The Kite Runner

Throughout The Kite Runner, Afghanistan’s turbulent political climate is alluded to, often interrupting, intertwining, and sometimes totally upending the lives of the novel’s key characters. In what ways do Afghanistan’s political struggles, as shown in the novel, parallel or reflect the main conflict between Amir and Hassan? How would Amir and Hassan’s life be different if war had never come to Afghanistan?

The Kite Runner frequently makes use of symbols by way of important items. Three distinct watches appear in the narrative: the watch with the blue face and lightning bolt hands that Amir uses to frame Hassan; General Taheri’s pocket watch, which he winds every day as he waits for Afghanistan’s monarchy to be restored; and the watch Amir gives to Wahid’s starving boys. What might these watches symbolize? Support your answer with surrounding context.

The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell presents an ancient pattern of tropes that are ever-present in the themes and motifs of The Kite Runner. When Amir receives Rahim Khan’s phone call, he is literally answering the call to action, which beckons the hero of myth into adventure. What other heroic patterns of the hero’s journey does Amir fulfill?