Literature Analysis #2

1.) Exposition:

Primary characters include: Amir who is the main character of the story, the narrator, as well as the protagonist. Hassan who is Amir’s Servant. And Sohrab who is Hassan’s son. Setting: The story takes place in the city of Kabul located in Afghanistan during the 1970’s. During this time, the Taliban has taken over the country and caused drastic damages to it’s people and the culture they once thrived in. 

Although servants during this time played a low role in social class, they played an important role in the story’s plot. Amirs childhood friend was his servant Hassan. But Amir slowly built up some resentment towards Hassan living in his shadow through the eyes of his father. 

The resentment grew stronger as the story developed. The boys entered a kite flying tournament  where Amir took first place. Amir finally got attention from his father, turning his back on Hassan in the process. 

Hassan was sexually assaulted as a child and it haunts Amir and fills him with guilt 

As politics began to crumble in Afghanistan, Amir and his father fled to America. 

Amir learns the Hassan has died, and returns to Afghanistan to look after his son. 

Sohrab is being held against his will by criminal Assef and Amir risks his life to help/save him. Sohrab saves Amir’s life and they escape together. 

Sohrab refuses to really talk due to being abused, until Amir gains his trust. Amir discovers that he and Hassan actually were brothers. He thinks he is the reason the family fell apart. 

After Sohrab’s failed attempt of suicide, Amir brings him back to America. But Sohrab resents Amir for not helping Hassan when he had the chance

Years pass, to a day where Amir and Sohrab are flying kites together. 

The final scene of the story shows Sohrab exchanging a smile to Amir

2.) Theme: 

-“Running from the past” is a theme expressed in the novel due to Amir’s relationship with Hassan. Hassan being sexually harassed haunts and guilts Amir through out his life. At first he tries to ignore and forget, but knows he has made mistakes, and by the end of the novel he faces them when trying to save Sohrab.

-“Political battles” are descriptively described throughout the novel; Particularly the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. Historical/political events impact the story a great deal. It sets the stage of tension and damages for the story’s setting. These are valuable and important key details that  the reader experiences when reading the novel. 

-“Redemption” is definitely one of the biggest themes of the novel. Amir is trying to find forgiveness and future salvation in his life to redeem for his bad choices in his past. Although he made mistakes he can not take back for Hassan, he works to save himself through bettering the life os Sohrab. 

3.) Tone: 

The tone of the story can be described as hopeful. Hope is the driving force for the character’s in the novel. Hope for a better tomorrow (one without their country being at war and destroyed). Hope for a better life for those wronged. Even hope for those who made the mistakes. The tone always reveals a sense of sorrow and longing due to Amir’s struggles throughout the novel overcoming his mistakes. 

4.) Important Quotes

-“For you, a thousand times over”

-“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” 

-“And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.” 

-“There is only one sin. and that is theft... when you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth.” 

“It always hurts more to have and lose than to not have in the first place.”