Essay Topic

Throughout my journey learning about Amir and his life choices I have narrowed down a few topics that have interested me that I could write my essay about. I believe personally that this story is mainly focused around Amir's search for redemption for what he had done to Hassan. I believe that this search for being redeemed has negatively affected Amir in many different ways. He has become worn out emotionally, he has been beaten physically and his philosophies have completely changed morally.

Amir has become more emotionally aware throughout his journey. After returning to Kabul he finally understands what he has done to the Hazara. The Hazara have basically been enslaved by the the Pashtun because of the their race. Amir notices around him that the city he used to live in was completely torn down and ruined. The biggest hit that Amir took was the old street that he used to run down and play into had turned into as he said  "Jadeh Maywand had turned into a giant sand castle. The buildings that hadn't entirely collapsed barely stood, with caved in roofs and walls pierced with rockets shells. Entire blocks had been obliterated to rubble. I saw a bullet-pocked sign half buried at an angle in a heap of debris. It read DRINK COCA CO––. I saw children playing in the ruins of a windowless building amid jagged stumps of brick and stone. Bicycle riders and mule-drawn carts swerved around kids, stray dogs, and piles of debris. A haze of dust hovered over the city and, across the river, a single plume of smoke rose to the sky. (258)" I believe that this quotation represents how Amir's emotions have truly been developing. Amir has relived his past and unforgettably this has completely ruined his view on Kabul. This scene relates to nostalgia in real life, for example I used to go this public school, and now every time that I visit I feel like it is getting worse and worse. It may not be, but I believe this is what Amir is facing. I believe that this symbolizes that Amir's life in Kabul may not have been as good as he believed it was. The emotional state of Amir may be a good topic for my essay because it relates to a lot of back and fourth between his past and present.

Amir has also become more physically beaten due to his search for redemption. After trying to save Soh'rab from Assef (the former bully) Amir becomes extremely weak and beaten up. But this does not slow down Amir on his journey for redemption. Amir ended up saving Soh'rabs' life from the prison Asseff put him in. Despite being beaten up Amir feels pride in what he did for the first time in his life. He said "My body was broken just how badly I wouldn't find out until later but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed."(268). This quotation showed how Amir really had changed, It didn't matter if he was beaten up or not. He had fixed his emotional state through physical pain. I can relate to this because I have been beaten up for standing up for a friend, despite the physical pain I felt good inside for standing up for what I believed in.  I believe the author placed this quotation in the story in order for the reader to understand how badly Amir wanted this. Nothing was about to get in his way. This would be a good point for a thesis because it shows the passion that Amir had for redeeming himself.

Finally, Amir's moralities had completely changed from the beginning of the story to the end. At the start of the book Amir was caught saying things such as "I actually aspired to cowardice, because the alternative, the real reason I was running, was that Assef was right: Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba"(78). This quotation showed how much Amir had cared about Hassan. He believed that it was okay to leave Hassan there to be raped just for his own benefit. Fortunately  the search for redemption changed this about Amir as he was later told that "There's a way to be good again"(238). This quotation completely sparked Amir enthusiasm  He was prepared to make up for the way he had treated Hassan before. In stead of allowing Hassan to take the blame and pain for something that he wanted, he was going to put himself through pain and suffering for something Hassan wanted. This would be an excellent point in an essay because it really contrasts view points of Hassan throughout his journey. It puts real emphasis on what he has accomplished by the end of the story.

In conclusion, I believe that a great topic for my thesis would be the search for redemption, and the three main points may consist of Amir's Emotional, Physical and Moral struggles in order for him to redeem himself for what he did to Hassan.

Symbolism and Theme

Throughout reading this story I have noticed a few scenes that relate to symbolism and theme. These themes effectively display how the story "The Kite Runner" is indulging more and more into the dark theme of the story. What is happening during this segment of the book is that Rahim Kahn (Amir's former mentor) calls Amir and tells him to come meet him in Pakistan. Amir is overwhelmed and completely confused as to why Rahim wishes to see him after such a long time. Amir is still in regret for what he did to Hassan in the earlier years and believes that Rahim Kahn may have an opportunity for him that would allow Amir to make up for it. Under this assumption, Amir leaves to Pakistan without telling his wife or kids a thing. Upon arrival Amir meets up with Rahim Kahn. Kahn explains that Hassan had unfortunately died, Amir blames this on himself because Amir decided not to bring Hassan with him, and Hassan died at the house Amir left him at. Much to Amir's surprise he finds out that Hassan was actually his brother, they shared the same father. This was a huge realization for him as he now understands that Hassan wasn't below him. Hassan was the same as him. Amir found out that Hassan had a child, and this child had survived the unfortunate fate the bestowed upon Hassan and his wife. Amir was ready to go on a journey.

This story has displayed many themes very accurately as far. The most present theme during this section was the theme of the search of redemption. Amir was faced with the opportunity to make up for ruining Hassan's life and essentially killing him by being able to save the life of his son. As Rahim Kahn said "A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer."(301). This quote shows theme directly as it states that Amir's conscience will eat him alive until he is able to make up for what he did to Hassan. It also states that since Amir is hurting he has goodness in him, and eventually this goodness will lead him to redemption for what he has done. Through this section questions have come to mind, what will be enough for Amir? Will it be enough that he saves Hassan's child or will he still blame himself for the death of him? Will Amir ever begin to think that it wasn't entirely his fault or even if his father will ever love him?

Also, as this story develops more Symbolism has become apparent. For example, the Kite's used to symbolism freedom and justice and all that was good about their childhood. Unfortunately now when Amir sees a kite it reminds him of the terror and horror that was forced upon Hassan just to get the "winning" kite. When Amir eventually found Hassan's child he got in a fight with the old bully Assef (who was now Hassan's child's slave master) he was quoted in saying "My body was broken—just how badly I wouldn't find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed."(289). This quotation showed how even though Amir was broken done from being beat up, he felt healed because he finally saved Sohrab (Hassan's boy). This symbolised peace and serenity; even though he was beat up he was still happy, he was happy that he finally could redeem himself for ruining Hassan's life. Or could he? Was this enough for him? Amir was a happy person momentarily, but as he developed further would he become sad once again because he didn't save Hassan? These questions were still unanswered at the end of the chapter.

In conclusion, I believe that the Kite Runner has started to develope Theme and Symbolism in a more contrast manner throughout this segment of the story. I believe that it will eventually build Amir into a stronger person and he will persist into beating through his emotional chains.

Language and Imagery

As I am diving deeper into the plot lines and indulging story I have been finding more and more imagery and have noticed a very intelligent form of expression through language. Author Khaled Hosseini adds a lot of flavor to the story line as he carefully places tragedy and jealousy in order for the reader to feel and grasp the story more clearly. 

First of all, Khaled Hosseini uses imagery and expression in order to show tragedy when Amir let Hassan be sexually assaulted by the local bully Assef.. Amir allowed this to happen because he was a selfish person. The reason that Hassan was raped by Assef was because he was kite running for Amir at the tournament. Amir had finally cut the last kite to win the contest and all that had to happen was for Hassan to run and go catch it. When Hassan finally made it to the kite , the local bully Assef and his friends demanded the kite from him or else there was going to be some sort of punishment. Hassan refused to give Assef the kite because he knew how much it meant to Amir, and unforgettably his punishment was rape. Little did Hassan know, Amir watched this entire event unravel. Amir watched Assef and his friends gang around saying "Your father won't find out," Assef said. "And there's nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey.""I don't know," Wali muttered. "Suit yourself," Assef said. He turned to Kamal. "What about you?" "I... well..." "It's just a Hazara," Assef said. But Kamal kept looking away. "Fine," Assef snapped. "All I want you weaklings to do is hold him down. Can you manage that?" And didn't do a single thing about it. Amir didn't do anything about it for one reason only, he was looking for the compassion of his father. This symbolizes how desperate Amir is becoming to gain the attention of his father. He gave away Hassan's freedom in order to gain a kite to impress Baba. I believe that the author put this quotation in the story in order to show the reader that Amir has made a terrible mistake for not intervening. This image will haunt Amir for the rest of his life, why did he let Hassan do this for him? why was he such a coward. This completely contrasts the scene where Hassan saved Amir "I turned and came face to face with Hassan's slingshot. Hassan had pulled the wide elastic band all the way back. In the cup was a rock the size of a walnut. Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly at Assef's face. His hand trembled with the strain of the pulled elastic band and beads of sweat had erupted on his brow."(34) I predict that Amir will soon learn to hate himself for letting this happen to Hassan, he will realize that his father's compassion isn't worth what he has done.

Next, Khaled Hosseni used imagery and expression to enhance the jealousy that Amir has to everyone that has a close relationship with Baba. Amir for years has blamed himself for the death of his mother. Amir believes that Baba also blames him for her death. Throughout his entire life, Amir has been vigorously jealous of those that could maintain a close relationship with his father. Amir said "Hassan and I fed from the same breasts. We took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words. Mine was Baba. His was Amir. My name." about Hassan. This quotation shows how afraid Amir was to lose his father's admiration to some Hazara boy who was supposed to be of lower class to him. The author put this quotation in the story to indulge the reader into Amir's mind, the author wanted the reader to imagine what it must be like to be unloved by a family member. This incident creates emotional response as it provokes the reader to try and connect themselves into Amir's position. I wonder if this idea in Amir's mind will drive him crazy, how is he supposed to achieve such high goals for himself? How will Amir ever make up killing his mother to himself?
Finally, in conclusion Khaled Hosseini uses imagery and symbolism to enhance the story of jealousy and tragedy. I wonder where this roller coaster ride of Amir's life will end, will he make up for what has happened to Hassan?

First Impressions

“I never thought of Hassan and me as friends either…Never mind that we spent entire winters flying kites… History isn't easy to overcome. Neither is religion. In the end I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara.” (25) Spoke the main character of the novel "The Kite Runner" named Amir. He was speaking about his best friend Hassan. Questions rushed through my head; why does Amir not think of Hassan as his brother? What did Hassan do to be treated as the "lesser" culture between the Pashtun and the Hazara?

To start off, Hassan and Amir were the best of friends. They would go on adventures, climb trees and sometimes Amir would even read Hassan a book. The boys were raised as brother together by Amir's father Baba after the death of Hassan's father. Baba has been treating them as equals throughout their lives. Hassan unlike Baba or Amir, was a Hazara. Unfortunately, the Hazara were treated like slaves to the Pashtuns. In fact, Hassan's very own father was Baba's servant himself. This feel of inequality really started to have an affect of the way that Hassan thinks of himself as a person. Hassan began to treat himself like a slave. A slave to the way that society viewed upon him and his people. Throughout the story it is become more clear that Amir believes that Hassan and the Hazara's are the lesser race of Kabul, despite how Amir was raised. This reminds me of the Rwandan Genocide in a way. The Genocide was caused due to the discrimination against the Tutsi's during this time period. This leaves me to believe that something similar to a genocide may happen to the Hazara in this story. I believe that the author put this into the story in order to show the reader's how tough it must be to be a Hazara living in a culture that does not want to accept you. 

Besides that, Amir also has his own problems. When Amir was born his mother unfortunately died during child birth. Amir believes that his father blames this on him. This causes Amir to constantly struggle for the attention of Baba. At one point in the third chapter Hassan was given admiration by Baba, this angered Amir into saying “It’s an unusual present I know, Baba said… Hassan hadn't done anything to earn Baba’s affection” (46). Why was Baba's affection so important to Amir, why would it matter is Hassan had more affection then Amir?  Baba even said at one point states that he enjoys soccer, Amir quickly to retaliate admits that he also likes soccer. This was a lie, Amir's real hobbies include reading and writing but he is too afraid that Baba will see this as not very "manly" pursuits.  I believe that this is hinting at how Amir will do something very drastic in order to gain the respect of Baba. This seems to be Amir's main focus during these early chapters and it wouldn't surprise me if it closely relates to the incident that happened in my life where I throughout the years attempted to impress my Grandpa in order to gain his respect. I eventually found out that he did respect me despite how I acted, and I believe that Amir will eventually find this out for himself. 

In conclusion, during the beginning of the book I am left with very many questions and assumptions of what is about to come. I believe that something terrible may happen to the Hazara's due to the way that they are treated in Kabul, I believe that Amir will do something very drastic in order to gain his Father's admiration and I believe overall that Amir will eventually find himself through some realization. I assume that this realization will in turn help Hassan and the Pashtun (maybe a rebellion).