The Kite Runner

Main Ideas

• Friendship and betrayal: The central theme of the book explores the complex relationship between two boys, Amir and Hassan, and how one's betrayal affects their lives.
• Redemption and forgiveness: Amir seeks to atone for his past sins and find forgiveness, which becomes his main goal throughout the book.
• The impact of the past on the present: The book shows how childhood events and past mistakes continue to influence the characters' lives in adulthood.
• Social and ethnic differences: The novel raises questions about class and ethnic differences in Afghan society, particularly in the relationships between Pashtuns and Hazaras.
• Family relationships and expectations: An exploration of complex family dynamics, including father-son relationships and the pressure of family expectations.
• War and emigration: The impact of political events in Afghanistan on the characters' lives, their forced emigration, and adaptation to a new life in the United States.