The Kite Runner Rhetorical Analysis Essay

The motif guilt is shown throughout the novel by Khaled Hosseini expressing that Amir continues to feel guilty for the way that he treated Hassan throughout their childhood. This quote was said by Amir, “I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan--the way he’d stood up for me all those times in the past--and

The expression "riddled with guilt" is a good way to describe the main character's life, Amir, in the book The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini. The Kite Runner is a story about an Afghan boy, Amir, who has many hardships throughout his life as he grows from a boy living in war-torn Afghanistan, to a successful writer living in America. Amir experiences many events that caused him to carry a great amount of guilt throughout his life. So much guilt that it even turned him into an insomniac. He needed to find a way to make amends which would allow him to forgive himself and hopefully, one day, be able to sleep soundly again.

One of this novel’s themes is the ability to redeem oneself by removing political and religious barriers and fighting for what is right, without allowing obstacles to prevent such action. In the first quotation presented, Amir redeems himself for hiding money beneath Hassan’s mattress to frame him for larceny. Years later he has “planted a fistful of crumpled money under a mattress” (pg. 254), this time it’s to provide for an impoverished household. This is Amir’s way of starting to apologize to Hassan. The subsequent quote presents Amir realizing that the only way to be released from his past is by repenting. Amir says ““I have a wife in America, a home, a career and a family”. But how could I pack up and go back home when my actions may have

I think that this quote is foreshadowing an event that happened, or is going to happen later in the book, and it haunts or will haunt Amir.

Anybody who is placed in a situation where there's no rule, no leader, no responsibility, fighting, and there’s something to be afraid of they will turn to the darkness within all of us. This is shown in Lord of the Flies, school boys are stranded on an abandoned island they kill a pig after that they hunger for slaughter, meanwhile they need protection( from the beast) so they hunt and leave gifts for the beast. In chapter nine Jack has his own tribe and the group is getting riled up meanwhile Simon is coming from the woods to tell that the beast is just a dead parachute man but the Jack's tribe kills him. When they first got on the island they would never have done this type of thing, but after time they realized they can do what they want

“He was the embodiment of every parent’s dream, a strong, tall, well-dressed and well mannered boy with talent and striking looks”- Hosseini 96

The intense feeling of inferiority was emerged in a variety occasions, which became so overwhelming it lead to betrayal. The novel basically revolved around Amir and his struggle of jealously from Hassan. Amir is constantly jealous and telling lies to obtain his desire of his father’s attention and affection. An example of Amir lying to his father to be alone with him is, “He asked me to fetch Hassan too, but I lied and told him Hassan had the runs. I wanted Baba all to myself.”

The young boy feels just as bad as Hassan does when he got raped. For example, after the rape, Amir is in a crammed room with his family and he can’t fall asleep. He whispers to himself hoping other people would hear, “I watched Hassan get raped” (Hosseini 86). This represents, as a result of how Amir finally accepts his guilt for Hassan, and want to fix his sins in the past.

Sharon Kennedy, I agree with your response because Amir was obviously clueless when Baba told him that Hassan is part of the family. Also, Amir was unaware of the fact that Hassan was really his own family, his own brother at that time. Instead, he thought Baba meant family like relationship. If Baba had revealed the truth to Amir earlier in the book, then Amir might not actually blame Hassan for stealing his watch and the money. Also, Assef and the two Pashtun boys might not really assault Hassan in the alley; Assef only raped Hassan because he was a Hazara Servant. Khaled Hosseini uses these various word choices such as diction to set the tone of the story. You explained very well by clearly describing about the passage you chose. I liked

From Amir's actions, thoughts, and attitude, I have come to the conclusion that he portrays the traits of one of a Pisces, the zodiac sign characterized for its creativity as well as its indecisiveness. Depicted as two fish swimming in contradicting directions, Pisces are often portrayed in situations of uncertainty and doubt, as they struggle to determine between two choices, two decisions, or two pathways in life. This certain aspect of a Pisces is evident in Amir as his mind persistently remains upon the scene he witnessed, reminded of his regret and decision in the alley way that has haunted his life as he stood watching, lacking the courage and will to intervene. As a result, it is stated that he often wonders what would ahve occurred

This quote symbolizes a significant change of heart for Amir. Not only does he accept the notion that Hassan was perhaps Baba’s true son, he also expresses forgiveness for his father’s deceitful actions. Amir realizes that clinging onto the imperfections of the past will not help him find peace within himself. This new perception of Hassan and Baba surprises readers, and even Amir himself. After years of many jealous attempts to win Baba’s affection from Hassan, Amir finally takes an enormous step on the road to true

Amir’s selfishness is often channeled through his guilt and sense of fear. Although Amir witnesses the tragic event that unfolds in front of his eyes, he immediately realizes that he fails to prove his loyalty to Hassan. While staring down the alley, Amir realized that he “had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he’d stood up for me all those times in the past-and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end…I ran because I was a coward” (77). By witnessing what was happening in the alley, a sense of fear rushed over Amir, ultimately leading to his decision of running away like a coward. By running away, Amir shows that he cares more about himself in this situation than he does about Hassan. He has a fear of what will happen to him if he intervenes, when

Hosseini shows that it is Amirs immense guilt that drives him to want to make things right and to earn redemption. We learn the basis Amir's guilt through his memories. It is caused by a lack of response at a time when his loyal servant and close friend Hassan is in trouble. Amir makes a conscious decision to hide in the distance and just watch, not because he was afraid. He sacrifices Hassan in order to earn his fathers attention and affection. This decision results in Hassan suffering though a traumatic experience and is the root of Amir's lasting regret.

His selfness made him not assist Hassan, and by Hassan’s loyalty it makes Amir have this guilt. Amir desires to be happy with his father, but can not overcome his shame for how he is treating Hassan. This shows how it's a bittersweet moment for Amir; he finally earns his father’s respect but is now haunted by his past with Hassan. He talks about how his relationship with Baba is now “as empty as this unkempt pool I was dangling my feet into”. The pool helps symbolize what Amir is feeling. In the summertime, a pool is a place of enjoyment and warmth, but in the winter time a pool is useless.The pool reminds Amir of warmer times, and how it should of have been fun spending time with his finally. Amir has now a vivid memory of the past on Hassan nightmare about him drowning in the lake and there was no sea monster attacking him. This makes Amir believe that Hassan “is wrong about that. There is a monster in the lake. It has grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him into the murky bottom. [Amir] is that monster” (86). Since he felt rejected by his father, he desired to gain his respect and

Throughout the novel, Amir endeavors to be approved by his father, Baba, who is admired by people in Kabul. Unfortunately, Baba believes that Amir, unlike him, is very unmanly “and [that he] never fights back. He just... drops his head ” (Hosseini 24). Since Baba wishes for a son who would stand up for himself, he can’t help but observe that Amir’s friend Hassan, as the guy who “steps in and fends the [bullies] off” (Hosseini 24) is his idea of the ideal son. Though aware of his father’s expectations, Amir is unable to change himself and instead envies Hassan and the fact that Baba treats him like his own son by“[patting]Hassan on the back. [and even putting] his arm around his shoulder [like a fatherly figure]”(Hosseini 15). Despite the manifestation of this hatred in Amir, he continues to recognize the bond that he shares with Hassan, “ brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast” (Hosseini 11) which is because both their mothers died during birth. The confusing emotions he feels for Hassan has Amir face a situation in which he acts inappropriately and allows the guilt to manifest upon him. After winning a very important kite tournament for the first time and “seeing Baba on that roof, proud of [him] at last” (Hosseini 71) Amir begins to search for Hassan who had gone to run his kite earlier. Finally, Amir finds him in a dark alley and as he “peeks around the corner” (Hosseini 75) he witnesses a sight that eradicated not only his relationship with Hassan but also Baba’s brotherly relationship with Ali, Hassan’s father. Peeking through the corner of the alley, like a bystander, he watches his one and only friend getting raped. The guilt that came upon him was for two reason; one, his lack of courage to stand up to