Theme, Symbols, Point of View, Tone, Irony, Use of Controversial Language

In the novel, strength of character is a recurrent theme. Amir commits a sin against Hassan, his best friend, and he does not reach atonement until the end of the story. Amir does not have the strength to redeem himself until he speaks to Rahim Khan and goes back to Kabul. He merely tries to hide from all memories and thoughts of Hassan. Amir also learns that Baba, whose strength he always admired, also lacked in this area, strength of character. This occurs when Amir discovers that Hassan was his half-brother. The fact that Amir and Hassan both fed from the same breast symbolizes brotherhood and somewhat foreshadows the fact that they are related by blood. This symbol of brotherhood is reflected at the end of the novel as well when Amir continues his relationship with Hassan through Sohrab. Kabul itself can be viewed as symbolizing both weakness and redemption, for it is here that Amir begins and ends the guilty, shameful, confused period in his life.

The novel is written in the first person from Amir's point of view. As the narrator, Amir develops various tones throughout the novel. At the beginning, there is a compassionate tone that reflects in Amir and Hassan's deep relationship. The tone becomes violent and fearful whenever Assef is introduced into the story. During the story of Amir's life in America, the tone is somewhat detached because Amir is lacking in a relationship like the one he shared with Hassan. It does become more optimistic, however, once he marrise Soraya.

Situational irony exists when Baba pays for plastic surgery on Hassan's harelip so that he can smile and display his outgoing, loving personality. The next winter, however, something happens that makes Hassan stop smiling--his rape, Amir's betrayal, and the downfall of Hassan and Amir's relationship.

The major controversial language in the novel occurs in the rape scene in which Hassan is raped by Assef. Some parents do not find this scene appropriate for their children to read, as it deals with a sexual act of harrassment.

Major Characters

Amir, the narrator and protagonist of the story, begins as a Pashtun boy living in Kabul, Afghanistan. He tells of the sins he committed against his friend, servant, and half-brother, Hassan, and of his journey to redemption. Amir is insecure as a boy, but he finally feels stable and pure at the end of the story, when he adopts Sohrab and teaches him about kite fighting and kite running.

Hassan is a Hazara and is the epitome of kindness and compassion. He is Amir's best friend at the beginning of the novel. Being of a lower class, Hassan faces discrimination every day. His harelip only makes the discrimination worse. Hassan is brutally raped by Assef, and this marks the point of Hassan's emotional downturn. Hassan eventually finds happiness with his wife and son, but he and his wife are killed by the Taliban.

Baba is Amir's father, and he is also the biological father of Hassan. Amir views Baba as larger than life and strives to please him in every way possible. Baba puts pressure on Amir to be more courageous and athletic, but Amir rather shows a continued interest in literature. Baba does not really understand the relationship existent between him and his son, but he dies proud of Amir and his accomplishments.

Sohrab, Hassan's son, is the character by which Amir ultimately attains his redemption. He is symbolic of Hassan in the later part of the novel, for his father has been killed. Like Hassan, Sohrab is also treated poorly and raped by Assef. Sohrab tries to commit suicide when Amir betrays him and tells him that he may need to go back to an orphanage for a little while, but he eventually moves to the United States as Amir and Soraya have adopted him.

Assef, the antagonist of the story, is a Pashtun boy who ultimately becomes a Taliban official. He bullies and rapes Hassan and tries to humiliate Ali, Hassan's supposed father. Assef is a sociopathic character who admires Hitler and represents all that is cruel and immoral.