Comparisons within 'Kite Runner' and 'Atonement'

Comparisons within 'Kite Runner' and 'Atonement'

1. Conflict is a pertinent issue in both stories. WW2 and War on Terror.

   • The wars act as a macrocosm to their real-life situations
     • Conflict of man vs society.
       • Society saw Hassan as an uneducated sub-human because of his ethnicity. The theme of war/conflict helps emphasize the naivety and childishness of Amir- failed to see past his privileged life
       • Due to the lie which Briony told, Robbie was sent off to war. War seperating/disperses families,
         • the class hierarchy of England justifies that Robbie, a servant committed rape, when in reality it was a higher-class man
   • Like Amir, the sisters grew up in a wealthy household, oblivious to arising conflicts with Nazi Germany and England

2. Character comparison.

   • Both at the young, naive age of 13 witness a rape and they both respond to the situations which the influences the rest of the novel.
     • Both higher within social class and used power to hurt those around them
     • Both had to first accept and admit their faults in order to seek redemption, soughting atonement,
   • Amir and Briony both become writers
   • Amir's situation was a result of a lack of action. Amir was completely aware of what was happening with Hassan. Amir took years to admit what he did was wrong
     • He is paralyzed by fear, but does nothing about it. Searches for a way to be redeemed. Amir accepting the journey to Afghanistan, symbolizes his road to redemption; going back to where he committed his wrongdoing.
       • Feels he is redeemed by saving his nephew, becoming the kite runner.
       • The fight with Assef also symbolized redemption/atonement, he faced his cowardice and overcame his guilt.
   • Briony lied to the authorities because she wanted Robbie to leave and punished. Briony could not tell the difference between reality and imagination when her cousin was raped. Briony immediately sought redemption

3. Both writers are linking to the idea of sin- one will commit it but will always aim to redeem themselves. Firstly accepting wrongdoing, admit guilt and then search for atonement.

4. Cultural differences

   • Amir and Hassan are from different cultures. Amir is Pashtu, Hassan is Hazara. Pashtu= religion is pure and dominate Hazara's.
     • Kite runner contest- Hassan helps Amir as he wants the respect from him. Assef rapes Hassan, in front of Amir but scared to intervene. Thought there was no problem as he is a Hazara.
     • Discrimination within social class. Pashtunes v Hazaras. Amir is looking for Hassan, a classmate replies 'your hazara?', pashtunes think they are the highest social class.
       • Amir asked the old merchant where Hassan was, 'what is a boy like you doing here at this time of day looking for a Hazara?', Amir answered 'he's our servants son.Hazara's are hated by the Pashtunes and they treat them like a thing.
   • Class differences. Bryony asked Cecilia why they dont talk to Robbie- 'he is not like our social class' explaining the different social classes exist.
     • Robbie's family helped Bryony's family (her way of understanding)
     • Robbie's family lives on the land of Briony's family. Briony's father helped Robbie enter college because he doesn't have enough money to go to university.

5. literacy

   • Robbie and Briony both use writing as an escape.
     • Robbie- writing numerous apologies to Cecilia. One he finally sends gets published for all to see and gets him in further trouble.
     • Briony's apology for doing wrong, 64 years.