SYMBOLISM IN THE KITE RUNNER

SYMBOLISM IN THE KITE RUNNER By ardea, briana and yasmin1What is symbolism and why do writers use it?Symbolism is " something that represents something else by association, resemblance or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible".

The reason for a writer to use symbolism is so that he can add depth and color to his novel instead of blatantly saying the mood or emotion2Key Symbols Used In The Kite RunnerKitesPomegranate treeCleft LipBlood/ DeathSlingshotHassan's SmileOrphanageLambs

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KITES4Symbolism of KitesAfghani culture & happinessAmir's obsession for Baba's approvalTragedy,Amir's weakness and sinsRedemption, Happiness and Brotherhood"The old warrior would walk the young one, embrace him, acknowladge him his worthiness... Salvation, Redemption" (59)5

POMEGRANATE TREE6Symbolism of the Pomegranate TreeAmir and Hassan's friendship and childhood innocenceHassan's never ending loyaltyRuins of the friendship Hassan and Amir hadAmir and Hassan: The sultans of Kabul (24 & 231)7

CLEFT LIP8Symbolism of the Cleft LipHassan's status as poorRedemption" The cleft lip, just left of the mid-line, where the Chinese doll maker's instrument may have slipped or perhaps he had simply grown tired and careless"(3) 9BLOODANDDEATH

10Symbolism of blood and deathEvils of lifeAssef's role ans Antagonist and his evil natureBaba and Hassan's sins"There is no act more wretched than stealing"(16)11ORPHANAGES

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Symbolism of orphanagesAtonement of Baba's sinAtonement of Amirs sin"Baba paid for the construction of the two story orphanage ... with his own money."13

HASSAN'S SMILE14Hassan's smileHassan's unconditional loyaltyHassan's happiness and forgiveness" The man in the chapan exuded a sense of self-assureness, of ease... Mostly it was in the way he smiled ... one might have concluded that this was a man who thought the world had been good to him" (189)15SLINGSHOT

16Symbolism of the slingshotdefence from the evils of lifeChildhoodStanding up for what is rightloyalty"Hassan held the slingshot pointed directly ay Assef's face...'please leave us alone agha" "If you make a move they'll have to change your nickname from Assef 'the ear eater' to 'One-Eyed Assef' because I have this rock pointed at your left eye" ( 36 & 37) 17LAMB

18Symbolism of the lambsRedemptionSlaughter of innocencesI caught a glimpse of his face. Saw his resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was the look of the lamb. (66) 19

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