Kite Runner Metaphors

In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses the symbolism of scars that characters obtain to not only express the damage that traumatic events have, but that they can also be healed and redeemed in different ways. Despite the entire book being written from Amir’s perspective, he provides context as to when, where, and how these characters got their scars, including his own. For example, after Hassan was given the opportunity to fix his cleft lip with surgery, he was overjoyed until he underwent the trauma of being sexually assaulted. Because of what occurred, he was left with mental scars from this abominable experience. Similarly, Sohrab went through the horror of being sexually assaulted and was facing the possibility of going back to the orphanage.

This guilt and shame follow Amir throughout his life, causing him to struggle with happiness and personal redemption. Ultimately, Amir finds a way to healthily make amends with his past, finding healing and closure from the past. After returning to Afghanistan, Amir encounters the one person that was capable of causing such unimaginable trauma, Assef. By this time, both Amir and Assef were grown adults but they never moved past Hassan’s assault. For Assef, he is a sadistic psychopath therefore he enjoys the suffering of others while Amir was a witness to the act of violence and did nothing to intervene. When coming across each other, Assef has not changed and it is proven by the physical brawl he gets into with Amir. At last, Amir is left with a wound. Above his lip, the doctor described, “But not to worry, the plastics guys sewed it back together and they think you will have an excellent result, though there will be a scar. That is unavoidable” (Hosseini 297). With the scar being on his upper lip, it corresponds with the scar Hassan was also left with after his surgery. Not only does this support Hosseini’s overall theme of scars serving as constant reminders of enduring trauma, but it also represents the monumental moment where Amir’s identity has coincided with Hassan’s. He has become more like Hassan both physically and emotionally, in the sense that he is no longer afraid to stand up to people such as Assef. With Amir having a growth in character, he is able to take responsibility for his past actions and has reached the point of moving forward with redemption. Though Amir did not get to apologize to Hassan before he died, he is given a second chance by adopting Sohrab. In doing this, Amir can have a child while also rescuing him from further danger, atoning him for his past immoral decisions with Hassan. He can provide Sohrab with the support and love that was