The Kite Runner - Chapter 4

‘their families somehow managed to obtain them exemptions from the draft’

Status/identity overpowers morality in this society.

‘the punishment had been perhaps harsh but fair’

The punishment isnt harsh enough, Amir has been too influenced by societal norms to acknowledge how morally wrong the actions were and in turn how light the punishment is.

‘never mind’

Anaphora of this word to deny his affiliation of a friendship to Hassan. Sounds like he’s almost trying to convince himself that it isn’t true. And also it’s used to emphasise how he cannot think that’s true, he must fit in

‘the face of Afghanistan’

Amir sees the face of Afghanistan as Hassan a Hazara boy. Goes against societies beliefs.

‘nothing was ever going to change that. nothing.’

Ironic, because obviously nothing can change that but those facts don’t determine the nature of your relationship, which we see later with Sohrab

‘we saw our first western together’

Amir is not fully Afghan very into American culture and indulges in his desires with Hassan.

‘the tree was ours’ ‘bloodred pomegranates ‘cemetery’ ‘sunlight and shadows’

Tree symbolism of their childhood innocence and how it will unfortunately wither away and die through Hassans death literally but Amirs betrayal in a more emotional sense as they wont come back to this tree. Light used to show how its happy but has dark undertones of foreshadowing to come

‘perhaps even the moment he had been received in Sanaubars unwelcoming womb’

His fate was decided before birth, unfair treatment. womb is a symbol of birth and life, to say it is unwelcoming is Amir acknowledging the struggles Hassan faces

‘Hassan was seduced by the mystery of words, seduced by a secret world forbidden to him’

Power of the written word, Hassan cannot read but he is still incredibly fascinated

‘I stopped reading those when I saw he was far better at solving them than I was’

Hassan although he is illiterate has a natural born intelligence one that hasn’t come from being educated. Amir sees this and maybe Hassan himself as a form of competition for him - envious if he is better.

‘I’d tease him, expose his ignorance’

Amir behaves in a cruel way befitting of society and its culture. Doesn’t try to teach Hassan he is content on their power dynamic, instead does this.

gives him ‘one of (his) old shirts or a broken toy’ to make up for imbecile.

Amir feels guilty for making fun of Hassan but his forgiveness involves damaged goods? does not feel very sincere more like something that can make himself feel better about the situation

‘After all, didn’t fathers in their secret hearts harbor a desire to kill their sons?’

Thinks everyone’s familial relationships are like his and Babas or strained relationships.

‘words were secret doorways and I held all the keys.’

metaphor that expands on the power dynamic between them. Amir has the power of the written word with him

‘feeling like a man who discovers a buried treasure in his own backyard’

Amir discovers his talent for writing and telling stories, something he is good at.

You’re a prince Hassan, you’re a prince and I love you’

Really kind to him in this moment juxtaposes the cruel behaviour he has shown him before. But only kind to him because of the indirect praise he receives feels like a selfish kindness.

‘feigned interest’ ‘thin smile’

Baba does not care about Amir’s pursuits in writing as a child

‘Air grew heavy, damp, almost solid. I was breathing bricks.’

Baba is so demanding in his presence it suffocates him and the need to be praised or even recognised by him also suffocates him. Intimidation + personifies wind

‘it was Rahim Khan who rescued me’ ‘held out his hand and favored me with a smile that had nothing feigned about it’

Opposite of Baba although indulges in the same interests as Him. ‘rescued’ strong verb. Act of giving a hand toward Amir like giving him a chance to experience a fatherly connection from himself.

‘Most days I worshiped Baba with an intensity approaching the religious.’

relationship was doomed from the start. This would be a sin in Islam. highlights his idolisation of Baba clearly.

‘I wished I could open my veins and drain his cursed blood from my body.’

This mirrors Sohrabs suicide, very violent imagery. Ironic because his blood is what gives Amir prowess in society

‘I was overcome with such sudden guilt that i bolted to the bathroom and vomited in the sink.’

His guilt affects his physical wellbeing as well as his mental wellbeing. His sense of guilt already existed before Hassan

‘This story’s special’ ‘Hassan’s face brightened’ ‘Then I have to hear it!’

Hassan displays strong affections for Amir, although he loves words and their mystery this is about Amir.

‘Couldn’t he have just smelled an onion?’

Story becomes representative of the darkness and tyranny that befalls Afghanistan but Hassan becomes representative of a solution to that.

‘What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He’ll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?’

Amirs internalised prejudice against Hassan for being right, hates that he is right.