Summary Of Hosseini's 'The Kite Runner'

Resulting from Amir neglecting to fight for Hassan in the alley, Amir feels heavy guilt weighing him down throughout his child and adult life. After the betrayal in the alley and after with the kite, Amir and Baba decide to take a trip with a bunch of people including Baba’s second cousin. Amir thought that he and Baba together would be perfect but “it shouldn’t have felt this way. Baba and [Amir] were finally friends (...) [This should be] fun, spending a day like [this] with Baba, hearing his stories. [Amir] finally had what [he] wanted all those years. Except now that [he] had it, [he] felt as empty as this unkempt pool [he] was dangling his legs into” (85). To Amir, his relationship with Baba wasn’t quite what he was hoping for, Hosseini refers to it as “friendship” which is not something a father and son should have. …show more content…
Hosseini refers to the unkempt pool to show imagery and use as a symbol for happier time. The unkempt pool is a reminder of happier and warmer times when things were better. In using the unkempt pool, Hosseini is referring to the betrayal of Hassan. That the warm summer times when the pool is filled, Amir and Hassan were happy, and now the empty pool in the middle of winter is a reminder of the guilt left behind. The pool is showing Amir’s guilt and how depressing it is. Hosseini uses these words to relate back to his overall theme about man. Man will feel guilt from the betrayal of his friend, throughout his life. He will feel the emptiness of the pool, and will be reminded about better times. Not only in his childhood, but in adulthood, Amir is reminded of the betrayal with guilt. It’s been over ten years since Amir and Baba have moved to America. Amir has finally found someone to marry named Soraya. Soraya too has a past that she feels guilty