Analyzing Khaled Hosseini's 'Kite Runner'
Dennis Hardy
Mrs. Hardgrove
AP English 12
September 9, 2014
The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
2003
1. Analyze the title.
The Kite Runner feels like an odd title especially at the beginning of the novel when the protagonist is the kite fighter not the kite runner. As the book progresses it becomes more and more obvious that the novel is not about the protagonist but his best friend. The author chose this title to help illustrate the fact that although the novel follows the life of Amir it is really about the complex life of Hassan.
2. Analyze the time-period in which the novel was written.
Hosseini wrote this book relatively recently, especially compared to some of the other novels on the list. The novel was written while tensions between …show more content…
One of the most repeated phrases in the book perfectly exemplifies this, "for you, a thousand times over," is first uttered by Hassan who repeats it several times and again by Amir at the end of the book. This phrase is extremely simple but it is the key of friendship, and loyalty. Another simple phrase that holds deeper meaning is "there is a way to be good again." Rahim Khan says this at the end of the phone call inviting Amir back to Kabul. The words are simple but it's not that easy, after living a life of regret and sadness, Amir can finally fix what he has done wrong.
12. Analyze the author's syntax.
Most of Hosseini's syntax is simple, although it holds deeper meaning. "For you, a thousand times over" and "There is a way to be good again" both hold key points of the book, but are extremely simple to understand. Hosseini occasionally uses long drawn out cumulative sentences to stretch parts of the novel. He writes:
Sometimes, my entire childhood seems like one long lazy summer with Hassan, chasing each other between tangles of trees in my father's yard, playing hide-and-seek, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, insect torture---with our crowning achievement undeniably the time we plucked the stinger off a bee and tied a string around the poor thing to yank it back every time it took flight. (Hosseini 25-26)
Each consecutive phrase draws out the …show more content…
Amir experiences scenes of kite fighting with both Hassan and Sohrab. The phrase "there is a way to be good again" is said four times throughout the novel, emphasizing the importance of the theme of redemption in the book. Hassan's almost 'catch-phrase' is repeated at the end of the book, to show the reversal of roles, that Amir is now the loyal 'servant' to someone who may not feel the exact same way.
14. Would you recommend this novel?
The Kite Runner is a modern literary classic, that everyone should read. The novel is an easy read, and extremely hard to put down even though it can be harsh at times. Hosseini writes to keep the reader interested with unexpected plot twists that really show what life really is like. The Kite Runner also paints an amazing picture friendship, betrayal, and redemption, and explores all the emotions that make the human experience, so interesting.
15. Revelation.
The Kite Runner forces the reader to examine their own life, the mistakes they've made, the bridges burned, and how or how not they have been redeemed. We all make mistakes but for some reason the hardest thing to do, even if one knows they are wrong, is to admit to it. The Kite Runner shows that it is impossible to live a life regretting one's mistakes, not trying to fix
Mrs. Hardgrove
AP English 12
September 9, 2014
The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
2003
1. Analyze the title.
The Kite Runner feels like an odd title especially at the beginning of the novel when the protagonist is the kite fighter not the kite runner. As the book progresses it becomes more and more obvious that the novel is not about the protagonist but his best friend. The author chose this title to help illustrate the fact that although the novel follows the life of Amir it is really about the complex life of Hassan.
2. Analyze the time-period in which the novel was written.
Hosseini wrote this book relatively recently, especially compared to some of the other novels on the list. The novel was written while tensions between …show more content…
One of the most repeated phrases in the book perfectly exemplifies this, "for you, a thousand times over," is first uttered by Hassan who repeats it several times and again by Amir at the end of the book. This phrase is extremely simple but it is the key of friendship, and loyalty. Another simple phrase that holds deeper meaning is "there is a way to be good again." Rahim Khan says this at the end of the phone call inviting Amir back to Kabul. The words are simple but it's not that easy, after living a life of regret and sadness, Amir can finally fix what he has done wrong.
12. Analyze the author's syntax.
Most of Hosseini's syntax is simple, although it holds deeper meaning. "For you, a thousand times over" and "There is a way to be good again" both hold key points of the book, but are extremely simple to understand. Hosseini occasionally uses long drawn out cumulative sentences to stretch parts of the novel. He writes:
Sometimes, my entire childhood seems like one long lazy summer with Hassan, chasing each other between tangles of trees in my father's yard, playing hide-and-seek, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, insect torture---with our crowning achievement undeniably the time we plucked the stinger off a bee and tied a string around the poor thing to yank it back every time it took flight. (Hosseini 25-26)
Each consecutive phrase draws out the …show more content…
Amir experiences scenes of kite fighting with both Hassan and Sohrab. The phrase "there is a way to be good again" is said four times throughout the novel, emphasizing the importance of the theme of redemption in the book. Hassan's almost 'catch-phrase' is repeated at the end of the book, to show the reversal of roles, that Amir is now the loyal 'servant' to someone who may not feel the exact same way.
14. Would you recommend this novel?
The Kite Runner is a modern literary classic, that everyone should read. The novel is an easy read, and extremely hard to put down even though it can be harsh at times. Hosseini writes to keep the reader interested with unexpected plot twists that really show what life really is like. The Kite Runner also paints an amazing picture friendship, betrayal, and redemption, and explores all the emotions that make the human experience, so interesting.
15. Revelation.
The Kite Runner forces the reader to examine their own life, the mistakes they've made, the bridges burned, and how or how not they have been redeemed. We all make mistakes but for some reason the hardest thing to do, even if one knows they are wrong, is to admit to it. The Kite Runner shows that it is impossible to live a life regretting one's mistakes, not trying to fix