The Kite Runner: Themes

Theme #2: Friendship

Friendship is a permanent bond between people that relies on loyalty which can be damaged but never broken.

"Twenty years earlier, I had seen some of the first war with my own eyes. Grim reminders of it were strewn along the road: burned carcasses of old Soviet tanks, overturned military trucks gone to rust, a crushed Russian jeep that had plunged over the mountainside."(243)

The other main effect of war was physical, the destruction and violence war caused took thousands of lives both in the book and in reality. This quote exemplifies some of the destruction caused by war.

"Hassan knew. He knew I'd seen everything in that alley, I'd stood there and done nothing. He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again, maybe for the last time."(105)

Friendship forms a bond between people that makes them loyal to each other in extraordinary ways, people are willing to make sacrifices for each other when necesary. This quote shows that despite Hassan knowing he had been betrayed was staying loyal to Amir, the friendship between them was hurt by Amir's betrayal but stayed strong.

"One summer day, I used one of Ali's kitchen knives to carve our names on it: "Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul" (27)

Friendship is everlasting among people, the bond formed can almost never be broken. The Kite Runner shows us this in a symbolic way, Amir carves his and Hassans' names physically which represents the friendship lasting.

" "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)

The danger of war is the aftermath or the result of it, specifically on individuals. In the Kite Runner the rule of Taliban creates a society filled with fear where no one truly is free or has any rights. This quote shows the nature of punishment without any reason.

"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)

Friends understand each other without words. The bonds between friends create a relationship where each person wants to help the other.In the Kite Runner Hassan understands Amir and always tried to please him.

Theme #3: Redemption

Redemption can always be obtained, no matter the amount of mistakes or magnitude.

" "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)

In the aftermath of war, many celebrate the end however, in reality the consequences war brings may not be realized at first but, are very severe. In the Kite Runner the Taliban ends the war however, the situation in Afghanistan only gets worse due to Talibani rule.

"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)

Theme 1: Warfare

Often times people feel as though they've disappointed someone and they let that determine their life however, this doesnt have to stay that way forever. The Kite Runner shows through Amir and Baba that people can redeem themselves.

Warfare is extremely brutal and leaves enduring impacts.

"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." (302)

Often times the biggest thing stopping people from ending their guilt, is themselves, other people will offer forgiveness but, the ones who commit the mistake need to accept themselves. The Kite Runner reminds us of this fact, as Amir had to accept his mistake and forgive himself.

"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)

Although we all make mistakes, we shouldn't live in constant guilt of one mistake, and there is a way to be redeemed. This quote shows that there is a way,for not only Amir, but everyone to be good again or make up for a past action.

The Kite Runner: Themes