The Kite Runner Literature Analysis

 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, anyone who was in Dr. Preston's class sophomore year should remember this book.

1. Amir is troubled for his entire life of the events that happened in his childhood growing up in Afghanistan with his one and only Hassan friend who was also like a servant to him. They acted like friends despite one being a servant for the other, they were strongly connected until the day of the kite fighting tournament. Amir finally won and it is tradition to have someone run after your kite and retrieve it for you, Hassan happily runs to chase the kite but is caught by the neighborhood bullies. Amir witnesses the whole unholy scene as his friend is raped by the bullies. Amir is tormented by this and not having stood up and protected Hassan, the no longer are friends but more of awkward acquaintances after the event. They no longer play together or talk. Amir and his father flee from Kabul as it gets invaded by the soviets. They move to California where Amir grows up, graduates from high school and marries Soraya. They fail to have a baby of their own. After many years of not knowing what happened to Hassan or his father Amir receives a note and is told that Hassan is dead but that he has a son. Amir goes to rescue Hassan's son Sohrab and brings him back home after much fighting for him. Amir also learns that he was half brothers with Hassan. In the end Sohrab flies a kite in a tournament and Amir runs the kite for him, it is the only time Sohrab smiled.
2. " There is a way to be good again" this is a famous quote from the book and Amir receives it in a letter from Afghanistan when he is told of Hassan having a son and Hassan dying. The theme of the story couldn't be summarized in a better sentence. This is exactly what the reader was intended to learn from the story. Just because you did something wrong doesn't there isn't a way to fix it and make things right again. Amir pushes himself to rescue Hassan's son at the risk of his own life. He is still tormented by not having stood up for Hassan and now feels he can redeem himself by standing up for his son.
3. “We’re a melancholic people, we Afghans, aren’t we? . . . We give in to loss, to suffering, accept it as a fact of life, even see it as necessary.”  Solemn. The story is told through a solemn and grieving tone. "There is only one sin, only one and that is theft." the main inspirational points in the story are almost depressing with the messages they give the reader. "A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.”
4. Flashback- The story has many flashback moments that help the story to progress and provide supporting details. They hold the story together and provide information that is vital to the understanding of the story.
Atmosphere- the atmosphere of the story is often full of tension or suspense because of the powerful emotional elements that the book attempts to elicit from its readers.
Symbolism- Winning the kite battle and cheering with your best friend because the kite the two of you made together is powerful symbolism for friendship and achievement. Then when Hassan runs the kite the symbol of friendship and brotherhood is broken and shattered. The entire story is about Amir trying to restore this symbolism between him and Hassan and trying to find a way to be good again.
Metaphor- "It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb." The story is home to many metaphors that describe emotional or powerful moments in the story.
Paradox- "My body felt broken... but I felt healed" How can something be broken yet healed? Is it healed because it is less broken than before? A paradox is a strong way to make a reader thing about an important event or message from a story.