The Kite Runner LRB 1

In the novel The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini the title plays an important role in effectively understanding and dissecting the nature of the literary work. In the novel, throughout the first seven chapters, the reader can see that kite wars are a part of Afghan culture near the winter season approaches; “The kite-fighting tournament was an old winter tradition in Afghanistan.” A kite runner is described to the reader as many people running and chasing the kites that are cut down during the wars; Amir labels them as somewhat like the Spaniards and Running with the Bulls. Amir’s “friend” or servant as association in society, Hassan, is deemed one of the best, if not the best kite runner ever known. To win the heart and admiration of his father, Amir tries his best to win the annual kite war, in which he succeeds with the help of Hassan. He cuts down the blue kite which stood in the way of Baba’s affection, and the kite tumbled out of the sky “like a tire coming loose from a speeding car” , to the delight of everyone and most predominantly the many eager kite runners. After Hassan and Amir enjoy a short-lived celebration, Hassan, the best kite-runner, sets out to retrieve the blue kite in which he does, but runs into the three tormenters that tease and trouble him and other kids around the area. The title, The Kite Runner, is very connective for a reader to the story and provides a bridge to how the reader can connect to Amir’s victory and Hassan’s soon to be devastation. Without the title being the occupation of Hassan’s retrieval and ultimate humiliation and ruin, the novel would lose a sense of movement and connectivity with its readers. Hassan kept his word and retrieved the blue kite for his friend Amir, though it cost him many horrible and mind-altering experiences, while Amir simply fled from the scene because of his selfishness and cowardliness.