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.