The novel is extroidinary, and captivating. Khaled Hosseini did a wonderful job with symbols and themes. The Character's are unique but connective. Amir (the main character) grows throughout the book, and the readers see Amir change from being a rude child to a well changed adult. I enjoyed seeing his selfish ways change. Amir had everything he wanted except his fathers approval. There wasn't a strong emtional connection between Amir and Baba. To me this was the central reason for Amir's selfishness when he was young. Just because his mother died giving birth to Amir Baba threats him differently. When Amir sees Baba give Hassan attention Amir becomes jealous and does the selfish things to Hassan. It is interesting to see this kind of conflict in a different culture because I never think things like this happen to other societies. My eyes began to open up to Amir's culture as he began to grow and become selfless.
The difference between Amir growing and Hassan staying the same is truly symbolic. You are either an "Amir"or a "Hassan." While it takes time and effort for Amir to become Selfless and grow, Hassan stays the same, well natured person. They both end strong wise men. Amir had to work to become who he was, while Hassan had been himself all along. This shows that people are different depending on how they are raised and the challenges they are faced with.
It doesn't take wealth and popularity to improve relationships. Baba and Amir see that throughout the novel. At the beginning when Baba is very wealthy and Amir gets everything he wants their relationship is weak, but when Baba becomes a low paying worker his relationship with his son grows. Money can't buy love or even emotions it takes effort and challenges to see that you can love and have emotions. Hassan, who is born into a low paying family already knows how to love and care but Amir has to learn how. The kite running has a lot to do with who each character is inside. It symbolizes the guilt and pain Amir is faced with. The ending is just an emotional slide. It made me cry. I felt the emotion as Hassan and Farzana got killed and the selflessness Amir had when he needed to repay Hassan buy helping Sohrab.
Even though the book made me cry I learned a lot from and enjoyed the symbols and growth in the characters.
