The Kite Runner LRB 4

A discussion of the role(s) played by minor character(s)

            In the literary masterpiece The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, minor characters have certain roles that intertwine perfectly with the novel and how the characters connect. A coming along character, Soraya, meets Amir at the flea market. Within a while the two get married all dependent on the General’s – Soraya’s father – blessings. She is portrayed as both beautiful and compassionate. However, she also comes with a complicated past, but in hindsight so does Amir. The now wedded couple cannot have children, which I believe is foreshadowing for things to come. In Soraya’s case she is very like Hassan in many ways and fills the void that Amir has had ever since the tragic event he witnessed. For example, Soraya has a birthmark above her jaw which is like Hassan who had a harelip. I believe Amir is attracted to Soraya because she is very similar to Hassan in many diferent ways, physically and even mentally. In the novel Soraya almost seems like a combination of both Hassan and Amir, in which she is like Hassan, because of the harelip and compassion, but also resembles Amir because she has a gloom past. Although Amir finds this out, he doesn’t care because he figures that he has a past too and it doesn’t define the person, so he chooses to give her a chance. However, Amir does recognize that she has more courage than him because Soraya admits to her past and gets it out in the open. Another trait between her and Amir is their fathers, which want the best of them, even though that’s not what their children want. Overall, in this novel the minor character Soraya, makes Amir feel whole again. She brings some pleasure and peace to Amir's life, while at the same time reminding him his cowardly and regretful past.