The novel, The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini follows the life of an Afghan boy called Amir. The novel starts with Amir in the present day in San Francisco reflecting back on his life. He sees two kites flying in the sky and this reminds him of his childhood in Afghanistan and all of the regrets that he has. Amir had a wealthy upbringing with his father, Baba, and his two house housekeepers: Hassan and Ali. Hassan and Ali live in a small mud shack in the garden of Amir and Baba’s expensive house. Hassan has been Amir’s best friend his whole life and they did everything together.

The final scene of the novel is quite similar to the first scene in many ways. It is one part of the book where the plot makes a full 360. The book ends with Sohrab and Amir in a park, maybe even the same one from the very first scene of the book, and they are at an Afghani new years get together and kids and fighting kites. Amir sees Sohrab standing, sulking against a wall and decides he will buy a fighting kite to have a go with Sohrab. It seems that Sohrab is interested in the kite flying and after a year of being completely emotionless he breaks a smile after Amir cuts another kite’s string.

Hosseini wanted to surprise the reader by framing the novel like this. It is satisfying to end a book where it started as this leaves the reader contempt and pleased with the ending. The three main themes of the book, betrayal guilt and redemption, are all resolved by the final few chapters. The guilt that Amir feels towards Hassan may not be gone but he has done something good back by adopting his son. Amir feels as if Baba has betrayed him by not telling him that Hassan was his brother and now Hassan is gone. By looking after Sohrab

Character Analysis

1. Amir: He is self centered, selfish boy. He doesn’t consider other people and sees his best friend, Hassan, as lower than him. Amir can be very immoral at times like when he doesn’t help Hassan against Assef and his gang. He is the main character
2. Hassan: Hassan is Amir’s best friend and his follower. Hassan is very loyal to Amir and would do anything Amir says. He is also very submissive and wouldn’t even defend himself against Amir when he was throwing pomegranates at him.
3. Baba: Baba is a noble role model for Amir and Hassan. On the outside he is tough and never shows emotion. He is stubborn and does things the way he thinks is best. He is loved by many as he has helped lots of people and even built an orphanage. Though, he hides his guilt as he is Hassan’s real father and yet his lifelong friend, Ali, believes Hassan is his.
4. Assef: Assef was a troubled young boy. He was known as the bully of Kabul and all the kids feared him and his brass knuckles.