The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
I have recently studied a novel of devestating yet inspiring events by skilled writer Khaled Hosseini. The equilibrium is established clearly at the start of the novel where we are introduced to Amir, the narrator and also the protagonist. It is established through the techinique of foreshadowing, presenting the idea that there is a major event to follow, therefore following the usual conventional narrative structure. The setting takes place in Afghanistan, and also changes to the United States, turning the setting from safe and secure to more hostile and darkened. The story is told in first person narrative by Amir, an afghan boy. We soon learn of Hassan, known of as the ‘Hazara boy’, who is considered a slave compared to Amirs religion. The conflict arises and tension starts to build when Amir soon learns of Hassans’ love and loyalty to him, and finds it pitiful that Hassan is willing to do anything for him, despite how badly amir treats him. Although, Hassan believes Amir to be his best friend, Amir is proven shameful when he allows a bully to rape Hassan after his winning of the kite tournament, therefore betraying Hassans frienship by running away. The disruption takes place when Amir leaves Afghanistan to travel to America with his father, leaving the war and running away from his guilt to Hassan. Tension continues to build up as Amir is unable to forget his guilt, and when news of Hassans tragic death in Afghanistan , he decides to return to his hometown of remorse and sadness to rescue a young Hazara boy by the name of Sohrab- Hassans son from the clutches of the same bully who raped Hassan all those years ago. The equilibrium is then restored and the conflict between Hassan and Amir is resolved when Amir successfully returns to America with Sohrab. Starting a safe and fresh life that Hassan never had and finally redeeming himself and ridding himself of his guilt. I am going to look closely at the effective technique on of symbolism and how it contributes to the powerful presentation of the them of redemption.
Khaled Hosseini uses the setting of the novel firstly to bring out the symbolic geography. Hosseini portrays the contrast between life in Kabul and life in America. A journey which illustrates the changes that have taken place since the departure of the protagonist Amir, to his returning to succeed in his path to redemption. At first the image of Kabul is perceived as happy children playing along in their normal childhood, “annoy their neighbours” , suggesting the normal stereotype of reckless and rebellious children. The story is told in retrospect as the story is