LRB 2

9. A discussion of the title’s significance

 

Khaled Hosseini puts great thought into the title of his novel and the significance it will bring to the story. The Kite Runner is not just some random words to put on the front of the book; it gives one an insight to an important event in the story that will be the turning point to many more traumatic experiences.  Hassan and Amir shared a great relationship however; there was a distance between them due to their different points of religion. Many kids in the neighborhood picked on them both due to Hassan being a Hazara. As the kite fighting affair is coming to an end, Hassan uses his athletic skills to run for the kite and capture it in order to give it to his dear friend Amir. This act means almost as much to Hassan as it does Amir, because Hassan lives to please Amir and show the loyalty of his friendship. Hassan states “For you a thousand times over.” In that particular moment the joy overwhelmed both boys. Amir’s friendship is soon tested when he walks into a back alley and sees Hassan being bullied by an older boy named Assef, Amir lurks in the background. Assef claims the Hazara people are donkeys and do not deserve to be treated with respect. Assef and other boys give Hassan the option to walk away without harm and give up the kite or be punished. Hassan stands by his loyalty and does not hand over the kite; he is then punished by rape and assault. Amir does nothing and acts as if the situation never happened. After that moment the story changes in dramatic way. In that very moment Amir chose the person he would be the rest of his life. The title is The Kite Runner because after Hassan ran for that kite, he also ran from his pride. Both boys were changed forever and the meaning behind the story would be more meaningful then it possibly could have before.