Kite Runner Essay- Hayden Pritchard In the novel The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, the author uses characterization, plot structure, and tone throughout the story while portraying the minor (in comparison to the main character) character Hassan and how his traits compare to the primary character of Amir. In doing so the author highlights Amirs weaknesses in his life, developing the idea that forgiveness only comes to those who actively seek out reconciliation. The use of characterization within the novel is used especially for the narrator to portray the differences between Amir and Hassan from the beginning. Hassan is almost always seen as “below” or “less than” Amir in many ways. Physical differences like Hassans cleft …show more content…
The tone in the beginning of the book follows Amir’s actions and feelings as a child primarily. This tone can be seen with the narrators' thoughts towards actions like Baba brushing him off in comparison to Hassan, the choice of the kite over Hassan’s well-being and even planting the watch with Hassan (a more sinister yet angry tone nonetheless). Amir is always bitter towards the character of Hassan as a child, not understanding the consequences of his own actions, and this doesn’t change until Hassan is finally gone and Amir finally realizes his weaknesses and mistakes over the years. The realization comes as Amir grows into an adult and takes responsibility for his actions, realizing how terrible his actions were, forming the more helpless and pleading for forgiveness tone seen towards the end of the novel. Actions like trying to do right by Hassan by raising Sohrab or finally praying again in the hospital for Sohrab show the character growth Amir went through when he himself finally compares his own character to that of Hassan or even Sohrab like the readers have done the whole novel. When looking at tone or the feeling the book portrays between Amir and Hassan it is clear that Hassan is a character meant to provoke change in Amir, he embodies what Amir does not have but needs socially, while Amir embodies what Hassan needs physically. The tone finally changes once the main character understands this and seeks forgiveness for his sins. The tone change represents Amirs journey for that forgiveness, and his final active search for