Extracts from this essay...
Introduction
Kite runner Significance of Chapter 1 Analysis of a key
passage The opening scene of Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner plays a
significant role in setting the tone for the whole novel by giving the
readers a glimpse of the major themes of the novel, which are
redemption, sin, guilt, loyalty, betrayal and friendship. The technique
of foreshadowing has been effectively used in order to present to the
readers a small prospect of the novel, along with making the readers
curious to find out as to what is going to happen next. The first
chapter also suggests that the past consisted of a certain incident
which played a major role in twisting the life of the narrator. The
narrator speaks about his past and therefore the technique of a
flashback has been used. This gives the reader a very strong feeling of
mystery and ambiguity, and coerces the reader to read on. The author has
also presented to the readers the period of time when the narrator was
residing in Afghanistan. The year 1975, twenty six years back, was the
time when the life of the narrator reached a milestone of his life. The
time is probably given such importance in order to convey to the readers
as to how long the narrator has tried
Middle
The opening scene also describes the site where the incident
of Hassan's rape took place, "crouching behind a crumbling mud wall,
peeking into the alley near the frozen creek". This shows the readers
the significance of the event and the degree of importance in Amir's
life, since he remembers such minute details of the dreadful scene he
saw. It also stands as a symbol of Amir's mindset, his soul shattering
like the "crumbling mud wall" because of his sins. The significance of
the winter scene is understood later on in the novel when learn that
Hassan was born in winter. The atmosphere of a winter setting presents a
very negative connotation and makes the atmosphere very gloomy,
depressing and dull. This could probably have been shown to foreshadow
the monotonous life that Hassan would have to live. The event of
Hassan's rape also occurred in winter, and the memory was frozen in
Amir's mind for the past 25 years with no success of being able to
forget it. The physical descriptions are not only to set the atmosphere
of the novel but to also depict the mindset of the narrator. The first
chapter of the novel has also the introductions of the main characters
in the novel, the sources that lead to the development of the
protagonist's character, i.e.
Conclusion
of his best friend Hassan, and the cowardice of Amir made
him betray his best friend by not standing up for him and protecting him
as he simply "peeked" at his friend getting mercilessly raped. Another
aspect of Amir's character has been portrayed in the opening scene,
which is that Amir had kept the guilt hidden in himself for such a long
period of time and did not take any action towards redemption. The
thought of redemption only came to his mind after Amir found out that
Rahim Khan knew of his terrible sins and after Rahim Khan coaxed him to
return to Afghanistan for his opportunity to "be good again". This shows
that Amir's cowardice and betrayal had taken over his self respect,
self realization, integrity and the emotions of friendship and regret
and 'made him what he is today', a cowardly human being who is running
away from the truth of his life. The opening scene is presented in
short, though appropriately and powerfully, using the technique of
foreshadowing and presenting to the readers the main themes of betrayal,
guilt, loyalty and redemption along with portraying the major
characters of the novel. The opening scene prepares the readers very
well for the remarkable story which is about to unfold. ?? ?? ?? ??
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