Preview

Imagery In The Kite Runner

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
558 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Imagery In The Kite Runner
First of all, the author introduces Hosseini and his work, The Kite Runner briefly. Moreover, the author give a brief introduction about image. In the following part, literature reviews on The Kite Runner was presented to readers, including the researches, at home and abroad. These researches mainly concentrate on the perspectives of betray and redemption, kite image narrative technique, political, religion and culture and so on. Though there are some papers make a research of the kite image, they mainly pay attention to its influence on the theme and the development of the novel, and metaphor meaning of kite image for Amir as well as Hassan, while few people concentrate on the metaphorical meanings of kite image for Afghanistan and three main characters, Amir, Hassan and Baba. Therefore, the author analyzes the meanings of the kite image for Afghanistan and three heroes. …show more content…
In general, flying kite is a recreational activity, which used to relax, while in Afghanistan, it is fighting kite not flying kite, which is a traditional custom for the Afghan people. For them, running a kite is not only fight for honor and bravery, but also pursue their cultural identity. But in essence, fighting kite is violent, which imply the unrest of Afghanistan. Therefore, with the help of the kite image, the readers can have a better understanding of the background and theme of the novel. For Baba, the kite symbolizes honor and cowardice. For Amir, the kite indicates his desire for Baba’s appreciation as well as his growth. For Hassan, the kite is a metaphor of loyalty and fetter. Therefore, the kite image also contributes to the development of the novel, and the growth of three characters. It helps the readers to make further understanding of three heroes and their

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Flying kites is a passion of both Amir and Hassan and as they win the national kite fighting championship Amirs finally wins a spot in the heart of his torn father. But after this competition the kite takes on a very different significance to the boys as Amir witnesses Hassans rape but does not step in, in the fear the perpetrators will steal his victory prize and his father will see him as a failure. Ironically Amir not standing up to the boys meant that he had become “ The boy [I] his father was afraid he would become.” Amirs actions that day and his failings to step in and save amir switched the symbolism of the Kite from victory and happiness to a sign of betrayal and guilt. Amirs guilt means that he can’t stand to be in the same house as Hassan so he frames Hassan of theft and force his father to fire him. This is the last time Amir would see Hassan. But despite all of these adversities Amir many many years later finds his redemption as the novel closes, Amir and Hassan orphan Shrobha are flying a kite, again the symvolism has done a complete turn around and the kite signifies happiness and the fact that even in the worst of circumstances redemption is attainable. Significantly the roles have also reversed as Sorbha cuts a kite Amir runs it looking back over his shoulder he…

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here.” This is the start of the tension between the two distinct social classes on pages 40-43 within the novel, The Kite Runner. The author’s purpose for placing this scene within the novel is to show the relationship held between the Hazara Tribe, and the Pashtun tribe, within Afghanistan. The scene in the book allows the reader to begin to understand the tension between the tribes, which fuels the story. Due to the research I completed on the tribes within Afghanistan, I can sharpen my knowledge and interpret the scene in the novel better. While researching, I discovered that the Hazaras have Mongol Characteristics. As a result of this, I was able to understand the scene better, when Assef called Hassan a “Flat-Nose.” The reason that Assef Called Hassan this, was to poke fun at his Mongol Characteristics, such as having a flat nose. In the same manner, Assef states, “how can you talk to him, play with him, let him touch you?” Through my research, I was able to learn that it was rare for Pashtuns to play with Hazaras. Hazaras are of a much lower class than Pashtuns, and are treated poorly. Within the scene, there are three apparent literary terms—parallel, imagery and diction. Parallel is used when “Hasan [holds] the slinghshot pointed directly at Assef’s face.” Hassan uses his slingshot in this scene, to fight Assef, and Hassan’s son uses a slingshot to hurt Assef towards the end of the book. Additionally, the author uses imagery, to show the intense tension between the boys. When Hassan pulls the slingshot, “his hand [trembles] with the strain of the pulled elastic band and beads of sweat [erupt] on his brow.” This imagery allows you to realize the amount of stress, and tension Hassan must undergo. Finally, the author uses diction, when he describes the actions of the characters, including when he states,…

    • 425 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Tjaden Literary Devices

    • 1236 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The author uses imagery in this scene to show the relationships between the…

    • 1236 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Kite Runner, written by Khalid Hosseni is a novel, which follows the life of childhood friends Amir and Hassan who grew up together in Afghanistan during the seventies. Both had very different family backgrounds; Amir is the only son of a rich and powerful businessman while, Hassan’s father is a servant in Amir’s family. Amir and Hassan spent most of their free time together despite having very different personalities. This novel is told from the first person perspective by the main character, Amir. The novel is told as a story of Amir’s past, which contributes to the theme of loyalty and betrayal in the novel as it allows the reader to understand all aspects of Amir’s life. The reader is able to read exactly…

    • 1364 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Im a writing an easy on the book The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini. I am going to explain how Hosseini use symbolism to reflect important themes or ideas in his novel. Themes of guilt and redemption feature many times in this novel. In the book The Kite Runner Hosseini Uses many symbols and themes but what I am going to talk about first is the symbols he uses.…

    • 175 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    When the average person thinks of Afghanistan, thoughts of war, danger, and suffering might arise. Through reading The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, one can look at another side of Afghanistan. The real Afghan culture shows pride in tradition, heritage, and…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Khaled Hasseini’s The Kite Runner, Amir runs from the rape of Hasen with the belief that this sacrifice of Hasen, will grant him Baba’s affection and respect. Amir in the alley way wants to take action, he wants to speak, but he “didn’t, I just watched, paralyzed”(78). He finds himself conflicted between “looking at the blue kite resting against the wall, close to the cast-iron stove; and the other, Hasen’s brown corduroy pants thrown on the heap of eroded bricks”(81). He see’s the vulnerability in Hasen’s face and “resignation in it,” he know’s that Hasen has assumed this as his faith(81). Amir also finds in Hasen’s face the look of an animal, that sees “that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose”(82). Running from the scene, Amir…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Salj Symbolism

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The beginning of the book started off with a man attempting “take off from Mercy and fly away with his [his] own wings” (Morrison 1) but is unsuccessful in doing so. Throughout the book, Milkman attempted to find a way to escape his home, but he first tries by gaining gold. When that does not work, he tries to learn more about his heritage which he later finds out that his great-grandfather flew back to Africa to escape the slavery. Finally, in the end, Milkman “surrendered to the air” (337) and flew, thus escaping the town and his old life. Alongside that, flight is a symbol of change because the characters who try to fly, fly to change their situation. Milkman’s great-grandfather changing his situation of slavery and Milkman changing his environment to a new one. Thus, this shows that even though the symbols from the two books represents different things, they both similarly use symbols to showcase…

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The inclusion of flight in a novel can be symbolic of freedom or escape for the character. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the protagonist, Amir, goes back to Afghanistan to rescue his half-brother’s son, Sohrab when the Taliban begin to take over the country. Once, Amir escapes with Sohrab to the United States, he feels himself escape from his guilt about not telling anyone about Assef raping his half-brother, Hassan, when he was a boy. The flight back home also relinquishes Amir of the guilt he has for abandoning Hassan when he and his father left for the U.S. years ago. Although, Amir isn't the only character flying away from pain. When it comes down to Sohrab, he feels like he should have never left Afghanistan despite being free…

    • 171 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Novels have to be catching to eye; a good book has to possess certain characteristics to allow the reader to be engaged in the novel and to be able to make personal connections or references to their everyday lives. Having a theme gives the novel an edge and creates a better story to read. Three key themes that are portrayed in the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini are betrayal, forgiveness and atonement.…

    • 939 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kite Runner Themes

    • 2157 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The Kite Runner is an Afghan American fiction novel written by Khaled Hosseini. In the text the story of a man, named Amir’s, past is told. In continuation, a reader of the novel may get the impression, at the beginning of the book, that Amir is just an ungrateful child that receives everything he wants, but in reality that is not the case. Throughout his journey he dealt with various hardships that inflicted drastic alterations on it. As readers explore a journey down memory lane with Amir, a magnitude of themes is presented through the challenges that Amir faces. Ultimately, the trials and tribulation that people face help mold them into who they are.…

    • 2157 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Chapter Seven, Hosseini uses a significant amount of imagery to portray the violence taking place in the alley. He uses animal imagery to depict the rivalry between Hassan and Assef and his cronies. The alley has been described as 'blind', to show that there is no end to it and Hassan is trapped, just like prey being trapped by its predator, in this case Assef. Assef is reminiscent of the head of a pack of wild animals, leading his group and being the first to pounce on the prey.…

    • 692 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The novel `The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini explores and involves many themes. One of the key themes in this novel is that of Cruelty and Violence. An obvious element within this theme is how Hosseini addresses and explains the horrendous invasion that evolves Afghanistan. It becomes a place where joy cannot be experienced separately from pain and fear.…

    • 1285 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Kite Symbolism

    • 92 Words
    • 1 Page

    Who knew that a square of paper, a wooden frame, and a strand of twine could have so much meaning hidden beneath the surface? In the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, among many layers of plot twists and character development, symbolism is an integral part of the storyline. Particularly, the symbol of the kite was one that remained prominent throughout the entire plot. The kite could be interpreted as a representation of freedom, among other ideas. For the protagonist Amir, the kite was arguably what shaped him as a…

    • 92 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Kite Runner Essay

    • 899 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Do you know that Afghanis play a game where they fight with kites? The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini describes kite fights between local Afghani kids, regardless of their social status. The main characters in this story that come from a higher socioeconomic level are Baba, a lawyer from the Pashtun tribe, and his son Amir. The main characters in this story that come from the lower socioeconomic level are Ali, a servant from the Hazara tribe, and his son Hassan who are servants to Baba and his family. The Kite Runner explores how different classes of people worked together to run things in Afghanistan.…

    • 899 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays