The Kite Runner Rhetorical Analysis

As Amir experiences challenges throughout his life, the tone of the novel shifts from a protagonist who is angry and frantic, to one who is more mature and confident. The first part of The Kite Runner describes Amir’s youth in Afghanistan before he leaves all he has, because of war, and flees to America. Amir is slightly jealous that his father is dismissive of him, and treats Hassan who is Amir’s servant, as a true son. The author inserts negative words to convey an angry and frantic tone. Amir torments Hassan as an attempt to trigger him into losing his temper. A year later, his goals change from harassing Hassan as a way to let go of his anger, to a closer goal to love. Amir hears of a national kite fighting tournament, and knowing …show more content…
While this scene is shown to the reader, it also switches back and forth from looking at Amir’s father’s look of approval, to Amir’s multiple injuries suffered as he hastily maneuvers the kite. The distressed tone of the novel comes from Amir’s predominant conflicts. It is clear Amir is agitated because the tone of his inner thoughts reflect onto his actions and decisions. One cannot be calm if there is a storm inside. There is also a melancholic tone throughout the novel. As Amir remembers and regrets his harassment and jealousy of Hassan, the kite fighting tournament, and running away from Hassan’s rape, he recognizes his stupidity and sees himself as young, foolish, and cowardly. Amir is especially ashamed about his passivity when encountering Hassan’s rape. Even though Amir is aware that he cannot change the past, he regrets never …show more content…
However, he later learns that Hassan has left behind a son named Sohrab. Wanting to redeem himself, Amir sets on a journey to Afghanistan to adopt Sohrab. Amir deals with many conflicts along the way, including deducting where Sohrab might be, fighting Sohrab’s kidnappers, and trying to comfort Sohrab about his past. Knowing that Sohrab does not deserve all of this misfortune, Amir reminds him that life will be better now. In each of these key events, Amir’s thoughts and actions are more frantic, but this time they are also determined. Amir thinks more critically and strives to do his best, thus the novel takes on an unwavering tone. After many years of regret and anger, Amir has realized that he can change and that he needs to forgive himself in order to move on and take care of Sohrab. When he takes Sohrab home to America, it is Amir’s goal to make sure that Sohrab is truly happy. Although Sohrab attempts a failed suicide, Amir is shaken but still able to remind himself that he can handle the situation differently this time. This shows not only a determined, but also a mature tone. Amir’s thoughts in the finale proves that he is now emotionally levelheaded and has finally started to embrace