The Kite Runner: Themes

The Kite Runner: Themes

“He was looking at the mosque. Shah Faisal Mosque was shaped like a giant tent. Cars came and went; worshipers dressed in white streamed in and out. We sat in silence, me leaning against the tree, Sohrab next to me, knees to his chest. We listened to the call to prayer, watched the building’s hundreds of lights come on as daylight faded. The mosque sparkled like a diamond in the dark. It lit up the sky, Sohrab’s face” (p. 316-317)

Explanation: Sohrab runs away to the mosque because he feels like it offers safety in a time when he was scared. The mosque seemed to calm him down making him recall memories of his parents.

Religion

“I throw my makeshift jai-namaz, my prayer rug, on the floor and I get on my knees, lower my forehead to the ground, my tears soaking through the sheet. I bow to the west. Then I remember I haven’t prayed for over fifteen years. I have long forgotten the words. But it doesn’t matter, I will utter those few words I still remember: “ (pg. 345)

Explanation: In this scene Amir is praying for Sohrab's survival. Amir states that he hasn't prayed in fifteen years proving that although it’s not a regular thing for him, he still turns to religion in hard times believing in a God that will hear his prayers and save Sohrab.

“I know that in the end, God will forgive. He will forgive your father, me and you too. I hope you can do the same. Forgive your father if you can. Forgive me if you wish. But, most important, forgive yourself.” (pg. 302)

Explanation: Rahim Khan says this in his letter to Amir. This proves that people often find comfort knowing that God forgives them. This especially applies to Rahim because he turns to religion as a sense of comfort knowing that his end is near.

Theme Statement: Religion offers people a sense of security when they are going through hard times. People find comfort in their religion and believing there is a greater divine force in life.

“Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on that roof, proud of me at last.” (pg. 66)

Explanation: This scene in the book shows how baba is finally proud of Amir, what Amir has been waiting for his whole life. This goes back to the theme because Amir made all his decisions, like betraying Hassan, hoping he would make his father proud.

“Then I took a couple of envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, and tip-toed out. I paused before Baba’s study and listened in. He’d been in there all morning, making phone calls. He was talking to someone now regarding a shipment of rugs due to arrive next week. I went downstairs, crossed the yard, and entered Ali and Hassan’s living quarters by the loquat tree. I lifted Hassan’s mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afgani bills under it.

I waited another thirty minutes, then I knocked on Baba’s door and told him what I hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies.” (p. 104)

Explanation: This shows how it's even harder to betray those closest to you. If it were random strangers that Amir was betraying, it wouldn't be that hard. But since it is Baba and Hassan, it is extra hard for Amir.

Betrayal

Father/Son Relationships

Theme Statement: Betraying those closest to you is hard to live with and can stay with you for the rest of your life or until you make up for the betrayal. A betrayal can have an impact on several different peoples lives.

Theme Statement: The bond between a father and son is important and can influence someone's outlook on life and the decisions they make.

Throughout the story of The Kite Runner, the themes of betrayal, religion and father/son relationships are prominent.

“I had one last chance to make a decision. I final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan- the way he’d stood up for me all those times in the past- and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run.

In the end, I ran.” (p.77)

Explanation: This scene shows how a betrayal can have huge long term effects. Amir never forgives himself for this until he makes up for it by finding Sohrab many years later.

“ “Besides, I didn’t bring us here for me, did I?”

I reached across the table and put my hand on his. My student hand, clean and soft, on his laborer’s hand, grubby and calloused I though of all the trucks, train sets, and bikes he’d bought me in Kabul. Now American. One last gift for Amir” (pg. 130)

Explanation: This moment shows the father son bond well because it shows how Baba made his life decision to come to America and made sacrifices for Amir. Baba is now working hard in American so Amir can go to school and eventually have a good life, even though he isn't happy.

“ “Ali was sterile,” Rahim Khan said. Rahim Khan said

“No he wasn’t. He and Sanaubar had Hassan, didn’t they? They had Hassan--”

“No they didn’t,” Rahim Khan said.

“Yes they did!”

“No they didn’t, Amir.”

“Then who ---”

“I think you know who.”

I felt like a man sliding down a steep cliff, clutching at shrubs and tangles of brambles and coming up empty-handed.” (p. 222)

Explanation: This scene shows how one persons betrayal can affect several other people. Baba’s decision to betray Ali not only had an effect on himself, but Hassan and Amir.

“ The signs had been there for me to see all along; they came flying back at me now: Baba hiring Dr. Kumar to fix Hassan’s harelip. Baba never missing Hassan’s birthday. I remembered the day we were planting tulips, when I had asked Baba if he’d ever consider getting new servants. Hassan’s not going anywhere, he’d barked. He’s staying right here with us, where he belongs. This is his home and we’re his family. He had wept, wept, when Ali announced he and Hassan were leaving us.” (p. 225)

Explanation: This is the scene when it is revealed that Baba is Hassan's true father. Even though they don't have an open father son bond, all along they have had an unnoticed father son bond. All along Baba has cares about Hassan so much and loved him just as much as he does Amir.