1
The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini
2
Guilt Atonement

• Hassan slumps to the asphalt, his life of
  unrequited loyalty drifting from him like the
  windblown kites he used to chase Shows Amirs
  guilt and regret that Hassans loyalty was never
  returned during his life.
• For the first time since the winter of 1975, I
  felt at peace My body was broken but I was
  healed. Healed at last. Moment of catharsis.
  Amir was physically broken but internally healed.
  He had finally found his redemption.

3
Power and Loyalty

• Hassan never denied me anything
• (Page 4)
• Indicates the power Amir has over Hassan and also
  Hassans loyalty to Amir.

4
Assef

• towering over us, Assef crossed his thick arms
  on his chest, a savage sort of grin on his lips
• Shows Assef is aggressive and intimidating
• I have a vision.. Afghanistan is the land of
  Pashtuns.. Not this flat nose.. they dirty our
  blood.. that is my vision P35
• - Very racial, believes in ethnic cleansing so
  that the country is all one race and religion

5
Hassans friendship towards Amir

• Mashallah, Amir agha. Bravo!...Some day,
• Inshallah, you will be a great writer.
• Shows how much faith Hassan has in Amirs writing
  which contrasts with how little Baba has. He
  praises Amir, showing affection.

6
Theme of Guilt

• my new curse I was going to get away with it.
  P75
• Amir expresses his guilt but no-one hears. He
  realises that, at this time, there is no chance
  of atonement. He is condemned to live with his
  guilt.
• That was a long time ago, but its wrong what
  they say about the past the past claws its way
  out I realise I have been peeking into that
  deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.
• We understand that Amir feels unable to get away
  from his guilt, that it has always stayed with
  him and that he really feels the need to atone
  for what he has done. twenty six years
  emphasises the length of time during which it has
  affected him.

7
Friendship and loyalty.

• Hassan never wanted to, but if I asked, really
  asked, he wouldnt deny me (pge 3, ch2)
• This shows how Amir abused Hassans friendship
  and took advantage of his loyalty.

8
Babas character

• Tell him Ill take a thousand of his bullets
  before I let this indecency take place Shows
  Baba as a very courageous and moral character.
  This is a strong contrast with Amirs array of
  weaknesses.
• And now, fifteen years after Id buried him, I
  was learning that Baba had been a thief.

9

• This is an ironic revelation about Babas
  character because we learn he was not quite as
  moral as we had originally thought.

10
Redemption

• Amir remembers Assefs brass knuckles Flashing
  in the afternoon light blood from my split upper
  lip staining the mauve carpet Ch22 P252
• The symbolism of the split upper lip links Amir
  to Hassan and shows Amirs attempt at redemption.

11
Character of Amir

• Most days I worshipped Baba with an intensity
  approaching religious shows how strong Amirs
  love for his father is and how he longs for his
  affection to be returned.
• something fascinating about teasing Hassan
  shows Amirs cruel nature towards Hassan and
  makes clear Amirs power over Hassan.

12
Baba and Amir relationship

• After all, didnt all fathers in their secret
  hearts harbour a desire to kill their sons?
  shows how Amir feels Babas deep dislike for him.
  
• Sometimes I wished he wouldnt do that. Wished
  hed let me be the favourite. (P45)
• Highlights Amirs self-centredness, jealousy and
  power struggle to remain dominant in his battle
  to win Babas affections.

13

• Suddenly I decided to toy with him a little.
  (P47)
• Shows Amirs inability to make decisions that are
  right.

14
Amir

• Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the
  lamb I had to slay to win Baba.
• This highlights Amirs flawed character and his
  weakness of character. It also reveals him to be
  selfish and cowardly his sole concern is not to
  help his friend, but get back to Baba so Baba
  will be proud of him.

15
Guilt

• Were the same you and Iyou nursed with him,
  but youre my twin.
• Assef says this is Amirs dream. It shows Amir
  subconsciously feels more like Assef than Hassan,
  his own brother (due to his betrayal). It
  symbolises Amirs guilt.

16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)