The Kite Runner Symbolism Analysis
Word Count: 2080
Hosseini 's use of recurrent symbols and motifs to represent not just the personal relationships in the story, but to portray the larger scale problems in Afghanistan, has received both applaud and criticism. Through the use of these literary techniques, Hosseini illustrates the progression of characters and relationships whilst engaging our emotions with the quest for redemption and portraying the changing backdrop of Afghanistan.
Hosseini 's use of symbols and motifs in The Kite Runner is significant in illustrating the development of the characters and the plot. The predominantly male characters of The Kite Runner and the relationships between them, are the foundation pillars on which the story rests. Central to the text and precariously balanced, is the bittersweet relationship between “friends” Hassan and Amir. Hosseini cleverly uses the religiously symbolic pomegranate tree to represent this. Appearing three times in the Koran, the pomegranate in Islam is a unique, utopian fruit, symbolising fertility. Fitting, therefore that the pomegranate tree in The Kite Runner, throughout Amir 's childhood, is fertile and fruitful, “After school, Hassan and I climbed its branches and snatched its blood red pomegranates” (p.26) and was a place where they …show more content…
It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp” (p.86). Amir is desperately trying to find a way of relieving himself of his guilt. Here, Hosseini uses the pomegranate as a tool of violence and uses militaristic language to create a cruel image “Hassan was smeared in red like he 'd been shot by a firing squad” (p.86). The 'blood-red ' colour symbolising the sacrificial blood of Hassan, this is the tipping point in which we see the emotional pressure from the pretence of ignorance of the rape reach its
Hosseini 's use of recurrent symbols and motifs to represent not just the personal relationships in the story, but to portray the larger scale problems in Afghanistan, has received both applaud and criticism. Through the use of these literary techniques, Hosseini illustrates the progression of characters and relationships whilst engaging our emotions with the quest for redemption and portraying the changing backdrop of Afghanistan.
Hosseini 's use of symbols and motifs in The Kite Runner is significant in illustrating the development of the characters and the plot. The predominantly male characters of The Kite Runner and the relationships between them, are the foundation pillars on which the story rests. Central to the text and precariously balanced, is the bittersweet relationship between “friends” Hassan and Amir. Hosseini cleverly uses the religiously symbolic pomegranate tree to represent this. Appearing three times in the Koran, the pomegranate in Islam is a unique, utopian fruit, symbolising fertility. Fitting, therefore that the pomegranate tree in The Kite Runner, throughout Amir 's childhood, is fertile and fruitful, “After school, Hassan and I climbed its branches and snatched its blood red pomegranates” (p.26) and was a place where they …show more content…
It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp” (p.86). Amir is desperately trying to find a way of relieving himself of his guilt. Here, Hosseini uses the pomegranate as a tool of violence and uses militaristic language to create a cruel image “Hassan was smeared in red like he 'd been shot by a firing squad” (p.86). The 'blood-red ' colour symbolising the sacrificial blood of Hassan, this is the tipping point in which we see the emotional pressure from the pretence of ignorance of the rape reach its