Pd.+3+Justin+and+Sean

Topic: "//There is a way to be good again//"** Khaled Hosseini's novel, __The Kite Runner__, has a central theme of redemption. This is apparent throughout the novel's key events and quotes. Rahim Khan, Amir's Father's friend and prominent fatherly figure, states, "There is a way to be good again" (Hosseini 2). This quote is in direct relationship to the whole concept of the novel, the struggles faced in the exposition left the main character, Amir, in a quest for redemption. Due to Baba's neglectful relationship with Amir, the frustration he is experiencing is reflected upon his relationship with his best friend, Hassan. Negligence itself exists in this relationship, existing in the main turning point in the story: the scene in which Hassan is raped and Amir admits to having power to prevent it. Although fueled by the neglectful relationship with his father, these are considered bad character traits. The latter half of the book describes Amir's journey to redemption, justifying the importance of the quote in accordance to the entire novel. **Hosseini, Khaled.** //**The Kite Runner**////**.**// **New York: Riverhead Books, 2003. Print.**
 * Sean Madsen & Justin Silva**
 * Literary Device: Theme

Topic: Rahim Khan's Journey** In Khaled Hosseini’s novel, __The Kite Runner__, there is one chapter where the linear story is broken for an eventful reason. This occurrence takes place in chapter 16 of the book, where not only the narrator changes; but so does the writing style, as well as the referred audience. In that chapter Rahim Khan states, “Kabul in those days, Amir jan, was as close as you could get to that proverbial hell on earth” (Hosseini 212). This sentence, and the chapter in its entirety, has profound impact upon the progression of the story. Rahim Khan informs Amir about a significant amount information in such a short time. This marks the first time Amir is told about the existence of Hassan’s son, and will subsequently affect his decision to retrieve the boy from a hostile Afghanistan. The current status of his old country is also revealed to Amir to be much worse than American television presents it to be. This opens up the theme of deception that becomes more prominent as the story continues. This is a key event in the novel as Amir’s life will be put in danger following the course of actions he chooses to take after acquiring the information contained in this chapter. **Hosseini, Khaled.** //**The Kite Runner**////**.**// **New York: Riverhead Books, 2003. Print.**
 * Sean Madsen & Justin Silva**
 * Literary Device: Event

Topic: Leather-Bound Book from Rahim Khan ** The most important symbol in __Kite Runner__ is a gift that Amir receives from Rahim Khan at his thirteenth birthday party, “It was a brown leather-bound notebook… ‘For your stories,’ he said” (Hosseini 99-100). Rahim Khan decides to gift Amir with this book a while after he read Amir’s first story, thus encouraging him to write more. Amir sees this one gift as “the only one that didn’t feel like blood money” (Hosseini 102). As Amir grew older his passion for writing only grew stronger. Once it came time for him to attend college he stood up to his father for the first time in his life and said that he wanted to become a writer. Upon meeting Soraya at the flea market Amir’s first gift to her was one of his own stories. After the two became married Amir came home one night to find Soraya reading out of the brown leather notebook to his dying father. Clearly the book was a precursor to Amir’s journey in becoming a writer, and the book itself has been connected to many of his most vivid and enticing memories. **Hosseini, Khaled.** //**The Kite Runner**////**.**// **New York: Riverhead Books, 2003. Print.**
 * Sean Madsen & Justin Silva**
 * Literary Device: Symbol