"The Kite Runner"

This blog of "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hassoini, was researched and written by Carmen and Curtis

important QUOTES in "The Kite Runner"

“That was a long time ago, but 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. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.”


These words are written by the main character in "The Kite Runner", Amir. The "deserted alley" that is mentioned in this quote, is symbolizing the alley where Amir watched and did not take action to stop Hassan's rape. 
The guilt that Amir carries with his for not helping or taking a stand to help Hassan, stays with him for a life time. No act of redemption is large enough to mask the guilt that he feels from that day. No matter how hard he tries to forget about the rape, it always manages to come back and haunt him. 






"Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors."


This quote explains the relationship between Baba, and Amir. As Amir is growing up, he is portrayed as a weak, scared and timid young boy who will not fight nor stick up for himself or the people closest to him. Baba resents this and wishes deeply that Amir would be stronger, just as he is. The "colors" represent the personality traits that a child  portrays. No one has control of this or can determine what kind of person a child will be, or what "colors" they are given. 

the PLOT of "The Kite Runner"

The most important part of the novel is when Amir returns to Afghanistan. This part represents the main change in the book and also symbolizes redemption, realization as well as a new beginning of a guilt free life for Amir and the beginning of a wonderful life for his nephew. The other main event that caused change would be Hassan’s rape. The boy’s life before the rape, versus after the rape were so vastly different. Before the rape, they were happy and carefree and kids who enjoyed being young. After the rape, Hassan’s life was full of shame and embarrassment, and Amir’s was full of guilt.

After Hassans Rape is when the reader starts to gain the understanding of the main theme of guilt. From that day on, there is not a day that goes by where Amir does not feel the sharp pain of guilt. While growing up in America, he trys to push his guilt to the back of his mind and forget about it, which is a very hard and nearly impossible task. 

The novel starts off in America, where Amir flys the kite and finally achieves the bond and reaction from his nephew that he had been working towards for a long time. By starting off with a "flash forward" the reader gains a sense of curiosity of how these two young boys from Kabul end up in America and the journey and path they had to follow and experience to get there.

CHARACTERIZATION found within "The Kite Runner"

The protagonist of the story as well as its narrator is Amir. He is the son of a rich successful businessman in Kabul. Amir's dilemma at the start of the story is wanting Baba's approval. One night Amir over heard Baba talking to his best friend about how Hassan does all of Amirs battles for him. This made Amir think Baba wished he were more like Hassan and was jealous when Baba would show affection towards Hassan. That is why Amir let Hassan get raped the night of the kite fight. In order to get respect from Baba, he had to present him with the last cut kite. After allowing Hassan to be raped, Amir is not any happier. The guilt overpowers everything, and Amir realizes his selfishness cost him his happiness instead of increasing it.

When Amir adopts Sohrab, it almost makes up for everything that Amir let happen to Hassan. Sohrab also becomes a substitute for the child that he and Soraya cant have themselves. Amir is a loving father for Sohrab, which is is half nephew, and makes peace with his past.

SYMBOLS found within "The Kite Runner"

Kites:

The kite acts as a symbol for Amir’s in opposite ways.  Fighting kites is what he enjoyed most when he was younger with Hassan, but it also reminds him of the guilt from the night Hassan was raped; because of the kite. He wanted Baba to be proud of him, and in order to do that he needed to present Baba with the last kite that went down in the fight. He will always remember the kite as a sign of his betrayal of Hassan. But after Amir redeems himself by adapting Sohrab, he then fly's a kite with him and does not feel the previous guilt. He feels the joy he had when him and Hassan would fight kites when they were younger. Flying the kite with Sohrab at the end is what starts a real connection between him and Sohrab.

Hassan's cleft lip:

Hassan’s cleft lip is one of his most obviouse features as a child, and it is one of the features Amir refers to most in describing him. Hassan being a Hazara does not have the money to pay for the surgery to fix it. Baba being Hassan's secret biological father pays for his surgey for his birthday showing his secret love for Hassan.

When Amir ans Assef get into their big fight, Assef splits Amir's lip and leave a scar similar to Hassan's. This helps Amir feel like part of Hassan is always with him and helps him do what is right. Which is adopting Sohrab, and being a loving father to him.

SETTING and CULTURE of "The Kite Runner"

Kabul Afghanistan:

The settings of “The Kite Runner” are, Kabul Afghanistan, Pakistan and San Francesco USA.

The Culture of Kabul: Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.  Afghanistan can be translated to “place of Afghans” or “the land of Afghans”. It is a very multicultural and bilingual nation. There are many different traditions found across the country. There are various influences found in Kabul from around the world. Religion is the number one most important aspect of Afghans life.

TIMELINE of "The Kite Runner"

1931- Baba is born

1963- Amir is born

1964- Hassan is born

1975- Amir wins the kite contest

-       Hassan’s rape

1976- Hassan and Ali leave

1981- Russian invasion

-       Amir and Baba leave Afghanistan and travel to Pakistan

1982- Amir and Baba arrive in San Francisco, USA

1985- Amir and Soraya get married

1990 - Hassan’s mother returns

-       Sohrab is born

1996- Taliban takes over

2001- Rahin Khan asks Amir to come back to Afghanistan

-       Amir travels to Afghanistan and begins his search for Sohrab

-       A few months later, he brings Sohrab back to the States

2002- Amir and Sohrab finally bond and gain their connection, when Amir runs the kite for Sohrab.