The Kite Runner - discussion

[buffettgirl]

OK, here goes. (I read this 2 months ago, then loaned to a friend, so I'm not sure I remember much.)

What did you think was the overall theme of the story?
Father and son relationship? Or, going beyond that, child and parent? Or good vs evil? I kind of like the idea that maybe wrong choices or actions can be redeemed, and a person can rise above those mistakes later in life. The narrator (sorry, I can't even remember his name-I'm such a sieve head) regreted the wrongs he did to his friend in his youth, and let those regrets lead him to do the right thing in the end, even though the "right thing" lead to much more difficult experiences ie getting beat up, trying to connect to an abused and scarred child etc. Do you think a person can overcome a huge wrong and turn their life around? I do, and I think this story illustrates that.

Why doesn't the next person try to anwer the above question and then follow with another question?

 

[DebbieH]

I only have a second here but wanted to join in. I loved the story and feel the main theme was the relationship between a father and his son. I think that most of the story centered around Amir begging for his Father's attention. Even though he loved his friend Hassan, he felt threatened by sharing his father's love with him. I'll try to write more later.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[jdoll]

Hey! Great question...although i agree that a large focus was put on Amir's relationship with his father, i feel that the recurring theme in this story was idea that betrayal is a choice. A very powerful one. Amir's father betrayed both his sons by not being honest about the fact that they were brothers. Amir betryaed Hassan more than once. He betrayed him by choosing not to defend him against Assef,and again when he purposely planted his birthday gifts under Hassan's matress. Each of the characters chose to betray themselves as well. It was such a sad story, but beautifully written.

Do i think a person can right a wrong and turn their life around?

Not completely. I believe that if a person does his/her best to right a wrong, it will help that person to move past the wrongdoing and possibly forgive the wrong/be forgiven. But when a wrong is done to someone that is so life altering as the one is this story, i do not beieve that it can ever be made right.

ok, question for the next person....

Did you learn anything about history or culture in this book that you were unaware of before? Do you wish there had been more of an emphasis or detail on these areas?


jes

 

[buffettgirl]

Did I learn anything about history or culture...? Yes, I think I learned alot. I had no idea what life in Afghanistan was, or is like. I think the story illustrates that there is prejudice against others (race, religion, cultures) in all nations. I knew the Taliban was the "bad guy", but never guessed they were as evil as this story portrayed. The US is not alone, and any country that points it's finger at our problems needs to take a serious look at it's own population.

I enjoyed the verbal picture of the kite battles and wonder if such an event still occurs.

I heard an interview on the radio with the author. He said some of the story was autobiographical. His own father left Afghanistan with him (the author was younger than Amir when he left), and made many sacrifices for his son.

I have mixed feelings about the father in the story. He was obviously a strong, powerful man. He cared for both of his sons, and yet made huge mistakes concerning both of them. Do you think the mistakes of the father help you understand your own relationships with your father or children?

 

[JMFRANE]

Yes, I too, learned about their history and culture. I also wondered if such a contest with the kites took place.

I really enjoyed the book.

Joanne

 

[buffettgirl]

Bump!
Anyone else want to discuss.....

 

[JAFitMama]

"I have mixed feelings about the father in the story. He was obviously a strong, powerful man. He cared for both of his sons, and yet made huge mistakes concerning both of them. Do you think the mistakes of the father help you understand your own relationships with your father or children?"

The father's power and strength was like a veneer covering. Deep down in his core, he was a coward. His cowardness was examplified by witholding the truth about his sons. His son Amir was quite like him in that he did things to make Hassan look guily and make hims self look victimized. Hassan, hadthe benefit of living with a man of great integrety and he wasthe true powerful one.

* Does anyone see how Hassan and AMir can represent the altar egos' of their father? not necessariily good vs evil, but maybe? or not?

Judy "Likes2bfit"

 

[buffettgirl]

Amir and Hassan could be seen as representing alter egos' of their father when they were young, but Amir overcame the "evilness" as he matured. He took on responsiblities and overwhelming problems that he could have easily ignored. He could have remained a coward, like his father, and not returned to Afghanistan. He could have turned away at the orphanage and said, "Well, I tried." I think he represents what each of us can do and become if we do our best to overcome our past mistakes.

How much of the actions of Amir and his father can be blamed on culture and society? Are there times is our Judeo-Christian based culture where the same mistakes are made?