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The Kite Runner Cleft Lip Analysis

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The author of ‘The Kite Runner,' Hosseini, employs a variety of symbols to create a deeper meaning throughout the book. Symbolism is used to create deeper a meaning in in many ways in the book especially in objects like kites which represent happiness when the kite is flying high and guilt about the blue kite. Symbolism is also present in people especially the cleft lip which is a symbol of betrayal of brothers and also represents Baba’s and Amir’s redemption. The cleft lip symbolises betrayal of brothers and also represents Baba’s and Amir’s redemption. The cleft lip symbolises Baba's betrayal of his brother because he sleeps with Ali’s wife, resulting in Hassan being born. The cleft lip is now a reminder of Baba's betrayal of Ali and also …show more content…

The kite represents Amir’s happiness because it connects him with Baba, this is very important for Amir because Baba believes his son is a coward who isn’t strong enough to stand up for himself. Although to impress Baba Amir lets Hassan get raped by Assef so he can bring home the blue kite, he states, “I actually aspired to cowardice, because the alternative, the real reason I was running, was that Assef was right: Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba.” Amir has just witnessed Assef rape Hassan and instead of intervening he runs away. Amir says he aspired to cowardice because he believed that what he did was worse than cowardice, he feared that by intervening Assef would hurt him and that was the reason he ran. Although, he tries to justify this thought to make himself feel better, because the real reason he allowed the rape to happen was he wanted the blue kite. He believed the kite would prove that he was a winner like Baba was. The he had to price for the kite was Hassan to ultimately to gain Baba’s affection. Amir has never been able to fly a kite since, although after he redeems himself in Afghanistan, where he stands up for himself now kites are no longer a symbol of guilt, but rather a reminder of his childhood. This is apparent

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645 Words | 3 Pages

The words are blunt, unapologetic in nature, resonating with so much truth that it pierces Amir’s false happiness (Hosseini 133). For Amir, the kite brought only a false sense of freedom from his remorse. In reality, he was still entrenched in the battle for his father’s love, still trying to find a way to get all of his father’s attention. The kite-flying competition was an illusion, a dream that Amir could ever be his father’s only son. The reality that Hassan was Amir’s half-brother, and the equitable love that Baba gives them, serves as the anchor that keeps Amir from his own childhood dreams, the truth that Amir could never escape.

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1449 Words | 6 Pages

Amir lets Sohrab smiles again by running the kite for Sohrab just as Hassan ran his last kite for him half a century before. He pushes himself into a “servant’s” position. Through Amir’s self-sacrifice, hope for the future is restored. Amir can stand up for others and he is willing to sacrifice himself for protecting his family. He has forgiven himself due to his self-sacrifice, kite fighting reminds him of pleasure instead of pain in the end of the novel.

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625 Words | 3 Pages

Hosseini's The Kite Runner utilizes several distinct images and objects as symbols throughput the duration of the novel. The author applies these symbols in order to convey different messages and serve different functions that move along the plot of the novel as well as contribute to the theme. In Hosseini's The Kite Runner, the imagery of Hassan's cleft lip goes from being merely a physical trait to eventually symbolizing a representation of his overall character, working to develop Hassan's backstory, allowing the revelation of Hassan and Baba's relationship, and emphasizing Amir's ultimate change in character. As Hassan's character is introduced, his cleft lip is presented as one of his traits, the only negative trait that he possesses.

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658 Words | 3 Pages

This is his kite” (page number). Assef and his cronies had Hassan cornered, but instead of giving them what they wanted, Hassan continued to be a great friend to Amir and to fight for fairness. Hassan’s rape also marked a changing point in Amir’s story. Amir continually blames himself for not stepping up and stopping Assef and for everything that happens to Hassan thereafter. Before the incident, Amir and Hassan were, through their actions, close friends.

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833 Words | 4 Pages

In summary, the absence of the lip scar in the movie adaptation of The Kite Runner takes away much of the understanding of the characters and major themes within the novel. The scar is one of the keys to understanding Amir’s emotional transformation, and the journey he takes throughout the story to let go of his past. The scar affects the development of the parallels between Amir and Hassan, Amir

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286 Words | 2 Pages

The Kite Runner is a symbol of Amir and Hassan’s relationship. When Hassan was born, he was born with a cleft lip. Yet Hassan and Amir had the same mother, they are yet half-brothers. Hassan is illiterate but yet smart and stands up for others. Thought the book you come to realize that Hassan is the best kite runner in Kabul.

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806 Words | 4 Pages

The relationship between Amir and Hassan strengthens, with every defeated kite. Amir finally wins his way into Baba's heart, at least for the moment; then everything changes. After the last kite is brought down from the sky, Hassan goes to retrieve the kite for Amir with the parting words “‘For you a thousand times over!’”(Hosseini 67). When Hassan fails to return, Amir goes out in search of his friend. When he finally catches up to Hassan, he witnesses Hassan being raped by their nemesis Assef.

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785 Words | 4 Pages

One of the many aspects that Hosseini added to his novel is the symbol of the kite. Amir takes this kite as a symbol of happiness and also of guilt according to (http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-kite-runner/themes.html) (1). Amir goes through a hard time when he is a witness of Hassan’s dignity being taken. Amir at the moment does nothing about it because he feels like it would take all attention away from him by Baba. Baba, being a champion kite flyer feels extremely proud of his son because Amir is following his

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1504 Words | 7 Pages

The Kite Runner beautifully depicts the friendship between Amir and Hassan, and portrays the raw turning point in their friendship which will forever change the both of them. The theme of guilt and redemption is strongly evident throughout the film and in the end, the kite not only serves as a symbol of friendship but that of triumph. The opening scene shows two boys flying kites. Kite running was an ancient Afghan hobby

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1488 Words | 6 Pages

Amir, Baba’s son and the main character throughout The Kite Runner, betrays Hassan many times due to the fact of jealousy of the attention Hassan receives from Baba. First, when Amir tries to justify his actions he shows his motivations behind the betrayal. Amir states, “Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba” (Hosseini 77). Amir craves Baba’s attention so much that

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320 Words | 2 Pages

In the kite runner by khaled hosseini the author uses symbolism to show how a connection between two people can help them get over their past. The central idea is shown when amir teaches sohrab how to fly a kite and amir was showing hassan’s tricks in kite running. The author develops this idea through the use of the kite is used to represent amir’s childhood with hassan and the strong relationship they had which is now a connection with amir and sohrab. In the passage amir explains to sohrab how hassan was very good at kite running “Did i ever tell you your father was the best kite runner in Wazir Akbar Khan?

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1914 Words | 8 Pages

The kite is a symbol of freedom from the oppression and pressure Amir and Hassan face from their peers and mentors. When they are flying the kite all these troubles melt away. Amir can forget about all the expectations that his dad places on him,

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2938 Words | 12 Pages

Amir wants that kite more than anything in the world. He has come to believe that winning the tournament will garner his father's favor in a way that he can't seem to accomplish. While he watches, Hassan is attacked and raped by the boys. Amir doesn't step in to fight for Hassan, and he will always feel ashamed of that. However, it's later revealed that Baba is Hassan's biological father.

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1443 Words | 6 Pages

As the death of Simon symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus, Hassan’s rape symbolizes the sacrifice of an innocent lamb. Just like how Simon’s death was for a greater purpose, Amir views sacrificing Hassan’s innocence as a sacrifice for the greater good. He sees the look in Hassan’s eyes, who is like the lamb getting sacrificed on Dhul-Hijjah, who “sees that its imminent demise is for a higher purpose”(Hosseini 64). To Amir, sacrificing Hassan is a fair price for kite, and Baba’s love. But the kite that Hassan brought back becomes a symbol of this sacrifice of innocence, and it haunts Amir for the rest of

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765 Words | 4 Pages

The worst pain in the world is the betrayal of a friend. This can be said about two boys raised in Kabul. Despite coming from different social standings, portraying strikingly different characteristics, and leading contrasting lives, the novel, “The Kite Runner,” written by Khaled Hosseini describes how the relationship between Hassan and Amir still remained unbreakable. Friendship is a strong bond that can occur between seemingly similar individuals or people who contrast each others personalities.

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