Literary Devices

Throughout the book there have been many literary devices used. There has been a large amount of symbolism, alliteration, repitition, similies, metaphors, and even irony. I have a few quotes from the book that while I was reading stuck out like a sore thumb, (similie) :) and right when I came scross them I knew it as a device used to make the novel nmore powerful so to speak. A similie I found that was quite interesting is, "I saw that oil had spilled under the jeep and stained the driveway like a big Rorschach inkblot." (262) This creates a type of imagery to the reader and especially made me see it in my own head. An example of repition comes into play with the quote, "For you, a thousand times over."(multiple pages) This was repeated so many times because it shows how loyal Hassan is to Amir throughout the entire novel. It is simply translated into "anything for you" and Hassan lived up to his words.

Structure and POV

As I have continued reading The Kite Runner I haven't noticed a change in the point of view at all. I have inferrred that the narrator at least up until this point in the novel has remained the same person which is Amir, which ultimately makes sence because this is his story about what happened to him throughout life. Besides one chapter when the POV was switched to Baba. The tone throughout this book has always been dreary yet confrontational. “I want to tear myself from this place, from this reality, rise up like a cloud and float away, melt into this humid summer night and dissolve somewhere far, over the hills. But I am here, my legs blocks of concrete, my lungs empty of air, my throat burning. There will be no floating away.” (301)  As far as the structure goes, I think it has a lot to do with flashback and changing from childhood to adulthood.

Tone & Diction

While continuing to read The Kite Runner I have noticed that the diction in the book is just more or less basic and not very challenging. However, the fact that some words from a different language are used (Dari, the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan) makes it more interesting and educational. "The sky is seamless and blue, the snow so white my eyes burn. I shovel a handful of the fresh snow into my mouth, listen to the muffled stillness broken only by the cawing of crows." (48). The other language isn't ever used in sentences but a few random words pop up here and there. Going off of the quote the reader can analyze that the tone of the book is mainly calm, but since I know the book is powerful when it comes to war and battle, I am expecting a tone change to more of an uptight or negative aspect as I continue to read.

Characterization

I am on page 10 of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni and I would like to talk about the character named Ali. He comes off as a strong young man. He has a disease called polio that he was stricken with at birth that caused some deformations to his limbs and face. Although he had this disadvantage, nothing ever stoppped him. Kids were afraid of him and called him names, "They chased him on the street and moacked him when he hobbled by. Some had taken to calling him Babalu, or Boogeyman." (8). This opening description of this important character in the story shows how he is very round due to the fact that he doesn't seem to be ashamed about his disease and goes on living life as a normal human being. As a reader I would like to know as much as I can about him.