Essay Outline Example (Level 4+)
The Kite Runner
Sample
ENG 4U
Thesis:
In his novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the symbols of
the pomegranate tree, kites and the sling shot to convey the themes
of loss and redemption.
Introduction:
Hook
(quote)
Intro. of
main idea
Intro of the
book and
bkgrnd
Link book
to thesis
idea
Thesis
“Redemption is something you have to fight for in a very personal,
down-dirty way” (Whedon, “goodreads”). So says Josh Whedon, author
and creator of the popular television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is
true that everyone makes mistakes in life. Some make errors in
judgement that hurt others dreadfully and the effects of which last a
lifetime. Making mistakes is part of the human condition and making
things right can also be a costly endeavour. The idea of redemption has
been explored by many writers from Shakespeare to contemporary
poets like Bono of U2. Popular author Khaled Hosseini delves into the
down-dirty fight for personal redemption in his best selling book The
Kite Runner. In this novel, two young Afghani boys enjoy a blissful
childhood friendship that is rudely disrupted by abuse, war and
cowardice. The protagonist, Amir fails to rescue his friend Hassan from
a terrible atrocity and follows this up with betrayal and lies. He is
wracked with shame and guilt that he carries throughout his lifetime.
Hosseini’s novel is a best seller because it is a great story but also
because it has compelling narrative structure. Hosseini uses objects
common to Afghani culture to reinforce his thematic thrust. Each of
these symbols is soaked with meaning and significance. The images of
the pomegranate tree, kites and a sling shot all work to reinforce his key
themes of loss and redemption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Works Cited
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead Books, 2003. Print.
Whedon, Josh. Goodreads, Inc. “Quotes about Redemption.” n.p. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REFERENCING MLA STYLE
“Hey you!” (Hosseini 56). OR “Please go” (56).
BP #2 Pomegranate Tree
Outline Example
Topic Sentence:
Before the arrival of the Taliban, pomegranate trees dotted the Afghanistan landscape as an image of
beauty and a common source of food. In The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini expands the vision of
the p. tree to represent both the fruit of life giving friendship and his key theme of the loss.
The pomegranate tree comes to represent Amir’s loss: the loss of friendship, the loss of
integrity and innocence and the loss life.
Quote #1
“There was a pomegranate tree near the entrance to the cemetery. One summer day, I used one of
Ali’s kitchen knives to carve our names on it: ‘Amir an Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.’ Those words
made it formal: the tree was ours” (27).
 Represents friendship, playfulness, carefree days
 Amir feels unity and strength
Quote #2
“We trekked up the hill, our boots squishing in the muddy snow. Neither one of us said anything. W
sat under our pomegranate tree and I knew I’d made a mistake. I shouldn’t have come up the hill.
The words I’d carved on the tree trunk with Ali’s kitchen knife, Amir and Hassan: The Sultans of
Kabul…I couldn’t stand looking at them now” (87).
 After Hassan is raped and Amir stays silent
 Unity is broken
 Loss of friendship
 Loss of innocence
Quote #3
“We sat against the low cemetery wall under the shade thrown by the pomegranate tree…We had
picked a dozen pomegranates from the tree…I hurled the pomegranate at him. It struck him in the
chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp…Hassan did nothing as I pelted him again and again. ‘You’re a
coward!’ I said. ‘Nothing but a goddamn coward’” (91,92).
 Red is like the blood of Hassan
 Represents Amir’s anger and shame
 Amir calls him a coward, but he is the coward
 Loss of integrity
Quote #4
“Hassan had said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn’t borne fruit in years. Looking at the
wilted, leafless tree, I doubted it ever would again. I stood under it and remembered all the times…[I]
brushed my hands against the trunk. I found what I was looking for. “Amir and Hassan. The Sultans
of Kabul.” I traced the curve of each letter with my fingers” (264).
 Death of tree represents loss of life (Hassan)
 The loss of innocence and a longing for redemption
 Amir is about to make things right, so the carving gives him inspiration.
BP#2
Pomegranate Tree
Expository Paragraph
Sentence
Transition
& Hook
Topic
Sentence
Lead In or
Point
Quote #1
Explanation
of quote
Transition &
Lead in to
Q#2
Quote #2
Explanation
Transition &
Lead in to
Q#3
Quote #3
Explanation
Transition &
Lead in to
Q#4
Quote #4
Explanation
Concluding
In addition to the slingshot, Hosseini masterfully weaves theme into the symbol of the
pomegranate tree. Before the arrival of the Taliban, pomegranate trees dotted the Afghanistan
landscape as an image of beauty and a common source of food. Throughout the story Khaled
Hosseini expands the vision of the pomegranate tree to represent both the fruit of life
giving friendship and his key theme of the loss. The pomegranate tree comes to
represent Amir’s loss: the loss of friendship, the loss of integrity and innocence and the
loss life. When Amir and his servant Hassan were young boys, they often played together
under the shade of the pomegranate tree. Together they read stories and laughed and joked. It
was a carefree time of innocence for them. Hassan recollects [the] “…pomegranate tree near
the entrance to the cemetery. One summer day, I used one of Ali’s kitchen knives to carve our
names on it: ‘Amir an Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.’ Those words made it formal: the tree was
ours” (27). Amir writes their names on the pomegranate tree to represent their unity and their
friendship. He thinks they will be friends forever. The tree is their special spot and represents
their love and trust in each other. Despite his young desires, Amir’s friendship with and loyalty
to Hassan is not as permanent as his carving. Amir watches Hassan get raped and chooses to
stay hidden and safe rather than demonstrate the courage required to put a stop to the terrible
injustice. He hides the secret and drowns in his shame. At one point, he tries to recapture the
old days of innocence and freedom with Hassan. “We trekked up the hill, our boots squishing
in the muddy snow. Neither one of us said anything. We sat under our pomegranate tree and I
knew I’d made a mistake. I shouldn’t have come up the hill. The words I’d carved on the tree
trunk with Ali’s kitchen knife, Amir and Hassan: The Sultans of Kabul…I couldn’t stand looking
at them now” (87). At this point in his life, the pomegranate tree represents the loss of their
friendship and unity. The tree is a place of reminder. It reminds Amir of his guilt and the loss
of innocence. Shortly after this visit to the tree, Amir returns with Hassan and instead of eating
the red juicy fruit, he viciously throws the pomegranates at Hassan. He is angry and dares
Hassan to throw them back. “We sat against the low cemetery wall under the shade thrown by
the pomegranate tree…We had picked a dozen pomegranates from the tree…I hurled the
pomegranate at him. It struck him in the chest, exploded in a spray of red pulp…Hassan did
nothing as I pelted him again and again. ‘You’re a coward!’ I said. ‘Nothing but a goddamn
coward’” (91,92). The red of the fruit stained on Hassan’s clothing reminds Amir of the blood
stains after the rape he refused to stop. Amir is reminded again of his anger and shame. He
taunts Hassan by calling him a coward, but Amir himself is the coward. The tree and its fruit
symbolize Amir’s loss of integrity and a total loss of the trusting friendship they once shared.
Much later in life, Amir visits the tree once more. He has returned to Afghanistan after many
years away. He is a grown man with a mission. The country is in shambles having lived
through the Soviet invasion, and the rule of the Taliban. Amir is searching for Hassan’s son and
hoping to rescue him from a life of poverty and oppression. Once more, he climbs the hill to
the pomegranate tree. “Hassan had said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn’t borne
fruit in years. Looking at the wilted, leafless tree, I doubted it ever would again. I stood under
it and remembered all the times…[I] brushed my hands against the trunk. I found what I was
looking for. “Amir and Hassan. The Sultans of Kabul.” I traced the curve of each letter with my
fingers” (264). At this point the tree symbolizes death and yet, it also gives a glimpse at the
hope of redemption. The tree is dead and so is Hassan, killed by Taliban warriors. The loss of
innocence is complete. However, Amir takes inspiration from the carving which lives on. He
knows that he can be good again if he can redeem Hassan’s son from a life of destitution. The
pomegranate tree reflects Amir’s longing for redemption. This is a rich symbol with several
layers of
meaning.
Khaled
Hosseni
uses it
powerfull
y to
reflect
the theme
of loss
and
redempti
on in the
novel.