkNotes’ Insightful Analysis

In the realm of literary wonders, few narratives enrapture the soul quite like Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner." Nestled within the tumultuous embrace of Afghanistan's history, this tale stitches together threads of friendship, betrayal, redemption, and the enduring weight of guilt. As readers journey through its pages, they're beckoned into a realm where the human experience is laid bare, resonating with universal truths. Amidst this literary landscape, SparkNotes emerges as a beacon, illuminating the depths of this masterpiece with its […]

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How To Write an Essay About The Kite Runner

Understanding the kite runner.

Before starting an essay on Khaled Hosseini's 'The Kite Runner', it's important to have a comprehensive understanding of the novel. 'The Kite Runner' is a powerful story set in Afghanistan, spanning from the final days of the monarchy to the present, dealing with themes of betrayal, redemption, and the complex nature of relationships. Start by outlining the plot, focusing on the relationship between the two main characters, Amir and Hassan, and the pivotal events that shape their lives. Understanding the socio-political context of Afghanistan during this period, as well as the cultural and ethical dilemmas presented in the novel, is crucial for a deep analysis of its themes.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on 'The Kite Runner' should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the novel. For instance, you might analyze the theme of redemption and its significance in the story, the impact of socio-political changes on the characters, or the role of friendship and betrayal. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay, providing a structured and focused exploration of the novel.

Gathering Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, gather evidence from the text. This involves closely reading the novel to find relevant quotes, dialogues, and narrative descriptions that support your argument. For example, if discussing the theme of redemption, identify key moments in Amir’s journey that reflect his struggle and eventual redemption. Use these examples to build your argument and give depth to your analysis.

Analyzing Hosseini's Techniques and Themes

Analyze how Hosseini uses literary techniques to develop the novel's themes and characters. Discuss his use of narrative structure, symbolism (such as kites and the pomegranate tree), and character development. For example, explore how the shifting narrative perspective enhances the story's emotional impact or how the setting contributes to the overall mood of the novel. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and how Hosseini communicates his ideas.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main arguments and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together your insights into 'The Kite Runner,' emphasizing the significance of your findings. Reflect on the broader implications of the novel, such as its relevance to contemporary issues or its contribution to the genre of modern literature.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are coherent, your evidence is clearly presented, and your writing is free of grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from teachers or peers to help improve your essay. A well-written essay on 'The Kite Runner' will not only demonstrate your understanding of the novel but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

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