Themes: Flashcards
The Search For Redemption
The novel revolves around Amir’s quest for redemption, driven by his mother’s death and guilt over Hassan. He tries to win a kite-tournament and bring Baba the losing kite, sparking events like his journey to Kabul and confrontation with Assef. Baba’s moral standard for redemption is that a boy who doesn’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up.
The Love and Tension Between Fathers and Sons
Amir’s complex relationship with Baba is strained, as he struggles to feel fully loved by Baba. This leads to Amir’s unwillingness to stop Hassan’s rape. Baba feels guilty for not acknowledging Hassan as his son, making him hard on Amir. The most loving relationship is between Hassan and Sohrab, but Hassan is killed, and Amir tries to become a substitute father to Sohrab. Their relationship is straining as Sohrab struggles to open up to Amir, recovering from his parents’ loss and abuse.
The Intersection of Political Events and Private Lives
The novel follows Amir’s life through Afghanistan’s transitions, from a calm state in Kabul during the monarchy to the Soviet invasion and infighting between rival groups. The establishment of the republic allows Assef to harass Amir, forcing Baba and Amir to flee to California. The Taliban take over, murdering Hassan and allowing Assef to indulge in sadism and sexual urges without consequences. These events shape Amir’s mission to save Sohrab and his redemption, suggesting that Afghanistan will also experience redemption.
The Persistence of the Past
The novel explores the impact of the past on characters like Amir and Sohrab, with Sohrab’s traumatizing past causing him to flinch and fear abandonment. Amir, on the other hand, is defined by his past, from his birth at twelve to his final sentence. His feelings of guilt for past actions continue to motivate him, even leading to the Taliban murdering Hassan. Amir believes he set the events that led to Hassan’s death by pushing Hassan and Ali out of Baba’s house. The past cannot be buried.
Male Friendship
The Kite Runner is a novel that primarily focuses on male relationships, particularly the friendship between Amir and Hassan. Amir’s superior social status creates a power difference between them, which becomes complicated when Amir discovers Hassan is his half-brother. Amir reflects on how his jealousy corrupted his friendship with Hassan, but he sees Hassan as a loyal friend who supports Amir even when it’s dangerous. Rahim Khan, a friend to both Baba and Amir, plays a crucial role in their relationships, pushing back against questionable choices. He knows their innermost secrets, such as Baba’s sex with Ali’s wife and Amir’s rape, but he chooses to be a voice of reason and call the other characters back to goodness. Rahim Khan’s morality is evident in his phone call to Amir, offering a way to end the cycle of betrayals and secrets.
Religion
The Kite Runner explores the diverse ways characters practice Islam and how a single religion can take on different forms. Baba, a non-religious character, mocks Muslim leaders’ hypocrisy. Amir’s lack of religious upbringing allows him to overlook Soraya’s sexual history. Ali’s devout faith is depicted as honorable, and his devotion is admired. Amir’s desperation is revealed when he starts praying after Sohrab’s suicide attempt. Religious zealotry is used by other characters to justify acts of cruelty, such as Assef’s murder of Hazaras and his conversion of Sohrab into a child prostitute. Baba and Amir, who have little religious identity, grapple with past mistakes and struggle with their faith.
Racism and Ethnicity
The Kite Runner explores the diverse ways characters practice Islam and how a single religion can take on different forms. Baba, a non-religious character, mocks Muslim leaders’ hypocrisy. Amir’s lack of religious upbringing allows him to overlook Soraya’s sexual history. Ali’s devout faith is depicted as honorable, and his devotion is admired. Amir’s desperation is revealed when he starts praying after Sohrab’s suicide attempt. Religious zealotry is used by other characters to justify acts of cruelty, such as Assef’s murder of Hazaras and his conversion of Sohrab into a child prostitute. Baba and Amir, who have little religious identity, grapple with past mistakes and struggle with their faith.
