Analyse how symbols are used to develop an idea in the text. Four paragraphs: Kites The fight between Amir and Assef The Lamb The move to America “ Tourist” Theme: “Redemption can be attainable even in the worst of circumstances” “There is a way to be good again. ” Marks a point in Amirs life when he truly discovers redemption can be attainable even in the worst of circumstances. After years of dnial, lies, hiding and ignorance this phone conversation with Raham Khan plants the seeds for Amirs ultimate redemption.
Khaled Hosseni’s The Kite Runner explores this theme as Amir faces emotional and physical hardship in an effort to quash the ghosts of his past. Throughout the novel Hosseni uses symbols to help illustrate Amir’s guit and his road to redemption and how peoples motives change, the sacrificial lamb shows how courage is needed to stand up for what we believe in, the move to America shows that we do not need money and power to be happy and finally the fight between Assef and Amir shows the ultimate redemption.
A kite generally holds connotations of peace and serenity but in the beginning of The Kite Runner Amir and Hassan use the kites in battle, and become a multilayered symbol of guilt and happiness. Flying kites is a passion of both Amir and Hassan and as they win the national kite fighting championship Amirs finally wins a spot in the heart of his torn father.
But after this competition the kite takes on a very different significance to the boys as Amir witnesses Hassans rape but does not step in, in the fear the perpetrators will steal his victory prize and his father will see him as a failure. Ironically Amir not standing up to the boys meant that he had become “ The boy [I] his father was afraid he would become. ” Amirs actions that day and his failings to step in and save amir switched the symbolism of the Kite from victory and happiness to a sign of betrayal and guilt.
Amirs guilt means that he can’t stand to be in the same house as Hassan so he frames Hassan of theft and force his father to fire him. This is the last time Amir would see Hassan. But despite all of these adversities Amir many many years later finds his redemption as the novel closes, Amir and Hassan orphan Shrobha are flying a kite, again the symvolism has done a complete turn around and the kite signifies happiness and the fact that even in the worst of circumstances redemption is attainable.
Significantly the roles have also reversed as Sorbha cuts a kite Amir runs it looking back over his shoulder he yells “ For you a thousand times over” the same words Hassan yelled on that ill fated day. bring outside world into this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sacrificial lamb is another significant symbol used throughout The Kite Runner as is Islam and Christainity the Lamb is used as a innocent sacrifice. Amir describes both Amir and Sohrab as “Looking like Lambs waiting to be slaughtered. as they come under fire from the malicious Taliban. This is significant because Amir and Sobah are both innocents who are figirutivly sacrificed by being raped. But even thought Amir was the spotless Lamb that had to be sacrificed on Amirs table of sin it is Amir who saves the oppressed Sorbha from the same physical torture presented by the Taliban. This is a very strong act that shows how redemption is possible……
