What Does The Bear Symbolize In The Kite Runner

The universal language of literature is symbols. They reveal deeper meaning and spark intense emotions to enhance the overall story. The Kite Runner explains the vibrant world of Afganistan, where the author, Khaled Hosseini uses symbols to convey the complexity and paint vivid pictures of the characters, their experiences and themes. Every symbol in the story from the blue kite, to the bear, to the distinctive markings on the characters serves a particular function. Firstly, one of the story’s most prominent symbols is the blue kite, which serves to illustrate the intricacy of the relationships between the characters as well as the themes of betrayal and forgiveness. When Amir observes Hassan being raped by Assef after chasing the kite at

When Amir returns to Afghanistan to rescue Hassan’s son Sohrab from the Taliban, he is beaten brutally by Assef. When Amir is at a hospital because of his injuries, he keeps fading in and out of consciousness and dreams, “He looks up at me and I see he’s me. I am wrestling the bear” (309). The bear is a metaphor for Amir’s hardships and conflicts, which he must tackle and overcome. The bear represents the struggles and obstacles that Amir has faced throughout his life, such as his guilt over betraying Hassan, his cold relationship with Baba, and his struggle to find redemption. Through this symbol, the author highlights the theme of redemption and the idea that it is possible to overcome past mistakes and move forward. Furthermore, the bear additionally represents Baba’s life challenges. At Baba’s funeral, Amir reflects to himself, Baba had wrestled bears his whole life. Losing his young wife. Raising a son by himself. Leaving his beloved homeland, his watan. Poverty. Indignity. In the end, a bear had come that he couldn’t best. But even then, he had lost on his own term” (183). For instance, Baba faces a bear he cannot tame when he receives the news that he has cancer. Nevertheless, he meets his final battle with grace and bravery, passing away following his own wishes. Baba's struggle with cancer indicates that even when a bear cannot be beaten, how it is faced can still count as a kind of victory. Therefore, the symbol of the bear serves as a metaphor for the internal and external struggles and hardships that both Amir and Baba have faced in their lives and how these experiences will be constant reminders of their pasts for