Kites and Needles

In this first section of the book (pg. 1-124) we are introduced to the main characters, Amir and Hassan. Amir is a troubled young boy, struggling to find his place in a man’s world, one which his father has pushed him into against his will. Amir’s father, Baba, views his son as something of a challenge, something that needs to be molded, to fit his idea of a man, perhaps because of some atrocity that appeared in his own childhood, one he is trying to save his son from. And lucky young Master Amir’s best friend, Hassan, is spared from a similar fate. Hassan is a Hazara, a race viewed simply as unclean, inferior, compared to the Afghani. So, while Amir suffers from a oppressing culture, Hassan is in some ways freer than his friend. Though he does not attend school, he has a quick mind, and is indeed capable of many things the rest of their world say are impossible for a Hazara. So here, pretty basically, are your main characters for the time being.

Delving into the underlying meanings in the language, or put simply, reading between the lines, you see a more complex weave of connections, more ways in which you might finally understand a character’s mind. You start to notice the subtleties in mannerisms each character uses towards other characters. And if this makes no sense, try placing yourself in the book, a silent,invisible, witness to every scene described, and watch. Simple watch the small changes in grammar, the way they move their hands, everything. And eventually you’ll see a pattern in the chaos, a pattern, that when interpreted correctly can tell you a characters exact feelings towards another character, and hints towards what they may be hiding. The language in this book is fascinating, in some areas, foreign words are explained, and in others, they leave you to use context and wits to figure it out for yourselves. It’s somewhat like a foreign friend saying an unfamiliar phrase, and rather forgetting to explain what it means. The incorrect grammar is also interesting, when used in dialogue indicates translation to English from another language, as if someone were remembering the tale and retelling it in another tongue.