Personal Response

             Unfamiliar of the book “The Kite Runner” I did not know what to expect reading the story. I had heard from many readers what they thought of the book and there was not one negative comment to come from it. With that I decided it was something I should potentially read. With this in mind, I am extremely happy with my novel choice. At no point in the story was it slow and boring. Myself as the reader came to an understanding of how corrupt a country can be as well as experiencing first hand the struggles on being an immigrant from your homeland. This combing created a very appealing and interesting story. The connection you feel to both of the main characters is unmatched by any other novels or stories I have read. Overall, this was a great choice for me and I recommend it to everyone! 

What the title “The Kite Runner” represents

         The title refers to the main characters Amir and Hassan and the event that will in effect change both of their lives. The kite flying in the sky refers to the kite flying competition that Amir wins with the aid of Hassan. Besides the references to these characters, the title invokes the freedom that a kite has which is made possible through control from the spool attached to the kite. The fact that the kite flying takes two people to be successful, points out that freedom is possible in the case in which people can get along together and come to an agreement. When you put that into perspective, war itself can be avoided by resolving issues typically between two sides, alike how we see that in the story through the eyes of the two main characters. If the problems are left unresolved then inhumane acts are without a doubt inevitable. Therefore naming the novel “The Kite Runner”, harmonizes all of these aspects.

Dramatic Irony

Rape in an Islamic country- In a country such as Afghanistan, rape is not recognized. The act of raping is not something Islamic countries are not interpreted in the same way North America or Europe for example sees it. More less the act of rape happens and if no one has actually proof or sees it nothing will be done. In Afghanistan is rape has taken place and a women is raped they will be stoned. In the case of the Kite Runner where two boys are involved, typically it would mean that they are both to be executed.   

Superiority- Amir constantly at the beginning of the story thinks he is “above” his friend Hassan on several occasions. Time passes and Amir comes to reality and realizes he is on the same level if not lower.

An example of this would be when Hassan was being raped and Amir did nothing to help his friend. If Amir was that manly figure that was above everyone, he would have gone right over to help his friend. Instead Amir runs off trying to forget he ever saw the event take place. The ironic part of the situation is that if it was Hassan in Amir’s position, without hesitation he would go and do the best he could to help. Hassan therefore displays the characteristics that would make him in fact ‘’higher” than Amir. 

Internal/External Conflict

           The internal conflicts revolve around Amir. Amir feels unspeakable guilt towards Hassan when he was raped. Amir also struggled to get a true sense of love from his father, as he always felt he was not a priority and felt lost and left out from his life almost. The great amount of pride and manly hood Hassan has made Amir realize that he never stands up for himself which he had difficulties coping with. When Hassan is gone, Amir feels extremely lonely because his father is not a typical father figure and since Hassan was his childhood friend that was with him through all the tough times.

As far as the external conflicts in the Kite Runner is indefinitely betrayal, and sacrifice that each character has to come face to face with physically, mentally and emotionally. Expiation is also a notable external conflict with relation to the sin that Amir and Hassan have partaken in. 

Symbolism

Kite Running

Kite Running in the story symbolizes a form of battle and competition in which you cannot loose. Kabul’s interpretation of kite flying is that it’s simply going to war. Amir and Hassan’s friendship is shown through the teamwork required to build a successful kite. The two parts of kite running which are controlling the kite and the running after the cut down kite are perfect representations of distinction between the two boys. Knowing that the kite flying is less desirable but more honorable. The running s the more ideal job but its less respected in as sense. Amir is the kite flyer in the story when Hassan is the runner. The audience that was spectating the event would scream at Amir to “cut him, cut him” insinuating that he needs to win. Amir described the screaming to be similar to Gladiators being screamed at by the Romans to “kill”. By the end of the competition the two boys are victorious. Amir has become a “man” according to his father, but not long after he has lost his manhood by not taking on the male responsibility to help a dear friend when he was in need.

The Pomegranate Tree

The tree is a direct representation of the strong bond Amir and Hassan share. Their names are carved into the tree representing something lasting a “lifetime”. When they are sitting under the tree Amir whips a pomegranate at Hassan hoping that he would fight back. Hassan does not respond in such a way in fact he smashes a pomegranate against his own forehead. It shows that he again is making a sacrifice for Amir. This basically signifies the extent of their relationship because Amir cannot comprehend the reason why Hassan always sacrifices himself for Amir. Amir’s overall guilt ends the friendship.

Book Notes #1

Setting: 


The Kite Runner is initially situated in San Francisco however the book flashes back to Kabul, Afghanistan. This is where Amir, the main character and narrator of the story grew up and this is where we learn about Amir’s childhood experiences. Throughout his experiences it’s learned that is what shaped him to be who he is today. Amir’s go way back to the 1960’s as a youth and then to where he is a teenager. Amir and his father around the 60’s is where the Soviet invasion took place thus forcing them to immigrate into the United States. In Afghanistan’s they were considered to be quite well off and with the invasion they had to leave all their possessions and starting life over in San Francisco was difficult. The time frame of the story goes through three times frames; childhood, teenage, and adulthood.

Characters:

Amir- The main character of the story but also the narrator. His age in the story bounces as the story starts when Amir is a child and we see him go through his teenage year as well as his adulthood. Amir matures quickly as he has gone through a lot of horrible and terrifying things. After he “allowed” his friend Hassan to be raped, Amir becomes very quiet and wants little to do with the outside world. On the contrary, Amir feels a sense of relentless and guilt as hes realizes allowing that specific event to take place his selfishness costs him happiness.

Hassan- A loyal and yet brother like friend to Amir. He is a servant to Baba and Amir, and he is responsible for things such as reading stories to Amir for school, getting groceries and essentially running the household. Hassan early in the story gets raped and to witness it was Amir yet he did nothing to help. Throughout that experience surprisingly Hassan remains to be a loyal friend.

Baba- The oldest male figure of the story being Amir’s father. Baba is a determined man but he also is independent which has its negative affects on Amir. Being the one to make the call to leave home was very stressful on Baba being a well respected citizen of the community and also wealthy. The move to San Francisco resulted in Baba leaving his wealthy lifestyle to a Gas station tenant. Through the life changing experiences Baba had to take his son Amir through, the relationship between them became much stronger.

Conflicts (Initial) - The Kite Runner has several conflicts throughout. The main external conflict in the story is betrayal, and sacrifice. Each character must come face to face with the conflict physically, mentally, and emotionally. Amir’s point of betrayal was when Hassan needed him the most and he just sat back in shock not knowing what to do. This was the point in which Hassan was getting raped and Amir didn’t want to get hurt therefore he decided to observe the torture taking place rather then trying to help it. Amir’s father Baba also betrayed his closest friend as a child Ali, when he slept with his wife.

Theme:

Guilt- Amir feels an extreme level of guilt towards Hassan. During the time Hassan was being raped rather then Amir trying to help Hassan he stay back a distance and simply views the inhumane act taking place. During that point in the story Amir tells us how he wants to help his friend but he does not want to get hurt. In this case wouldn’t you do anything you could? Hassan is a best friend to Amir…

Lying- Baba has fallen under the theme of lying because of what he hides from Hassan and Amir. Amir grows up believing that the servant in the house and best friend of his is just someone Baba hired. When in actuality, Hassan is Amir’s half brother. However, Baba fails to mention the fact.

Honor- Baba’s secret that is hidden from Amir and Hassan about them being half brothers. Baba knows that they are related but does not want anyone to know this because he is afraid of what people will think of him. Society might think less of him because it is suggesting that a couple has possibly not been faithful to each other and/or Baba had a child with another woman. This is a significant issue back in the 60’s as well as now and it is quite possible his reputation could slide.

Active Reading:

Kites flying (metaphor) – Kite flying is an activity in which the opponents objective is to eliminate the other player and take out the kites in the sky. The war in Afghanistan during that time period can be metaphorically seen because kite flying involves a common purpose and conflict as well as the war.

Personal Analysis- Personally I find the story to be quite interesting and I like the way it is written. Initially It starts with the main characters being situated in San Francisco after the emigration from Afghanistan. Soon after the story has a flashback to their life in their homeland. I certainly find this is an effective way to keep the reader interested because you are always wondering how everything ties together. The story has its dull points but it seems that there is always something like a “twist” that keeps my interest to read the next chapter. Without a doubt if someone was to ask if I recommend reading this novel I would say that it would be an excellent choice.   

Critical Article Summaries

Article:

“Kite Catches and Flies High”

Jim Bartley, “Kite Catches and Flies High.” Globe & Mail (Toronto) (28 June 2003)

Document URL:

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Summary :

            The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini has such expression in his dialect. At the beginning it becomes apparent that the theme of love for one another is present.  From living the dream in San Francisco, California to the nightmare in Kabul, Afghanistan, the reader is fulfilled with a sense of tenderness and terror. The summative portion of the story does not achieve the same degree of emotional experience between childhood friends that is given by comprehending the full story. Characters Amir and Hassan from the start have been affecting largely by the worlds divisions. The story of Amir’s tragic childhood in two continents for more than two decades has the ability to allow the story to be suspenseful and gripping.

Article:

Noor, Ronny. “Khaled Hosseini. The Kite Runner.  World Literature Today

Document URL:

http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=IPS&docId=A122924631&source=gale&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=ko_k12hs_d21&version=1.0

Summary:

     The Kite Runner Creates a vivid picture of the alliance of the Taliban as well as the Russian enormity. The novel is a story filled with redemption and sins as the son is trying to redeem his father’s sin. Afghanistan’s conflict is only daintily brushes upon as the reader only really acquires a very simplistic vision and simple picture of it. Khaled fails to mention several of the organizations that are involved in the Afghan conflict specifically because it is not a main focus but simply as a backdrop for the story. Khaled also utters that the present leader of Afganistan, Hamid Karzai, will get Afhanistan back on its “feet” to say. Unfortunately this is not the case for Hamid as his power does not come across as very threatening as farmers are producing significantly larger quantities of opium the ever before for survival. Also it is spoken that the occupying forces, according to human-rights groups, that the leader is routinely violating and injuring innocent Afghans. This theme of conflict is quite noticeable as it is depicted throughout the story.

Article:

“An Old, Familiar Face: Writer Khaled Hosseini, Lifting the Veil on Afghanistan” Washington Post May 28, 2007

Document URL:

http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/GLD/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&o=DataType&n=10&l=d&c=3&locID=stc23378&secondary=false&u=CLC&t=KW&s=3&NA=Khaled+Hosseini

Summary:

Khaled Hosseini and The Kite Runner were considered to be underrated. When the critic chose the title “Lifting the veil on Afghanistan” it is referring to the author’s personal experiences and events in his life which were at one time hidden or not shown. Khaled during the time he was writing this story he was thinking that he would potentially not publish or finish the story because at the present time Afghanistan was seen as a fearful and remorseful country. This was also around the time of the 911 attack involving the Twin Towers in New York. His wife in fact was the one who convinced him to continue to write the story. The continuance of this story was a risky battle because of the relation with Afghanis and the actions of some individuals from their home country.  The end result of Khaled Hosseini’s novel was that it sold over 4 millions copies world-wide and being published in 34 countries. Khaled made mention saying, “there were days when I couldn't pay people to read that novel." However this is no longer the case anymore because this story is a known success.