Character Identities in A Complicated Kindness and The Kite Runner
Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness and Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner grapples with the complexities of the human identity and how it can be affected by one's environment. Each author emphasizes the backgrounds of their central characters to focus attention on the development of their identity and how it affects their actions through the various conflicts they encounter. Their identity, however, is the result of many elements including interests and hobbies, friendships and relationships, and upbringing. These factors shape the individuality of each character and their trajectory throughout the story.
One's interests and hobbies can influence whom they become in life as
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those activities can develop one's personality, abilities and skills, and values.
In A Complicated Kindness, the character of Naomi becomes ambitious in leaving the town of East Village in an attempt to live a regular teenage life. Naomi’s ambition is the derives from her interest in the American culture and apathy in living in the Mennonite community. From listening to her favourite Rock 'n' Roll musicians, Naomi becomes attracted to the New York lifestyle since Lou Reed is from New York City and because she dreams of "escaping into the real world." (Toews p.10) Further, Naomi believes New York City to be the ideal Utopian society as it resembles a beacon of hope and prosperity. The thought of moving to New York City gives her faith that her family is alive and doing well so that one day "[they will] all be together, the four of [them], in New York City." (Toews p.81) In conclusion, Naomi's interest in the American culture shapes her identity as she becomes ambitious in pursuing her dreams and holds optimism in that one day her family will reunite. Comparatively, in The Kite Runner, the character of Amir develops his identity of being a writer from his …show more content…
bookish personality. Amir's fascination with reading was so severe that he "ran out of shelf room" so he "stored them in cardboard boxes." (Hosseini p.15) Later, as a young adult, Amir commits himself to pursue a Creative Writing diploma to become a published author. Having graduated from college and well into his career, during his visit to Afghanistan, Amir reveals to Rahim Khan that he now has "four published novels to [his] credit." (Hosseini p.170) Amir would not have found his identity of being a novelist if he had not dedicated his childhood towards reading. In conclusion, Amir's interests shape his character as he became an author because of his passion for literature. While one's interests and hobbies play a vital role in the development of their identity, friendships and relationships play an equally mattering function as one's peers can shape their personality, abilities and skills, and values. In A Complicated Kindness, Naomi's romantic relationship with Travis affects her character as it causes a quandary for her. Although Naomi enamours Travis and does things to make him happy such as taking birth control pills so that they could have sex, she does not know "what was really going on" (Toews p.121) between them. Knowing of Travis' personality, Naomi thinks Travis is using her for sex and is cheating on her with his co-worker. From that and all the arguments and reckless decisions, Naomi becomes "bald, drunk, depressed and jealous." (Toews p.182) While reflecting on her relationship with Travis, she realizes that all he has done for her is worsened her anxiety and made her less trusting of other people. In conclusion, Naomi's romantic relationship affects her identity as she becomes less trusting of others, yet, as a result, had become much more independent than she was when she started dating Travis. Relatively, in The Kite Runner, Amir's peers affect his identity by encouraging prejudice against the Hazara people. Amir, having inherited his mother history books, reads about the relationship between the Pashtuns and Hazaras. After finishing the book, he shows it to his teacher for his opinion. His teacher skims through and denies the claims in the book, adding that the Hazaras try to "[pass] themselves as martyrs" (Hosseini p.6) while wrinkling his nose with disgust. His teacher's ideology of the Hazaras affects Amir and his classmates as they only learn of one side of the story. This environment leads to Amir developing his own opinion that Hazaras are not as important to society since they are servants. An example of when he reveals his opinion of the Hazaras is when he tries to justify not saving Hassan from Assef. While feeling guilt for his actions, or lack-thereof, he reminds himself that Hassan "was just a Hazara." (Hosseini p.65) But, when Amir moves to America, he realizes how ridiculous his and his peer's opinions were. In America, since he was an immigrant, he was discriminated, which reminded him of how the Pashtuns treated Hazaras. This realization allows for maturity and open-mindedness. In conclusion, Amir's childhood peers and teachers affected his identity early in the story as they influenced him to join in on spreading Anti-Hazara sentiment. Though, in his later years, from this experience, Amir transforms and becomes mature, and break the cultural barriers that afflicted his childhood. Additionally, another significant factor that influences one's identity is their upbringing.
The environment a person grows up in can affect whom they become in life, whether good or bad. In A Complicated Kindness, Naomi's upbringing in the authoritative community affects her character by insinuating rebel-like values. Averse to conforming to the Mennonite customs of the "ban on media, dancing, smoking" (Toews p.9), and other activities teenagers take part in, Naomi starts to distance herself from the community. She does not want to end up like the rest of the people in her town "cheerfully yearning for death" (Toews p.8), so she starts to take part in many of the banned activities on the border of the town with her friends and boyfriend, Travis. Naomi is good at it too, as she proclaims to be “very good at being very bad without being detected” in a community where you are either “very good or very bad.” (Toews p.13) In conclusion, Naomi's upbringing shapes her identity as she has become rebellious by taking part in many of the banned activities to work around the community’s strict customs. Likewise, in The Kite Runner, Amir's upbringing in an affluent family has affected his character since, by allowing him to blame others for his mistakes, he “aspires to cowardice.” (Hosseini p.65) Since Amir was exempt from doing any chores or challenging work because he had Hassan to do them for him, Amir felt like he could get away with anything since he could blame Hassan for any of
his wrongdoings. Years after Assef sexually assault Hassan, Amir reflects on his past and feels guilt for the pain and anguish he has caused. Amir realizes of his cowardly actions when remembering his reason for not helping Hassan; that Hassan was "the price he paid" (Hosseini p.65) to win his father’s acceptance, and not get hurt by Assef. In contrast, this realization allows him to find solace and redemption as he decides to change his attitude and values for the better, and take on the challenging task of saving Sohrab, Hassan's son. Although he almost risked his life, Amir believes this experience redeemed him as "for the first time since the winter of 1975, [he] felt at peace" and "healed at last." (Hosseini p.248) In conclusion, Amir's upbringing affects his identity by teaching him the valuable lesson of responsibility and standing up for himself and his beliefs. In closing, the influencing factors of interests and hobbies, friendships and relationships, and upbringing alter the identity of the main characters in A Complicated Kindness and The Kite Runner. Naomi and Amir follow paths based on their interests and hobbies. Naomi seeks freedom by going to New York City because of her interest in America and Lou Reed, and Amir becomes an author because of his interest in literature. Second, their personality is affected by their friendships and relationships. Naomi becomes more independent after her toxic relationship, and Amir learns from his childhood mistakes and becomes a better person. Finally, Naomi and Amir make life-changing decisions and develop certain attitudes based on their upbringing. Naomi becomes furtive and rebellious by taking part in many of the banned activities, and Amir decides to change his life by ending bad habits and traits to reconcile for the trouble he has caused to Hassan. These factors influence our individuality, as while we have the opportunity to make important decisions that will change the course of our lives, these elements are part of the reason we make those decisions.
Hence, explored through both novels, is how a person’s internal conflicts can lead to their downfall, whether as a result of their struggle with identity or their feelings towards others. In The Kite
Actions made in a moment of pain, anger or simple immaturity can take anyone to make mistakes that can change their lives completely. Everyone has something in the past that is shameful, embarrassing and regrettable that is kept present daily. Whether this event happened during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, this event could haunt and have shaped that person’s life into what he or she is today. In a similar way, in the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is shaped by a tragic and eventful past that has shaped Amir’s, Baba’s, and Hassan’s life. The four literary elements that will be used in this essay that Hosseini strategically uses in this book are: irony, simile, Metaphor, and personification.
Nomi quotes here " But the thing about this - there is no room for in between. you 're in or you 're out. you 're good or you 're bad. Actually, very good or very bad or very good at being very bad without being detected.(Toews pg 10)". Nomis actions result in refrerring to drug context as a metaphor and drug use throughout this novel. Nomi displays her identity through this quote by showing her devious side. She does not let societys judgement bother her or change her from being herself, this is a neglection pricieving from the societys judgement based on Nomi they believe she her identity is of a delinquint child because she is not the typical female, she does things that are looked down upon which vilifys her identity. In The Kite Runner, After failing to intervene in the rape of his friend Hassan, Amir wrestles with his guilt, he seeks for redemption until he is satisfied with his himself. Amir adheres his father 's advice " A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer. (Housing pg 67)". This demonstrates how a males identity should be seen as brave and fearless, Amir struggles with this characteristic because he is a more empathetic and vunerable indvidual, this impacts his identity because he isnt who he is told to be. This discredits his character from his fathers point of view because his son isn 't like he is. In these two
The way our friends treat us in the face of adversity and in social situations is more revealing of a person’s character than the way they treats us when alone. In Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner, ethnic tensions, nationality, and betrayal become the catalyst that drives and fuels Amir, Assef, and other characters to embark on their particular acts of cruelty. Serving as a way to illustrate the loss of rectitude and humanity, cruelty reveals how easily people can lose their morals in critical circumstances. Through Amir, Assef, and the Taliban’s actions, cruelty displays the truth of a person’s character, uncovering the origin of their cruelty. Amir’s cruelty spurs from his external environment and need for love from his father, choosing
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.” No matter what context it is in, discrimination belittles people. Accompanying that, people search for some type of validation that they are better than what they’re perceived to be. Discrimination in the narrative Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini portrays this greater theme of searching for validation. It comes in all forms. Amir looks for validation from his father and in Hassan, while Hassan looks for validation in Amir. This constant need to be accepted is directly proportional to the discrimination acted on these characters.
Right before he goes to run the blue kite, Hassan says to Amir, “For you a thousand times over!” (Hosseini 67). This is one of the most significant quotes in the novel, The Kite Runner by the number one New York Times bestselling author Khaled Hosseini. This quote means to do anything, no matter what deed or task, however many times for a person. A common phrase exchanged between loyal friends or partners. Speaking of loyalty, this is one of the main themes present within The Kite Runner. Quite frequently and especially in this novel, loyalty often comes with the reality of (ADD MORE) In the novel, The Kite Runner by author Khaled Hosseini, the theme of loyalty is present throughout the book and especially
What is it that makes us human and what does it mean to be human? These questions should be frequently and relentlessly contemplated by all members of society. What makes us human is the notion that we have complex thoughts and emotions. No two individuals are exactly alike in every way who share the same opinions, tastes, thoughts, ideas, or feelings. Which is quite fortunate, because it would be a complete bore if everyone acted completely identical to one another. So, what is it that makes us abhor another based on their uniqueness as an individual or as a group? The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is about a friendship between two boys set in Afghanistan. The story spans over the last thirty years. Amir is the son of a wealthy business man, Baba. Ali is a longtime childhood friend of Baba’s and works as a servant for him. Hassan is the son of Ali and spends time with Amir. Hassan and Amir one day run into Assef—who has a superiority complex—and threatens to beat Amir for being friends with a Hazara. Later on in the story, Hassan is cornered by Assef and his two friends and Assef rapes Hassan. Amir witnessed the event concealed in the shadows, and is tormented for the rest of his life with his decision for not standing up for Hassan. The author,
In the novel “The Kite Runner,” by Khaled Hosseini, Hassan is a loyal, selfless and compassionate young boy. Hassan is a small, dark haired, green eyed Hazara who has a cleft lip. Hassan and his father are servants to Amir and his father, Baba. Hassan’s mother abandoned him when he was newborn and since he has lived in a mud shack at the back of Amir and Baba’s mansion with his father, Ali. Hassan is illiterate, but smart and is also the best kite runner in Kabul. Hassan’s world is Amir! He loves and worships him; his first word was Amir. Although Hassan has many notable qualities, he lives a hard and sad life.
It is difficult to face anything in the world when you cannot even face your own reality. In his book The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses kites to bring out the major themes of the novel in order to create a truly captivating story of a young boy’s quest to redeem his past mistakes. Amir is the narrator and protagonist of the story and throughout the entire novel, he faces enormous guilt following the horrible incident that happened to his closest friend, Hassan. This incident grows on Amir and fuels his quest for redemption, struggling to do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes. In Hosseini’s novel, kites highlight aspects of Afghanistan’s ethnic caste system and emphasizes the story’s major themes of guilt, redemption and freedom.
Raised like brothers yet they could not be more different. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini shows how two brothers, Amir and Hassan, could be alike in many ways, yet personalities are completely different. Amir and Hassan although raised like brother, and later discovered they were half brothers, were completed individuals in personality, meaning of life, and how they treated each other. The story takes them from early childhood, to the day Hassan leaves, to Amir growing up and going back to Kabul. The Kite Runner takes you on a emotional journey about a boy named Amir, and his uncommon bond to his servant Hassan, whom Amir had to go through choices to abandon his friend amidst the increasing struggles politics, religion, ethics, and love.
Betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness are all major themes in The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini. The novel also focuses around the theme of a broken relationship between father and son as well as facing difficult situations from ones past. Amir and Hassan are best friends with two completely different personalities. Each character in the novel faces their own hardships and eventually learns to overcome those difficulties. Beginning with betrayal then the characters have to make their way to gaining redemption and forgiveness from others, as well as their self, is carried on throughout the novel. It is a continuous story of the relationships between Amir and his father Baba and facing their challenges from the past every day of their present.
During The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini reinforces the theme of the loss of innocence and redemption. Many characters lose innocence or are the cause of another character losing theirs. Amir both loses his innocence and that of others. His innocence is stolen by his father. In the novel Amir overhears Baba saying, “‘If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son’” (Hosseini 24-25). This affects Amir for his entire life as he tries to compete with Hassan for his father's attention. He does not realize that in doing so, this crumbles his world as he knows it. It makes Amir resentful, calloused, and even cruel, all of which are characteristics of someone who has lost their innocence. In turn, Amir’s loss of innocence causes other to lose their innocence because of his lack of courage and disregard for others feelings.
Khaled Hosseini, the author of The Kite Runner, grew up in prejudiced Afghanistan during the 1960’s as a middle-class Pashtun living with Hazaras working for his family. His move to America after the Communist Coup proved difficult for his family, especially his father. In his novel, Hosseini writes through a young boy, Amir, very similar to himself, who grows up with his father and two Hazara servants in Afghanistan at the time of the Taliban attacks. Both Amir and his father, Baba, treat their servants, Hassan and Ali, like family. Society, however, does not approve of such relationships between Pashtuns and Hazaras. As Amir hides and watches horrified, another Pashtun boy rapes Hassan. This leads to the continuation of Amir’s internal conflict about the treatment of Hazaras by the public, and also makes him feel guilty and self-conscious throughout his entire life. In addition, Amir strives for affection and attention from his rather indifferent father. Amir’s outward conformity to societal values in his relationships with both Hassan and Baba, as a result of his inner struggle and guilt, contribute greatly to the significance of The Kite Runner.
In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the author follows the development of protagonist Amir through a life filled with sorrow, regret, and violence. Amir encounters numerous obstacles on his path to adulthood, facing a new test at every twist and turn. Amir embarks on the long journey known as life as a cowardly, weak young man with a twisted set of ideals, slowly but surely evolving into a man worthy of the name. Amir is one of the lucky few who can go through such a shattered life and come out the other side a better man, a man who stands up for himself and those who cannot, willing to put his life on the line for the people he loves.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a novel based in Afghanistan that shows the betrayal between two boys with two different social backgrounds. Four years later “The Kite Runner” was filmed by David Benioff, which shows the meaningful message that the book delivers in a movie. Throughout the book and movie, Amir the protagonist must live the rest of his life with guilt from his childhood. Although the movie gave the same meaningful message that the book delivered, the book was further developed, which had more detail and kept the readers wanting more. Ultimately these details that were present in the novel gave the readers a better understanding of the characters, which led to the relationships