Halfway Post

The Kite Runner Half Way Post

1. What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel happen anywhere? Why? Would it change the plot? In what way?

The major portion of The Kite Runner takes place in Kabul, Afghanistan from the year 1963 to 1981 and also takes place in California When Amir and his Father escapes Afghanistan from the soviet invasion in 1982. This setting is extremely vital because it sets the entire mood for the novel and without this specific setting, the plot would have to undergo a significant change. The first portion of the novel is centred around the ethnic, religious, and political differences of  the Pashtuns (Amir's culture) and the Hazaras (Hassan's culture) which is frowned upon by many of the higher class Pashtuns in Kabul. This political and cultural difference between the two companions brings up countless issues, such as how the neighbourhood bully, Assef, torments and looks down upon Hassan making rude remarks like, " Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are the true and pure Afghans, not this flat-nose here. They dirty our blood and pollute our land." (page 43) and also despises Amir for accepting Hassan as a friend. As Amir witnesses his friend being physically and mentally abused by Assef and does nothing to save him, his guilt is what breaks the bond that the two friends shared. Many of these issues surrounds the cultural differences in early Afghanistan, which is why if the author was to have the two boys be born somewhere else such as in America where cultural differences and racism isn't as harsh, these issues wouldn't have come up and it would've also changes the entire plot (such as the moving of Hassan and Ali from Kabul) and the solemn mood. Also if the novel didn't begin in Afghanistan, it wouldn't have led to Amir and his father fleeing to America which in turn wouldn't have led to the hardship that caused baba's death and the newly formed life that Amir has created for himself in America. The setting of The Kite Runner is key to the series of events, obstacles, and lessons that Amir encounters. 

   2. Describe a problem faced by the main character. Explain how the main character deals with the problem. Make a personal connection to this (either your own experience or that of someone you know)

        The main character, Amir, faces many inner and mental challenges. His inner problems that he faces are derived from major conflicts such as the guilt that he is forced to live with after he witnesses and does nothing when Hassan is being raped by Assef. He also lives with the regret of framing Hassan for stealing his birthday gift, which drives Hassan and Ali away and breaks the decades of friendship that Baba and Ali shared along with the bond that Hassan and Amir had. His cruel decision and memories haunts him daily- " I thought about Hassan's dream, the one about us swimming in the lake. There is no monster, he'd said, just water, except he'd been wrong about that. There was a monster in the lake. It had grabbed Hassan by the ankles, dragged him to the murky bottom. I was the monster. That was the night I became an insomniac." (page 91) causing problems such as insomnia, anxiety, guilt, and regret. Amir tried to bury these problems by ignoring and blocking it out completely instead of solving the core of the issue- "I put the kite down and walked into his thick hairy arms. I buried my face in the warmth of his chest and wept. Baba held me close to him, rocking me back and forth. In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good." (Page 84) I too on many occasions try to bury and forget my problems instead of finding a way to solve it. I had many conflicts growing up between my father, whom was a workaholic and never made time to bond with my sister and I. For years I hid my true feelings and resentment and like the way Amir blamed anyone but himself for driving Hassan and Ali away, I blamed my Father for not contacting me when I clearly could've made the effort myself. I victimized myself and also entombed those problems that I had which only burdened me more and made it hard for me to grow as I wasn't aware of the lesson that had to be learned.