Symbols In The Kite Runner

Kites signify how much guilt has overtaken Amir and how he doesn't like flying anymore after the incident that happened with Hassan.

Khaled Hosseini uses various symbols and biblical allusions in his novel, ‘The Kite Runner’ to show how each of the characters were connected to each other in more ways than one. Throughout the story the author introduces various symbols that embody biblical teachings, vampirism and the path to redemption.

As in all movies that are based on a book, the movie developers chose to add some scenes to the movie that were not from the original story. These additions were most likely aimed to substitute for the scenes removed, however this, once again, took away from the important details that really made the book what it is. On Hassan’s birthday, he was not given surgery to remove the harelip from his face; instead, Baba took him to a special kite shop and let him choose any kite that he wanted. The decision to replace the surgery with a present failed to show Baba’s appreciation for his ‘secret’ son. Although the love for kite running is clearly shown, David Benioff’s decision to have Hassan explain the concept of kite running to Amir was very unrealistic. This event goes against Hassan’s characteristics of being less intelligent and superior than Amir, and creates an allusion that Hassan had superiority and he knew more than Amir about flying kites. Hassan’s loyalty to Amir, and Amir’s superiority is shown in the quote, “Sometimes, up in those trees, I talked Hassan into firing walnuts with his slingshot at the neighbour’s one-eyed German shepherd. Hassan never wanted to, but if I asked, really asked, he wouldn't deny me. Hassan never denied me anything,” page 4. The day Hassan and Ali decided to leave because of Amir’s betrayal was a very sad moment in the book. Khaled Hosseini described the setting as a very dark day,

In addition, symbolism is shown to portray redemption at the climax of the book. Amir has rescued Hassan's son, Sohrab, from captivity in Kabul. However, a recent life of sexual abuse has rendered his emotions inert. Attending an Afghan summer celebration, Amir notices a kite-fighting tournament taking place. Purchasing a kite for him and Sohrab, they accomplish in cutting another. Looking down at Sohrab, Amir sees the vacant look in his eyes is gone. “Whistles and applause broke out. I was panting. The last time I had felt a rush like this was that day in the Winter of 1975, just after I had cut the last kite, when I spotted Baba on our rooftop, clapping, beaming. I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there” (Hosseini, 391). Thus Amir redeems himself, and thus it is shown that symbolism portrays redemption throughout the story.

The Kite Runner is a historical fiction novel written in 2003 by author Khaled Hosseini. Set in Kabul Afghanistan, we follow the footsteps of characters and the hardships and challenges they face. Hosseini utilizes multiple symbols to shape the reader’s reaction towards the teetering relationships within the novel. Symbols such as a bear, pomegranate tree and a cleft help show the importance of different relationships.

symbols such as kite flying, his mother’s death, and the characters’ facial scars, the author asks readers to question their own internal strifes and if they too have demons. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the search for redemption is symbolized, time and time again, showing that redemption is the driving force behind self­discovery. Everyone is plagued with internal strifes; however, none more that Amir. The author brings Amir and Hassan together by making them fly kites with one another every year. After Hassan’s sexual assault, Amir never flew kites again. That was until Amir saved Sohrab, Hassan’s child. Amir states just how long it has been since he had last flown kites “ I hadn’t flown a kite in a quarter century, but suddenly I was 12 again and all the old instincts came rushing back.” (Hosseini 368). By having Amir fly kites with Sohrab in the end of the novel, the author shows that dishonesty is redeemable,

Hosseni (Amir) observes, “Then a smile played on my father’s lips. He opened his arms. I put the kite down and walked into his thick hairy arms. I buried my face in the warmth of his chest and wept. Baba held me close to him, rocking me back and forth. In his arms, I forgot what I’d done. And that was good”(79). Amir finally gets accepted by his father because of winning the kite tournament.They start to have a father and son moment that he so dearly wanted from the start. Amir forgets what wrongful thing he has done because he finally has a relationship with Baba. Eventually what he has done catches up to him and can not be forgotten. Hosseni (Amir) notices, “He had the blue kite in his hands; that was the first thing I saw. [...] His chapan had mud smudges down the front and his shirt was ripped just below the collar [...] Where were you ? I looked for you, I said. Speaking those words was like chewing on a rock”(78).Amir examines the kite first before Hassan, it shows that he only really cares about what shape the kite is in. Amir is

ENG4U Ms. Davidson Sharon Shi May 20th, 2015 Sacrifice in The Kite Runner In the novel “The Kite Runner” by Khalad Hosseini, sacrifice is a major theme demonstrated through the various relationships existing between Amir and his family, also shaped by using the Islamic symbol. Thus, others’ sacrifices make Amir realize his selfness and carry a lifelong guilt towards whom have made sacrifices for him. The sacrifice of Hassan is demonstrated through the acceptance of being raped, undertake, and protect Amir’s family’s house after they leaves.

In the “The Kite Runner” there are various symbols, such as the kite which represents Amir's yearning of Baba's love and approval. That he was deprived of all his life and thinks that the kite is the only way to his father's love. This is very ironic because Baba wants a son that will stand up for himself “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.” this quote explains how Baba believes Amir is cowardly and wants a son who will stand up for himself but instead Amir takes the cowardly route. Another example of a symbol would be the pomegranate tree it represents Amir and Hassan's friendship.

Throughout the novel, the protagonist and narrator Amir receives many acts of loyalty from his brother and friend Hassan; these acts start off simple and almost meaningless to Amir, but as times get harder, Hassan’s loyalty proves strong. Hassan was very loyal and humble to those close to him and showed his devotion when he listened to everything Amir had to say and did whatever he wanted when he asked. Amir was reminding himself of the past and constantly bring him memories of Hassan and felt guilt at every moment. Amir reminded himself of the days in Afghanistan when Ali scolded Hassan for the things he had asked him to do, “But he never told on me. Never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor’s dog, was my idea” (4). These actions were created by Hassan’s surroundings as he grew up, he was taught to be a Hazara servant, but once that friendship sparked between the two boys, Hassan didn’t want to lose that, Amir was his only friend. These small acts of loyalty sparked and grew more important to Amir. A major turning point in the novel was during the kite tournament, but upon finishing the race, Hassan tells Amir, “For you a thousand times over!” (67). This statement is a constant reminder throughout the novel that Hassan will forever be with him and that he will constantly put himself in danger for him and the people he loves. The proof of his loyalty increased that very same day when Hassan found the kite in an alley, but being cornered and harassed by Assef and his friends, he chose to stay and run that kite for Amir instead of handing it over. “‘Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his

The author of The Kite Runner Amir, Assef, and Sohrab come together in a extreme conflict to show how Amir wants to be punished for not telling anyone about what happened to Hassan. Assef symbolizes the guilt that Amir had felt since the accident. That guilt had been eating at him and hurting his mental state, parallel to how Assef was hurting Amir physically in the confrontation. Sohrab represents the part of Hassan that had been hurt and abused by Assef raping him, and Amir not helping Hassan through such a difficult time. When Sohrab shot Assef with the sling shot it was as if Hassan was showing Amir that, despite all he had done, he forgave Amir and would still save him if he had the chance. This leads Amir to forgive himself, giving him

Amir narrates a cyclical story of redemption through his memory which completes the cycle by reversing his kite flying role. The guilt of his sin of watching while his friend Hassan got raped, haunts him for 20 long years. He then cringed even upon hearing Hassan's name and the guilt endures as he chooses to deal with it by avoiding it. The effect of this terrifying sin is felt gravely due to the significance of kite flying in their childhood years. In the moments of their last kite flying tournament when the kite was flying high in the sky, their friendship was at its pinnacle. Hearing Amir describe these experiences in his own voice, saddens the readers further; to add to the utmost forgiving nature of Hassan.

In the same way there are steps to making a good kite fighting kite, there are many obstacles one must face to mend the damage you’ve done after betraying a friend. Amir experiences many obstacles in his search for redemption. The symbol of the kite in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is prevalent throughout the story because it illustrates betrayal, guilt, and atonement.

At the end of the novel, the roles are swapped. Amir acts as the kite runner, whereas Sorhab (Hassan’s son who represents Hassan at this point) is the kite flyer. This could be symbolic of Amir completing his journey of redemption and him re establishing his relationship with Hassan. In particular, I feel that in chapter 7, the Blue Kite is used as a symbol of Hassan’s loyalty towards Amir. Hassan will not give up the blue kite which he ran for Amir after winning the kite tournament, even when he is faced with rape as he is afraid that giving up the kite will jeopardize his friendship with Amir. This could be seen as symbolic of the protection and dedication which Hassan shows towards Amir. The blue kite is an object which is in between Hassan and Assef in chapter seven, in the same way that in chapter five, Amir is in between Hassan and Assef. Hassan won’t let the blue kite get torn or damaged by Assef in the same way that he wouldn’t let Assef hurt Amir in chapter 5, in my opinion the blue kite is clearly a symbol of Hassan’s dedication and devotion towards Amir; he would rather endure rape than disappoint him.

Hosseini also states that Hassan’s lip symbolizes the cultural and social differences throughout the novel, and how Amir's slingshot symbolizes the loyalty, their childhood, and explains standing up for what is right. The Kite Runner is a story of about an Afghan­American boy named Amir who has flashbacks that visually depict how his life was when he was just a young boy living in Afghanistan. It was a time of injustice as he searches for a redemption of his past guilts. Hosseini shows readers how Amir matures, and how he felt about different experiences during his life back in Afghanistan. The Kite Runner employs symbolism to show the experiences and moments in Amir’s life that have meaning to him and have left an impact on his life forever. By using symbolism, Hosseini makes readers think about how much earlier experiences and moments have shaped Amir’s life in The Kite Runner.