preview

The Kite Runner Quote Analysis Essay

Decent Essays

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner Quote Analysis “Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.”(Chapter 1, Page 1) Speaker: Amir Listener: Reader Context: It is winter time, December 2001 to be exact, and Amir is reflecting on his life, and his life shaping moment that also happened in winter of 1975. He constantly flashbacks to the moment of peeking into the alley behind the frozen creek in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the memories associated with it. Significance: After reading most of The Kite Runner, it has become clear that although this quote is literally located on the first page of the book it is very significant. By speaking these words, Amir hints or foreshadows at the drama and …show more content…

As the story progresses, the notorious alley in this quote ends up being the location where Amir’s best friend Hassan is brutally raped by Assef the bully, which displays the theme of violence. During Hassan’s rape Amir caught the group of bullies in action, but surprisingly he did not help Hassan at all. After this moment Amir’s feeling of guilt, the theme of betrayal and the characterization of Amir being a coward arises. On the other hand, looking at this quote symbolically, The season where Amir is remembers this incidence was during winter. Winter fits in perfectly to what is happening in the novel. Winter is a time of reflection, which Amir is literally doing. Animals and other living things hibernate, to grow and be able to withstand harsh living conditions, just like how Amir is trying to grow and adapt to what he has done to become a better person. Lastly, Regarding to looking at the quote through a psychoanalytical lens, Amir’s psychoanalytic defense of selective perception is blatant when he notices Hassan in the alleyway. Amir acted

Get Access