Theme of The Kite Runner Essay - 682 Words

What is the Theme of The Kite Runner? The Kite Runner was written by Khaled Hosseini and published in 2003. It tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, Afghanistan, and Hassan, his father’s Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan’s Monarchy, through the Soviet Military intervention, the exile of Pakistan refugees to America, and the rise of the Taliban. The main theme of this book focuses on guilt and redemption. Throughout the novel, Amir is constantly trying to redeem himself. Early on, Amir strives to redeem himself through his father’s eyes primarily because his mother died giving birth to him, and he feels responsible. The more important part of Amir’s search for†¦show more content†¦Though Hassan was his best friend, Amir feelt that Hassan, a Hazara servant, was beneath him. He passively attacked Hassan by mocking and taunting him. Amir never learned how to affirm himself against anyone because Hassan always defended him. All of these factors lead to Amir not being able to stand up for Hassan when he needed him most. One triumphant day, Amir won the local kite fighting tournament and finally earned Baba’s praise. Hassan ran to retrieve the losing kite, which was considered a trophy, and told Amir â€Å"For you, a thousand times over†. When Hassan finally obtained the kite, he was cornered by Assef and his friends. Assef was the neighborhood bully and had tortured Amir and Hassan for years. When Hassan refused to give up the kite, Assef beat and raped him. Amir watched the whole thing but didn’t interfe because he didn’t want to lose the respect of his father. The guilt ate Amir alive. â€Å"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.† Soon after the incident, Amir tried to distance himself from Hassan and Hassan and his father eventually leave. A couple years later, Amir and Baba flee to America to escape the war in Afghanistan. Amir graduates and gets married but even after all those years;Show MoreRelatedTheme Of Forgiveness In The Kite Runner1364 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love† (Bryant H. McGrill). This message is greatly conveyed throughout Khalid Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. The main character, Amir, experiences certain situations which require him to stand up for those he loves or which require him to forgive either others or most importantly: himself. The whole novel leads us through a roller coaster of Amir’s life, which in the end, finally finds peace and forgiveness within himself.Read MoreTheme Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner1148 Words   |  5 Pagespeople. However, actions can change the course of that relationship based on one decision. Throughout the novel, the readers get a glimpse of how choices the characters make can change the outcome of their lives. Throughout The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the theme of betrayal to demonstrate the domino effect it can have on relationships. Everything that happened in the novel started with Baba and the decisions he made a long time ago. Ali was Babas servant, forcing them to growRead MoreTheme Of Guilt In The Kite Runner986 Words   |  4 PagesGuilt has the incredible power to change an individual’s perspective and affect them for the rest of their life. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a world-renowned novel published in 2003 that tells the story of a young boy named Amir who grows up with the guilt of having failed to fight the group of boys who raped his closest friend. One of the main themes Hosseini emphasizes in the novel, is the powerful affect of guilt on one’s self. Different characters such as Amir, Sanubar andRead MoreTheme Of Betrayal In The Kite Runner1331 Words   |  6 PagesInto Eyes To Forgive Or Ripping Them Out Because Of It Even as literature has multiple genres, themes can still parallel each other regardless of appearing in two altogether varying works very different authors of distinctly separate time frames conceive and write. Even as The Kite Runner is written as a work of historical fiction and Oedipus Rex develops a well known and praisable Greek tragedy, a theme of betrayal places itself throughout both. Literature demonstrates that morals can genuinely beRead MoreTheme Of Violence In The Kite Runner810 Words   |  4 Pagesnecessity to live through a difficult situation. The Kite Runner utilizes violence to set the tone and setting towards a darker, more depressing atmosphere. The character Hosseini is the producer of the majority of violence in the novel and he definitely has an impact on the mood, but for good reason. Many events occur including the rapes of Hassan and Sohrab, the Hassan and Farzana murders, stonings at Ghazi stadium, and the actual activity of kite fighting. The darkness of these events may seem irrelevantRead MoreTheme Of Violence In The Kite Runner1133 Words   |  5 Pagesall have one trait in common; To be accepted. Although, in trying to become accepted, we can lose friendships and trust from people we love, but far worse we could lose ourselves, trying to be accepted for someone we are not. In the novel â€Å"The Kite Runner† by Khaled Hossieni, we as the reader see many different situations in witch Amir is putting his real self aside and taking his anger out and betraying someone very close to Baba and Amir himself, closer than the reader and the protagonist AmirRead MoreTheme Of Fate In The Kite Runner743 Words   |  3 Pagescommon subject known to all ancient societies around the world, some more than others. This essay will revolve around how prophecy is the main theme in both texts. Starting off with The Kite Runner, there are more clues of fate than those in Oedipus Rex’s story. For example, the simple kites in the story represent fate and prophecy pointing out themes from the beginning. Amir and Hassan had always been best friends, like brothers. They played together they had a unique bond as they were togetherRead MoreThe Theme Of Friendship In The Kite Runner1215 Words   |  5 PagesThe Kite Runner - The Final Essay- Friendship Vs Betrayal Friendship is a two way street and if the definition of friendship is not the same between the two people then it results in betrayal â€Å"But before you sacrifice yourself for him, think about this: Would he do the same for you?† (77). In The Kite Runner, a story written by Khaled Hosseini, which follows the two â€Å"friends† Amir and Hassan , who grew up together in Kabul, Afghanistan. Both had differed from each other, maybe even opposites, AmirRead MoreTheme Of Sacrifice In The Kite Runner1061 Words   |  5 Pages Sacrifice is a common theme brought to the forefront of many stories throughout history, stories both real and fictional. From beginning to ending, Khaled Hosseini perfectly establishes the theme of sacrifice in his novel The Kite Runner. Baba, the father of the protagonist, sacrificed much in his life purely out of the love in his heart. His love and sacrifice spread from his family, to strangers, and most importantly to his son Amir. Baba sacrificed his own soul in order to keep the people heRead MoreThe Theme Of The Epic Of GilgameshAnd The Kite Runner1548 Words   |  7 Pagesnumerous stories that present readers with similar themes embedded throughout the writings. The Epic of Gilgamesh, The King Must Die, and The Kite Runner are all stories that contain the theme of redemption, and of one’s search for his/her identity. The theme of redemption is seen in Amir’s maturation throughout The Kite Runner. Amir grows up in Afghanistan in the later 1900’s, and is brought up luxuriously and with an education by Baba, his dad. This theme is also seen in Gilgamesh’s life story as he