Fatima 1 Nawal Fatima Ms. Service ENG3U4-E July 13th 2023 The depiction of Afghanistan in the novel The Kite Runner Kabul, a place where loyalty and betrayal go hand in hand. The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is set in Kabul during the late 1900s. It is written in first-person narrative and follows a Pashtun boy called Amir in his journey to seek redemption. The author unravels a web of personal and societal challenges against a backdrop of political instability. Through an exploration of connections and the author’s choice of diction and sentence structure, this paper will describe the depiction of Afghanistan in the illuminating novel by Khaled Hosseini. As mentioned above, the narration is done by Amir who grew up in Kabul but had to seek refuge in America due to the Taliban regime. Throughout the novel, Hosseini uses poetic language and meticulous sentence structure to properly showcase a complicated dichotomy displaying both beauty and tragedy. He first speaks of the beauty of Afghanistan with its mountainous terrain and modern infrastructure then, about the gruesome executions and dogs eating corpses in the streets. The talib said to Amir: “We left them for the dogs. Dog meat for dogs” (Hosseini 290). The Taliban killed people and left them on the streets for dogs to feast upon. The word choice the author used “dog meat for dogs” was especially effective in conveying the struggles of Hazara people (Hosseini 290). Hazaras in the past were marginalized and oppressed due to the caste system and hierarchy. After the war however, they were killed - ethnically cleansed. Fatima 2 Furthermore, the nation's desire for healing and rejuvenation parallels Amir's journey to atone for his mistakes and seek forgiveness. Afghanistan and Amir both find hope and redemption through acts of bravery and sacrifice. Afghanistan's desire for healing is shown in its people's perseverance, determination to restore their lives, and commitment to fighting for a brighter future. Similarly, Amir's path to redemption includes acts of bravery, like his return to Afghanistan to save Sohrab from the Taliban. Afghanistan and Amir are able to achieve atonement and healing through the acts of bravery and sacrifice. Speaking of hope and a better future, The kite is seen to be a symbol for freedom and the desire of mankind to live better lives. Normally, a kite symbolizes such a thing since it flies high in the sky, but in the novel, the kites are to symbolize both individuality and freedom (Study.com). Also, the last kite that Hassan ran was blue. The color blue symbolizes loyalty/devotion (Bartleby Research). I believe that was an intentional choice made by the author to show Hassan’s loyalty to Amir. Hosseini seamlessly integrates kite imagery throughout the narrative, effectively expressing the Afghan people's goals, desires, and hopes. The connection is paralleled by numerous literary works in which kites are used as a metaphor for freedom and desire, emphasizing the universality of human desire and the search for a better life. In conclusion, the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a spectacular read as it depicts the hardship of Afghan people during the war through carefully chosen diction and sentence structure. All which aids in the increased emotional impact and resonance of critical events. Not only does Hosseini invite people to reflect on universal issues such as guilt and redemption but also, uses his book as a platform to educate people on world issues. Fatima 3 Works Cited Arteno, Julia. “Kites in The Kite Runner | Symbolism, Quotes & Analysis.” Study.com, 30 November 2022, https://study.com/learn/lesson/kites-kite-runner-khaled-hosseiniquotes-analysis.html. Accessed 13 July 2023. Bartleby Research. “Color Symbolism In The Kite Runner - 1289 Words.” Bartleby.com, https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Color-Symbolism-In-The-Kite-Runner-PCXM4AKMMG. Accessed 13 July 2023. Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Doubleday Canada, 2004. Accessed 13 July 2023.
