The Kite Runner Project: Themes

The Kite Runner Project: Themes

Theme #3: Redemption

Theme 1 : Warfare

Theme #2: Friendship

The Kite Runner constantly emphasizes the theme that there is almost always an opportunity for redemption no matter how cruel or harmful an action is that was committed.

Throughout the book, war is depicted as gruesome and brutal. We also experience a constant military war in Afghanistan that is directly associated with horror and a loss of innocence, there is never a moment where war doesn't have a consequence.

"America was different. America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far. Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins." (136)

" "Yes, Father," Hassan would mumble, looking down at his feet. But he never told on me. Never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor's dog, was always my idea." (4)

" "The war is over, Hassan," I said. "There's going to be peace, Inshallah, and happiness and calm. No more rockets, no more killings, no more funerals!" But he just turned off the radio and asked if he could get me anything before he went to bed. A few weeks later, the Taliban banned kite fighting. And two years later, in 1998, they massacred the Hazaras in Mazar-i-Sharif." (213)

Amir felt sinful and regretful for many years in his life after experiencing the rape of Hassan by Assef. Amir felt as if he could forget about that, along with his other poor memories Kabul, in America and start a new life. Although Amir wasn't redeemed yet, he was able to forget about his troubles but they would eventually come back.

Hassan's and Amir's friendship was revealed early in the book in which Hassan lied to Baba about the actions he committed and took the blame even though Amir told him to in order to protect him. He was willing to be punished on behalf of Amir which proved his loyalty. His loyalty eventually influences his development and decisions later on in the story

Rahim Khan reassured Hassan the all the fighting in Afghanistan would be over after the Taliban put an end to daily fighting in 1996. But soon after, the Taliban had proven to be even more atrocious than the Shorawi. This helps show that any type of war or conflict ended up with major consequences and was extremely gruesome.

"Come. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan has said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost an afterthought. A way to be good again." (192)

"I was the one who went to school, the one who could read, write I was the smart one. Hassan couldn't read a first grade textbook but he'd read me plenty. That was a little unsettling, but also sort of comfortable to have someone who always knew what you needed." (62)

"Alas the Afghanistan of our youth is long dead. Kindness is gone from the land and you cannot escape the killings. Always the killings. In Kabul, fear is everywhere, in the streets, in the stadium, in the markets, it is a part of our lives here, Amir agha. The savages who rule our watan don't care about human decency." (216)

Rahim Khan knew that Amir watched Hassan be attacked and raped by Assef and told him he could be forgiven. Amir needed redemption for not helping Hassan and he knew it which is why he agreed to save Sohrab, Hassan's son.

Hassan had no education and was a servant to Amir yet Hassan knew Amir on a very personal basis. This was because of how strong their friend ship was. Although Amir couldn't understand why Hassan knew him well, he was happy that he did since they were friends. This showed the close bond they had with each other

"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 year old live, seeing Baba on that roof. proud of me at last." (66)

" "How can you call him your 'friend'?" But he's not my friend! I had almost blurted. He's my servant! Had I really thought that? Of course i hadn't. I hadn't. I treated Hassan well, just like a friend, better even, more like a brother." (41)

" "Nay, It's worse. Much worse," he said. "They don't let you be human." He pointed to a scar above his right eye cutting a crooked path through his bushy eyebrow." (198)

Hassan wrote this message to Amir in a letter that was passed to Amir by Rahim Khan. He explained the horrors of the Taliban and how they have ruined Afghanistan as compared to Afghanistan in their childhood. He also says that warfare has become a part of the people's lives which reveals how common conflicts were in Afghanistan.

Amir believed that Baba hated him for killing his mother and had always wanted Baba to be proud of him. Once he won the kite tournament, Baba revealed his appreciation for Amir which gave Amir a sense of redemption.

Assef criticized Amir for calling Hassan his friend and Amir almost denied that but he knew that Hassan was truly his friend. Amir refused to agree with Assef by saying that Hassan was only his servant and not a friend because that would have been a lie. This event proved that Amir sincerely cared for and would stand up for Hassan even though Assef was threatening him.

Rahim Khan was living in Kabul during the time of the Taliban rule and explained their cruelty to Amir. He stated that the Taliban had proven to be detrimental and neglected proper treatment and human rights for the people of Kabul. This illustrates how horrific life was after war and how violence continued