‘The Kite Runner’ Khaled Hosseini

Guilt & Atonement “Hassan slumps to the asphalt, his life of unrequited loyalty drifting from him like the windblown kites he used to chase” – Shows Amir’s guilt and regret that Hassan’s loyalty was never returned during his life. “For the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace… My body was broken but I was healed. Healed at last.” – Moment of catharsis. Amir was physically broken but internally healed. He had finally found his redemption.

Power and Loyalty “Hassan never denied me anything” (Page 4) Indicates the power Amir has over Hassan and also Hassan’s loyalty to Amir.

Assef “ towering over us, Assef crossed his thick arms on his chest, a savage sort of grin on his lips” Shows Assef is aggressive and intimidating “I have a vision.. Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns.. Not this flat nose.. they dirty our blood.. that is my vision” P35 - Very racial, believes in ethnic cleansing so that the country is all one race and religion

Hassan’s friendship towards Amir “Mashallah, Amir agha. Bravo!...Some day, Inshallah, you will be a great writer.” Shows how much faith Hassan has in Amir’s writing which contrasts with how little Baba has. He praises Amir, showing affection.

Theme of Guilt “my new curse: I was going to get away with it.” P75 Amir expresses his guilt but no-one hears. He realises that, at this time, there is no chance of atonement. He is condemned to live with his guilt. “That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past… the past claws its way out… I realise I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.” We understand that Amir feels unable to get away from his guilt, that it has always stayed with him and that he really feels the need to atone for what he has done. “twenty six years” emphasises the length of time during which it has affected him.

Friendship and loyalty. “Hassan never wanted to, but if I asked, really asked, he wouldn’t deny me” (pge 3, ch2) This shows how Amir abused Hassan’s friendship and took advantage of his loyalty.

Baba’s character “Tell him I’ll take a thousand of his bullets before I let this indecency take place” – Shows Baba as a very courageous and moral character. This is a strong contrast with Amir’s “array of weaknesses”. “And now, fifteen years after I’d buried him, I was learning that Baba had been a thief”.

This is an ironic revelation about Baba’s character because we learn he was not quite as moral as we had originally thought.

Redemption Amir remembers Assef’s brass knuckles: ‘’Flashing in the afternoon light… blood from my split upper lip staining the mauve carpet…’’ Ch22 P252 The symbolism of the ‘split upper lip’ links Amir to Hassan and shows Amir’s attempt at redemption.

Character of Amir “Most days I worshipped Baba with an intensity approaching religious” shows how strong Amir’s love for his father is and how he longs for his affection to be returned. “…something fascinating about teasing Hassan” shows Amir’s cruel nature towards Hassan and makes clear Amir’s power over Hassan.

Baba and Amir relationship “After all, didn’t all fathers in their secret hearts harbour a desire to kill their sons?” shows how Amir feels Baba’s deep dislike for him. “Sometimes I wished he wouldn’t do that. Wished he’d let me be the favourite.” (P45) Highlights Amir’s self-centredness, jealousy and power struggle to remain dominant in his battle to win Baba’s affections.

“Suddenly I decided to toy with him a little.” (P47) Shows Amir’s inability to make decisions that are right.

Amir ‘Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay to win Baba.’ This highlights Amir’s flawed character and his weakness of character. It also reveals him to be selfish and cowardly – his sole concern is not to help his friend, but get back to Baba so Baba will be proud of him.

Guilt ‘We’re the same you and I…you nursed with him, but you’re my twin.’ Assef says this is Amir’s dream. It shows Amir subconsciously feels more like Assef than Hassan, his own brother (due to his betrayal). It symbolises Amir’s guilt.