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160976

Retrieving the Fallen Kite: Kite Symbolism in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner

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Last updated: 04 Jan 2025

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Abstract

This paper examines the symbolic representations of the kite and the way in which it is used as a unifying thematic device. A close reading of Hosseini's novel in relation to the kite symbolism lays bare the relationship between Amir and his kite-assistant and childhood friend Hassan. In addition, it is through the kite symbolism that the relationship between Amir and his father is re-established. Apparently, the kite gradually acquires additional symbolic resonance when the novelist forges a connection between Amir and the kite, a relationship that ultimately enables the former to reconcile with his flawed but redeemable self. Thus, the kite is used as a symbol that represents the hope of building a new secure life, the kind of life that Amir as well as his fellow citizens were unable to achieve in a strange unbearable place like Afghanistan where “mines were planted like seeds of death and children buried in rock-piled graves" (119).

DOI

10.21608/herms.2017.160976

Keywords

Khaled Hosseini, kite symbolism, Afghanistan, self-fulfillment

Authors

First Name

Muhammad

Last Name

Jalal

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Associate Professor of English Literature, English Department, Faculty of Arts, Zagazig Univeristy

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Volume

6

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

11404

Issue Date

2017-04-01

Receive Date

2021-04-04

Publish Date

2017-04-01

Page Start

215

Page End

245

Print ISSN

2090-8555

Online ISSN

2974-4695

Link

https://hermes.journals.ekb.eg/article_160976.html

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https://hermes.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=160976

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Journal

Publication Title

هرمس

Publication Link

https://hermes.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Retrieving the Fallen Kite: Kite Symbolism in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023