Reading Notes on The Kite Runner
Reading Notes
Themes:
Searching for Redemption
Amir feels responsible for the death of his mother, who died during child birth, at the beginning of the novel we see Amir desperately trying to redeem himself to Baba by trying to win the kite tournament.
Amir’s guilt from the incident regarding Hassan retrieving the losing kite is what causes Amir’s search for redemption.
Closer to the end of the novel Amir travels to Kabul to retrieve Sohrab from Assef’s custody this is what redeems him.
Earlier in this novel Baba said a boy who doesn’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.
As a boy Amir was unable to stand up for anyone or anything, therefore as an adult he found redemption through standing up for what is right.
Relationship of Father and Sons
Amir loves Baba very much but he often feels it is unrequited.
Amir’s desire to win Baba’s affection consequently prevents him from stopping Hassan’s rape.
Baba feels that he cannot connect with Amir, he feels that they are very different.
Baba feels guilty about being able to acknowledge Amir as his son but not Hassan.
The most loving relationship we see in the novel is between Hassan and Sohrab.
The cycle continues when Amir becomes a substitute father for Sohrab, and Sohrab has trouble opening up to Amir because of the loss of his parents, and the abuse he suffered.
Loss of Innocence
First seen through Hassan when he was raped.
Mainly seen through Sohrab because of the murder of his parents, being in an orphanage, and the abuse and violations he experienced.
Throughout the novel Sohrab has suffered the most traumatizing events.
Characters:
Amir
The guilt caused from Hassan’s rape is temporarily relieved when Amir rescues Sohrab from Assef.
Amir learns to accept the consequences he must face from his persisting past.
His guilt and his inability to have a child with Soraya prevent his complete happiness.
Sohrab becomes a solution to both problems.
Amir courageously
Themes:
Searching for Redemption
Amir feels responsible for the death of his mother, who died during child birth, at the beginning of the novel we see Amir desperately trying to redeem himself to Baba by trying to win the kite tournament.
Amir’s guilt from the incident regarding Hassan retrieving the losing kite is what causes Amir’s search for redemption.
Closer to the end of the novel Amir travels to Kabul to retrieve Sohrab from Assef’s custody this is what redeems him.
Earlier in this novel Baba said a boy who doesn’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.
As a boy Amir was unable to stand up for anyone or anything, therefore as an adult he found redemption through standing up for what is right.
Relationship of Father and Sons
Amir loves Baba very much but he often feels it is unrequited.
Amir’s desire to win Baba’s affection consequently prevents him from stopping Hassan’s rape.
Baba feels that he cannot connect with Amir, he feels that they are very different.
Baba feels guilty about being able to acknowledge Amir as his son but not Hassan.
The most loving relationship we see in the novel is between Hassan and Sohrab.
The cycle continues when Amir becomes a substitute father for Sohrab, and Sohrab has trouble opening up to Amir because of the loss of his parents, and the abuse he suffered.
Loss of Innocence
First seen through Hassan when he was raped.
Mainly seen through Sohrab because of the murder of his parents, being in an orphanage, and the abuse and violations he experienced.
Throughout the novel Sohrab has suffered the most traumatizing events.
Characters:
Amir
The guilt caused from Hassan’s rape is temporarily relieved when Amir rescues Sohrab from Assef.
Amir learns to accept the consequences he must face from his persisting past.
His guilt and his inability to have a child with Soraya prevent his complete happiness.
Sohrab becomes a solution to both problems.
Amir courageously