Violence in The Kite Runner

Today in AP English class I read a prompt that stated, "in great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work." 

When I thought about this for a few minutes I realized that The Kite Runner directly applies to this idea.  The first scene that came to mind was when Hassan was raped.  The author was very descriptive during this section of the book (hence I do not want to include any quotes) and I think there was a reason for the author's decision.  By including so much detail the reader will mostly likely remember this part of the book more.  This makes sense since Hassan being abused was the turning point in the novel and the rest of the story revolved around that event.  Another violent vivid scene that sticks out is when Amir fights Assef.  "My ribs snapping like the tree branches Hassan used to break to sword fight" (Hosseini 288).  It would make sense that the author would want the reader to remember this scene as well since it is when Amir comes to peace with himself.  Amir finally sticks up for Hassan by sticking up for Sohrab, Hassan's son.  Without these scenes being so violent, I don't think they would have been as memorable.

So I guess in the author's case, violence was for once the answer.

A Bittersweet Ending

I just finished The Kite Runner and in my mind it definitely lived up to all the hype.  When it comes to endings, I am a big fan of a story coming full circle.  I believe Hosseini did an excellent job with this task specifically in the last few pages.  Amir is teaching Sohrab how to fly a kite while Amir is telling his nephew about how his father was the best kite runner.  Then when Amir and Sohrab's kite cuts the other kite in the air and it starts falling through the air,  Amir asks the boy if he would like it if he ran the kite for him and Sohrab nods.  Amir replies, "for you, a thousand times over" (Hosseini 371) and then the story ends with Amir running out of sight with a smile on his face.  This quote is significant because these words are what Hassan said to Amir after they won the kite tournament together which then led to the turning point of the novel, Hassan being raped.  This ending scene brings closure to the story because Amir is finally at peace with himself.  One aspect of the ending that I wish had been more positive was Sohrab's attitude towards Amir and Soraya. Sohrab was very quiet and seemed sad during his time in America.  I understand that the experiences that he had witnessed in his life had scarred him, but I found it very depressing that he never showed any emotion toward his "saviors."  I had hoped that Sohrab would be more content with his new family in his adopted country.  

I strongly believe that this book can be considered an AP level text. The author has written a captivating novel that gives the reader many different elements to analyze and explore: for example, thematic messages, characterization, character foils, literary devices, etc. In addition, as the story unfolds, the author writes about many aspects of another world and culture that might be unfamiliar to many students and could serve as a starting point for interesting class discussions. However, someone who wants to read The Kite Runner simply for pure enjoyment would easily be able to do so and is something I strongly recommend.

The Meaning Behind the Story

I am now on page 293 of The Kite Runner and I have loved every aspect of it.  This is one of the first books in a while that I have simply not been able to put down.  Especially in these last couple of chapters where there have been many surprises and plot twists all of which tied up loose ends within the overall plot.  One event that changed the whole story line was when Amir returned to Pakistan to see Rahim Khan (a friend of Amir's father) who then told Amir that Hassan (who was killed) was Amir's own half-brother.  "How could I have been so blind" (Hosseini 224).  When I read this line, I myself starting thinking about all the signs I missed throughout the book.  For example, Baba (Amir's father) didn't miss one of Hassan's birthdays, and he paid for Hassan to have his lip defect fixed. Also, Baba tried so hard to make Hassan and his father stay and when they left, Baba cried.  With this new knowledge Amir decided, after strong encouragement from Rahim Khan, to go find Hassan's son, Sohrab, in Taliban-occupied Afghanistan.  This then led to the climax of the novel when Amir fought with Assef (the man who raped Hassan in the beginning of the novel), a Taliban leader, for the rights of Sohrab.

The fact that Hassan, Amir's half-brother now has a son and that Amir must finally fight Assef to get Sohrab, Hassan's son back, all plays significant parts in the development of the meaning of the work as a whole.  Amir coming back to Afghanistan, finding Sohrab, and fighting Assef at the end of the story all play into the theme that no one cannot escape his or her past.  But these events also illustrate the importance of the theme of selflessness, that one should not be selfish, but rather, should think about others besides oneself.  "For the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace" (Hosseini 289).  This line is important because as Amir fights Assef, he finally does something for the benefit of someone else.  This allows him to be at peace with his past because he is finally sticking up to the "bully" and has someone else's back just like Hassan had his own. Amir has finally changed.   

I see these themes displayed in literature as well as in today's society.  For example, I know people who have been abused as children and those memories still affect them every day.  Also, coincidentally, I read the book, Rule of the Bone over the summer, which was about a boy running away from his abusive childhood.  

This book has got me hooked and I cannot wait to finish!

Everyone Has Their Own Style

I am now about half way through The Kite Runner and I already know that this novel is one of the most memorable books I will ever read.  Many life lessons are taught through the character's actions throughout the story line.  It is these lessons that Hosseini uses to create his story.  For example, Amir felt guilty because he did not take any action against the bullies who abused Hassan.  It was this one event that changed the whole course of the book.  From this point forward, every significant choice that Amir made, he referenced his guilt.  This was shown when Amir and his wife were debating whether or not to adopt a child because they could not have one of their own.  Amir's reason against adoption was that he thought that not being a father was his punishment "for the things I [Amir] had done" (Hosseini 188).  I wonder if Amir will continue to let his past affect his future or will he reach a point in his life when he lets it go?

Khaled Hosseini's style of writing is very straightforward and very easy to read and comprehend.  It does not seem that he utilizes many motifs, allusions, or other devices (at least I didn't pick up on many so far).  However, one part of Hosseini's style that is unique is the way he presents the story on paper. By this I mean he includes dates on the chapters and certain uppercase words throughout the text.  The novel is told through flashbacks in the first person of Amir.  Each chapter is labeled by its number and then also sometimes by a year.  If there is a year, then it means time has passed since the last chapter.  Also, whenever the author has finished writing about a certain event or conversation, or is changing the setting within the chapters, he will begin another paragraph by capitalizing the first few words and using a different font.  These two stylistic choices by Hosseini are both helpful for the reader.

I can't wait to read about what happens next!

People Change

As I continue to read, The Kite Runner, my feelings and emotions towards the main characters are starting to change.  In the first 50 pages, Amir and Hassan were very good friends and it seemed like nothing could tear them apart.  For example, Amir is bullied because he is friends with Hassan (a Hazara), however they go about their life and continue their relationship.  For those who do not know, Hazara are an ethnic group in Afghanistan who are Shia Muslims.  "You're part of the part of the problem, Amir.  If idiots like you and your father didn't take these people in, we'd be rid of them by now" (Hosseini 41). At this point in the story I was thinking that if they could get through these challenges, like verbal abuse, they could get through anything together.  However, I was wrong. In Chapter Seven everything changes.  In this chapter, Hassan gets raped by a group of bullies, while Amir around the corner watches and reluctantly does nothing. "I could step into the 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" (Hosseini 77).  From this point on I lost all respect I had for Amir.  How could he let someone he cared for, and someone who cared for him, get abused like that and do nothing about it.  It makes no sense to me.  Also, instead of apologizing to Hassan, Amir instead purposely attempts to sabotage their relationship so he would no longer have to feel the guilt. In the end, Amir succeeds and Hassan and his father leave Amir's house after years of service.

This part of the book hit me hard.  I could not believe how selfish Amir acted.  It will be interesting to see how Amir changes as a person when he grows up and if Hassan and Amir will ever reconnect?

The Kite Runner: A History Lesson Within a Story

I am usually not one for cliche ideas or plots, however, I think The Kite Runner will be an exception.  After reading the first 20 pages, I quickly learned that this book is about a friendship between two boys, Amir and Hassan, who come from different places in society.  "Hassan and I parted ways.  I went past the rosebushes to Baba's mansion, Hassan to the mud shack where he had been born, where he'd lived his entire life" (Hosseini 6).  Hassan's father works for Amir's father as a servant which sets the stage for a strong friendship to be broken apart by Afghanistan's social structure.

No books immediately came to mind when I was given this free-choice assignment for AP English.  After looking over many lists and reading numerous synopses, The Kite Runner seemed to be a prime candidate.  At first I thought this book was going to be a fun read, but after reading the first few pages I knew this book was going to be much more.  I consider myself well informed when it comes to word cultures and world geography. However, after the first 20 pages I now know that this is not the case in regard to Afghanistan.  Hosseini references quotes from the Koran, conflicts between Shi'a and Sunni Muslims, and types of food like "kofta" and "naan," all of which I am not as informed about as I thought.  As I continue to read this book, I will definitely need to do some background research on the history of Afghanistan, which I believe has potential to be a good history lesson. 

Overall, I am very happy with my choice of  The Kite Runner and am looking forward to reading more.