The Kite Runner

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Redemption relates to the theme, as it shows in a way how the characters felt they were their own enemy. Amir wants redemption for what happened in 1975, and until that sense of relief he feels he is the enemy. Regret also is shown within the characters. Amir promises Sohrab a life in America, then he does not fulfill it, leading to Sohrab hurting himself. He feel is the enemy in all causes and he is the issue.

Regret: “I won’t ever let that happen to you. I promise that. I cupped his hands in both of mine. Come home with me” (340)

Redemption: “My body was broken-just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later- but I felt healed.” (303)

These styles both added to the depth of the story. The imagery helped the reader imagine what it must have been like in that situation. The repetition enforcing the feelings. I think these both enhance the theme as it gives us a better understanding and sense of depth.

Imagery: “When it was all over, when the bloodied corpses had been unceremoniously tossed into the backs of red pickup trucks- seperate ones-a few men with shovels hurriedly filled the holes.” (285)

Repetition: “Sohrab was screaming.” (302)

Both of these actions show how the characters can be seen as their own enemy. Sohrab felt he was at a lost, that he had nothing else. He understood Hazara discrimination too, prompting him to take his own life. Assef saw himself as the enemy too, as he was literally. Everybody feared him, but what feared him was weakness. He tried his best to get away from his feelings.

Every character in this novel faces this theme at one point. In each of these 3 characters, we see how they struggle to see themselves as the enemy for a long time. Amir perceieved himself with less worth, trying to fit his fathers standard. Soraya and her rebellious acts coming back to face her, and Sohrab and the pain that has been infliced on him (losing Ali, the Taliban, him hurting Assef - thinking he has sinned)

Sohrab attempting suicide [Amir’s POV] : “ Suddenly I was on my knees. Screaming through my clenched teeth. Screaming until I thought my throat would rip and my chest explode.” (361)

Assef is the Taliban: “I’ve been wondering,the talib said, his bloodshot eyes peering me over Sohrab’s shoulder. Whatever happened to old babalu, anyway?” (294)

Amir: “I see now that Baba was wrong, there is a God, there always has been.” (364)

Sohrab: “One time, when I was really little, I climbed a tree and ate these green, sour apples. My stomach swelled and became hard like a drum,it hurt a lot. Mother said that if I’d just waited for the apples to ripen, I wouldn’t have become sick. So now, whenever I really want something, I try to remember what she said about the apples.” (357)

Soraya: “I heard her blowing her nose.’I know this much: You have to bring him home. I want you to.” (342)

Going back to his childhood home, he realizes this is his worst enemy, himself. He see's how he grew up and what went wrong.

Amir’s childhood home isn’t recognizable when he goes back home to find Sohrab.

“Farid eased the Land Cruiser up. The driveway of a big house in Wazir Akbar Khan. He parked in the shadows of willow trees that spilled over the walls of the compound located on street 15, Sarek-e-Mehmana, street of the guests." (286)

By: Jasmeen Plaha

Ideas/themes

Style

Action

Character

Setting

You are your own worst enemy

How do these elements relate back to the theme?