Symbols In The Kite Runner

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KITE MOTIF

Kites were first invented over two thousand years ago in China and have since spread across the world, being used for everything from surveillance to science to entertainment. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses kites and their associated activities as a recurring motif, tying the book together. Kites themselves are full of symbolism and meaning: ideas of youth and childhood, brought about by the idea of kites as a child’s toy in modern times; freedom, as kites float high above and seemingly free from earthly cares; and dreams, or hopes. The author uses all of these when involving kites. Though heavily utilized in the novel’s beginning, kites all but disappears from the story as Amir grows older, only returning with Sohrab (who represents youth more than any other character). Freedom manifests as kites offer a sense of freedom to Amir, and kites also appear as a physical manifestation of dreams, especially when being chased down. The choice of kites as a central motif helps to solidify these ideas of youth, freedom, and dreams being lost and regained by the main characters - something as central to the story as the themes of betrayal and redemption. Additionally, kite flying and kite fighting are major activities in Afghanistan. Kite flying is a popular …show more content…
Hassan is an obvious kite runner, chasing down fallen kites with extraordinary skill for Amir, and it is while he is chasing after Amir’s fallen kites and dreams that he encounters Assef. By the end of the story, however, Amir is running after kites for Sohrab, signifying his change in character and portraying him as a kite runner beyond that scene, chasing after the falling Hassan and Sohrab. He is also running after the idea of freedom, something that he can only gain through the quest of redemption that drives the

Comparison of Symbolism of Kites in the Kite Runner and Master Harold and the Boys Essay

symbolism of kites in the Kite Runner and Master Harold and the boys I am going to compare the symbolism of the kite in the play Master Harold and the boys by Athol Fugard and in the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hossseini. Firstly I will talk about the symbolism in both of the books separately. And then I will compare them to see the similarities and the differences. The kite symbol has two different meanings. In the Kite Runner the kite represents kite fighting and the blue kite that was the…

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The Kite Runner Major Character Essay

The Kite Runner: Major Character "It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” Hassan is one of the most significant characters in The Kite Runner. He is very dynamic, changing drastically throughout the novel. At the beginning of the book, Hassan is seen as a sweet, happy, young boy who is fiercely loyal to his best friend, Amir. When referring to the story of Hassan's birth Amir says, "...because even in birth, Hassan…

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Symbolism In The Kite Runner

The kite is the most significant symbol in The Kite Runner. It symbolizes happiness and a way to connect to Baba for Amir before Hassan’s rape. After that event the kite only reminds Amir of his betrayal of Hassan. The next time the kite comes up in the novel is in the final chapter and the kite no longer symbolizes Amir’s betrayal. Instead it symbolizes the way he is able to connect with Sohrab, Hassan’s…

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Kite Runner Redemption

patience, but also hard work. In Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner, a young boy named Amir betrays the people he loves many times and fights to redeem himself. Khaled Hosseini titled this novel The Kite Runner because Amir chases redemption ihvlike Hassan chases the kite. One point when this is exemplified is when Amir attempts to get Hassan to hit him with pomegranates. A second incident is when Amir feels he has to win the kite tournament to redeem himself in Baba’s eyes. A third point in…

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Circularity In The Kite Runner

grown. In stories, there are connecting pieces that intertwine the lives of the many characters involved, and the things they face bring similarities throughout the course of the book. In the novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the idea of circularity between the main characters and symbols that emerge at the beginning and the end of the story to construct a wholeness in his writing. First, the personality of Hassan at the start of the book circulated to his son, Sohrab, towards the end of…

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Essay about interpreting the kite runner

INTERPRETING THE KITE RUNNER, By Khaled Hosseini Chapter One – We are introduced the literary device of FLASH BACK in the first paragraph. We are informed that Amir’s life and responses to life has been severely affected by something that he saw in 1975. “I became what I am today at the age of twelve, …I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek.” Hosseini’s use of adjectives like “crouching” and “peeking” give this…

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Kite Runner Symbolism

The Kite Runner In literature, usually, the round characters go through a traumatic incident, which haunts them for eternity. In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Amir suffers to see his long lost brother get raped by Assef, later on knowing Assef is also his nephew’s rapist as well. Obviously, after this occasion Amir hasn’t been quite himself, he was such a young boy and not only did he have to witness that, but he has been so hard on himself since that day. Now knowing the information given…

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Irony In The Kite Runner

In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, we learn many lessons. Hosseini develops characters and engages the reader in cultural events. Amir and Hassan share many attributes, including a lip scar. Amir is constantly afraid of not living up to his father’s expectations and becomes the very person his father was afraid of. Baba provides many opportunities for Amir to learn throughout the book. Overall, the author uses irony in The Kite Runner to express character’s missteps and character’s true morals…

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Forgiveness In The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a novel in which the author, Hosseini, establishes Hassan, the servant and half-brother of Amir, as a symbol of loyalty and forgiveness. The novel is encompassed around Amir, the narrator and main character; as a child, Amir yearns for the affection from Baba, Amir’s father, and betrays Hassan due to Amir’s cowardness. Throughout Amir’s life, he betrays his close ones and regrets his actions. The Kite Runner displays symbolism of Hassan through events such as Hassan taking the…

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The Persian Carpet Character Analysis

town after her mother wrongly accused him of the theft. In my considered response, I will explain the connection found between this story, and an event in the novel, The Kite Runner. Secondly, I will explain the symbolism I found in the story. Lastly, I will write about my own personal connection to this story. In the Kite Runner, Amir, the protagonist, feels like his life would be easier if Hassan, his servant, was gone. So, in order to get rid of Hassan, Amir puts some of his money and a watch…

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