The Kite Runner Literary Analysis

Amir makes many mistakes as a child that follow and taunt him for twenty six years. In The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseni, Amir betrays his family-friend, Hassan when and after he was raped. Amir continues this betrayal because of his insecurity about his relationship with his father. Amir eventually drives Hassan away and regrets it until he redeems himself by finally doing the right thing. Hosseni uses the literary devices of epiphany and flashback through the character of Amir to explain the jealousy and insecurity of Amir and Baba's relationship. Amir is sensitive and intelligent, but also insecure about the relationship with his father and gets jealous when other people receive more time and attention from Baba than he does. When Baba took Amir and Hassan to the store to buy a kite, Amir got angry when Baba bought one for Hassan too (Hosseni 109). Even though it was only a kite, Amir still became selfish and jealous. This shows the jealousy Amir feels when Baba gives attention to anyone but
Amir has a sudden realization, or epiphany, when he says, "I became who I am today at the age of 12." (Hosseni 17). Amir made many mistakes growing up, including lying to his father and not doing the right thing when his friend Hassan was raped. Hassan, too embarrassed and ashamed to say anything, relied on his only friend to do the right thing and tell Baba what he witnessed. Amir vividly remembers the moment Hassan was raped, and he didn't try to help. Amir has a flashback on page 18 when he tells us, "I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek." (Hosseni 18). The detail that Amir gives the reader, shows that he vividly remembers the incident. Amir's quality of friendship is shown in this situation.The flashback and epiphany of the rate both remind the audience of the wrongdoings of