Soraya

"Soraya pulled me to her and the tears finally came" (page 176)

I would just like to reflect on how strange it is that Amir and Soraya are so compatible. He didn't even know her before he "proposed". I mean seriously, things just don't happen like that. But I think it is important that Amir has someone to finally confide in. He spent his whole life trying to hide himself from his father to get the attention he craved.

I think there is major significance in the fact that Soraya has a questionable past, even if it is not nearly as terrible as what Amir did. I think eventually her opening up to him will allow Amir to open up to her. But I can't quite draw a parallel between their problems other than that they are both problems.

Maybe: Soraya's past is really only an issue because of the double standard held over women in the Afghani culture. Amir's past is rooted in the division of race in the Afghani culture. So.. Hazaras and women. Does anyone see any kind of connection?

moftakhir

"Then a smile played on my father's lips...I his arms, I forgot what I had done. And that was good." (page 79--in reference to Amir winning the kite competition) & "His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end of that look" (page 131--in reference to Amir's high school graduation)

There were only a few events in Amir's life that Baba was "moftakhir" (proud) of him. This always made me question whether or not he really loved his son. In Amir's childhood, he craved Baba's attention. But the only two times received that acceptance was when he became the Kite Runner champion and at his high school graduation. (Baba's other proud moments came later in Amir's life).

I think this is a result of the stark difference in cultures between what we perceive as normal and what an Afghani would perceive as normal. Baba sometimes cared more about status or class more than he tried to care about his family. And when Amir failed to do anything "impressive" for him to brag about, it could have been misconstrued as disappointment.

Throughout the entire novel (so far), the relationship between Baba and Amir has been so confusing. The man ended up spending his life savings on a nice wedding for Amir, but was that out of love or out of a desire to impress? Even as he died, he accepted no sympathy. He wanted to leave a proud man. How sincere could his love for Amir have really been?

Hidden Guilt.

"America was different. America was a river, roaring along, unmindful of the past. I could wade into this river, let my sins drown to the bottom, let the waters carry me someplace far. Someplace with no ghosts, no memories, and no sins. If for nothing else, for that, I embraced America." (page 136)

This metaphor as America as a river continues to conceal Amir's guilt he still carried about Hasaan. The culture in America was incredibly different than it was in Afghanistan. He didn't have constant reminders of Hasaan and Ali, although it is brought up in his mind at certain points in his life.. usually when something important was happening. America was "unmindful of the past".. He led a new life. Amir allowed his new life to bury his past. But I think this "river" he thinks he's wading in is a lot closer to his past than he thinks. As he reaches important milestones in his life, he is reminded of his guilty conscience. First of all, when he is able to talk to Soraya about her secret past, he is reminded of his own. And at his own wedding, he contemplates about Hasaan. Was he able to get married too? Had he destroyed Hasaan's future?

Pomegranate

"I wished he'd give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I'd finally sleep at night... 'You're a coward!' I said. 'Nothing but a goddamn coward.'" (page 92)

Isn't this ironic? After everything Hasaan had done for Amir, he had the nerve to call him a coward? (just so Amir could actually have the acceptance he craved from his father). I see this pomegranate scene as more of a catharsis for Amir. Although this feeling of relief didn't last very long, I think it was ultimately the reason Ali and Hasaan had to eventually leave. It was a critical point that highlighted Amir's immaturity in dealing with such adult (not even issues that adults should know how to deal with) issues and Hasaan's ability to continue to show love and devotion despite the pain he endured.

Amir's guilt was so powerful he could not deal with it in any other way than shutting out what "caused" it: his best friend. The most ironic part of this is that by ignoring the issue, his guilt was amplified.

Oooohkay. Here we go again.

"If I hadn't seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I'd never believe he's my son" (page 23 of The Kite Runner.)

I think this is the beginning of a recurring theme throughout the novel. Amir fought so hard through his childhood for a sense of belonging with Baba. All he wanted was to make Baba proud and to be the son he knew his father always wanted. With this came a tinge of jealousy, which is also a big theme of the novel. Amir always saw Hasaan as Baba's dream son. And I don't think this was just a figment of Amir's imagination.. there are several times throughout their childhood that Baba's expectations were met by Hasaan, not Amir. And when Amir finally achieves recognition that will actually make his dad proud, Hasaan "ruins" it. And Amir basically sacrifices the close relationship he had with Hasaan to win over his dad. So although Hasaan was incredibly dedicated and loyal to Amir, the jealousy issues that were present were too strong for Amir to be as loyal to his friend.