Use of Symbolism in Khalid Hosseini’s Novel the Kite Runner

Mona  Batra

Use of Symbolism in Khalid Hosseini’s Novel the Kite Runner

Exploring Symbolism in Khalid Hosseini's The Kite Runner

by Mona Batra*,

- Published in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540

Volume 16, Issue No. 1, Jan 2019, Pages 61 - 63 (3)

Published by: Ignited Minds Journals

ABSTRACT

Symbols and metaphors play an important role in Khalid Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner. They are used as visual representation to reinforce and put emphasis on important stages and development of the book. As we readers witness major events of Afghan history and socio-political events such as the fall of the glorious days of Afghan monarchy, Soviet invasion and rise of Taliban, through the eyes of two Afghani boys Amir and Hassan, we notice that symbolism becomes a distinctive feature. The pomegranate tree, the slingshot, the bear, the cleft lip--- highlight particular key moments in the story. Gradually as the lives of these two boys begin to fall apart, partially because of the political upheavals in Afghanistan and partially because of their own choices, symbolism becomes a powerful tool in the hands of Hosseini who uses it to the fullest to reveal moral weaknesses and working of human psyche.

KEYWORD

symbolism, metaphors, Khalid Hosseini, novel, The Kite Runner, visual representation, important stages, development, book, Afghan history, socio-political events, fall of Afghan monarchy, Soviet invasion, rise of Taliban, Afghani boys, Amir, Hassan, pomegranate tree, slingshot, bear, cleft lip, key moments, story, lives, political upheavals, choices, powerful tool, revealing moral weaknesses, working of human psyche

2. HOLMAN, Hugh (1972). A Handbook to Literature, New York: The Odyssey Press. 3. Kennedy, X. J. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1991. 4. Woodward, Kathryn., ed. Identity and Difference. London: Sage Publication, 1997.

WEBSITES

Afghanistan. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan Hall, Stuart. Cultural Identity and Diaspora http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/Literary_Criticism/postcolonism/Hall.html. The Taliban http://www.infoplease.com/spot/taliban.html

Corresponding Author Mona Batra* Asst. Professor of English, Pt C.L.S Government P.G. College, Karnal