Symbolism in The Kite Runner
Kites
One can tell kites are central to the novel just by reading its title, "The
Kite Runner." On a plot level, the grand kite tournament of 1975 sets a
circle of betrayal and redemption into motion, around which the story
revolves. After Hassan gets raped while running his kite, Amir cannot
separate kite fighting and running from his own betrayal and cowardice.
Therefore, even after all of his injuries and trials on Sohrab's behalf, it is
the act of kite running that finally makes him feel redeemed. Beyond their
significance to the plot, kites have multiple layers of symbolism in the
story. One of these layers involves the class difference between Amir and
Hassan, which largely dictates and limits their relationship. In kite
fighting, one boy controls the kite while the other assists by feeding the
string. Just as Hassan makes Amir's breakfast, folds his clothes, and
cleans his room, so does he cater to Amir in kite tournaments. Even
though Hassan shares in the excitement of kite fighting, he does not
actually have control over the kite. Hassan may help the kite "lift-anddive," but Amir is the one who claims a victory. Hassan may catch a
cherished rival kite and hold it in his arms, but always to bring it back to
Amir, to whom it then belongs. His joy is vicarious, just like his
experience of wealth and privilege while living in Baba's household. In
order to free himself of selfishness and cowardice, Amir must go from
being merely a kite fighter-someone who seeks glory-to a kite runner,
someone who genuinely does things for others.
The activity of kite fighting is violent by nature. The kites battle and so
too do the children flying them. The string, which is covered in ground
glass, carves deep gashes into the fliers' hands as they try to cut each
other down, and once kites fall out of the sky, the kite runners retrieve
them with the same furious determination as, say, a hunting dog does a
slain bird. In its violence, kite fighting represents the conflicts that rage
Afghanistan nearly throughout the course of the novel. When Hosseini
paints us a picture of hundreds of kites trying haphazardly and with great
determination to cut each other down, he shows us also the warring
factions of Afghanistan overthrowing one another. At the same time kite
fighting is violent, the mere act of kite flying is innocent and speaks of
freedom. Amir and Hassan do not have control over the differences
between them; in fact, they are both the victims of a lie, and their
relationship would have been different had they known they were
brothers. Yet despite their differences and the symbolism of their
respective kite-fighting roles, flying kites is an activity that brings the
boys together. For a moment, they are part of a team. For many years,
Amir feels as though he and Hassan are adversaries for Baba's love. After
the rape, Hassan's very existence infuriates Amir because it reminds him
of his cowardice. Despite all this, when the boys fly kites together, they
are on the same team. They are more like brothers then than perhaps
any other time, because the activity is somewhat mutual. It allows them
to momentarily escape their differences and enjoy a shared sense of
exhilaration and freedom. The cover of The Kite Runner shows a kite
flying very high over Kabul. This image can be seen to represent Amir and
Hassan's shared sense of freedom, one that takes them away from life's
realities until the kite is grounded again.
The Pomegranate Tree
While Amir and Hassan are young and carefree and as close as a
servant and master can be, they carve their names in the tree, and it
bears fruit. Thus, the tree symbolizes their relationship. Years later,
after Hassan is dead and Amir is wracked with guilt, the tree — just
like Amir's memories — still exists but no longer bears fruit. The tree
not only symbolizes a unifying force between Amir and Hassan but also
serves as a source of division. Amir wants Hassan to hit him with the
pomegranate fruit in order to inflict a physical punishment and lessen
his guilt; instead, Hassan breaks the fruit over his own head.
The Myth of Rostrum and Sohrab
Myths and stories about legendary heroes as well as stories and
literacy in general symbolize both the similarities and differences
between the Shi'a Muslims and the Sunni Muslims. Socioeconomic
conditions may determine levels of literacy and understanding, but
they do not guarantee heroic attitudes and actions. And the heroes of
Afghan and Middle Eastern cultures are shared by those of differing
beliefs and socioeconomic conditions. The character of Rostam, who
acts dishonorably toward the king by sleeping with his daughter,
symbolizes Amir. The character of Sohrab, who does not know who his
father is, who becomes Hassan's favorite hero, and who meets an
untimely death, symbolizes Hassan.
Amir’s Scar
Amir spends most of his life trying to forget Hassan, yet only when he
gets a physical reminder of his only childhood friend is Amir able to be
at peace. The scar Amir has after being beaten by Assef symbolizes his
brotherhood with Hassan. Amir now has his own "harelip" and is
physically like his half-brother.
Slingshot
Representing two generations, the slingshot symbolizes both childhood
as well as the need to stand up for what is right. Both Hassan and
Sohrab use a slingshot to stop Assef, although Hassan only has to
threaten to use his, and Sohrab actually inflicts pain.