The major themes of the novel Essay Example For Students

The major themes of the novel Essay The opening scene of Khaled Hosseinis Kite Runner plays a significant role in setting the tone for the whole novel by giving the readers a glimpse of the major themes of the novel, which are redemption, sin, guilt, loyalty, betrayal and friendship. The technique of foreshadowing has been effectively used in order to present to the readers a small prospect of the novel, along with making the readers curious to find out as to what is going to happen next. The first chapter also suggests that the past consisted of a certain incident which played a major role in twisting the life of the narrator. The narrator speaks about his past and therefore the technique of a flashback has been used. This gives the reader a very strong feeling of mystery and ambiguity, and coerces the reader to read on. We will write a custom essay on The major themes of the novel specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The author has also presented to the readers the period of time when the narrator was residing in Afghanistan. The year 1975, twenty six years back, was the time when the life of the narrator reached a milestone of his life. The time is probably given such importance in order to convey to the readers as to how long the narrator has tried to erase his dreadful memories and for 25 whole years has he been trying to bury his sins and his sense of guilt. The year also plays an important role in showing the period of time when Afghanistan changed, the vicious transition from a land of tradition and brotherhood to the land of bloodshed, chaos and sorrow. The narrator tried to escape his sins by moving away to another continent, miles and miles away from his home, Afghanistan, and spent 25 years still unsuccessful in forgetting his horrifying memories. The image of the two kites also strikes a memory in the narrators mind and reminds him of his past, hassan and his words echoeing in his mind For you, a thousand times over. Hassan is one of the most important characters in the novel, since it was his rape that triggered the transformation of Amirs character. The kite represents the time when Amir and Hassan were one as a team and the difference in their social status was ruled out, to a certain extent. The kites brought back the beautiful and unblemished memories of the days Amir spent with his loyal, best friend, Hassan. The kite also stands as a negative symbol indicating the day of the kite flying tournament, which was the day when hassan got raped while obtaining the kite Amir had cut. It was this day when Amir left his helpless friend hassan alone and realized the intensity of his cowardice by leaving a friend in trouble, who would have gone to any limit in order to protect Amir. The kite also rests as a link between Amir and his father, Baba, since it was this one activity of Amir that made his father proud of him. This shows that Amir would not let go this opportunity to obtain the lacking love of a father. The kites, finally show the relationship between Amir and Hassan, their similarities and the differences. The twin kites show the half-blood relationship between Amir and hassan and the fact that both of them breasted from the same nurse. It can be noticed that they may be half brothers and therefore related, however, they did not share personalities. In fact, Amirs personality was a contrasting one to Hassans. The difference highlighted between Amir and Hassan by the symbol of kites is mainly that of their social stature. .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .postImageUrl , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:hover , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:visited , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:active { border:0!important; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:active , .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue3402f8a2ab775b68999c5bccd108aeb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The speech used is full of double meanings and there are many symbolic features in the play EssayThe everlasting gap between Amir, who represents a Pashtun and Hassan, who represents a Hazara, can be clearly seen in the kite tournament when Amir, the superior class holds the thread and claims the victory when it is in reality Hassan, the hazara, who runs the kite and makes Amir win. The introduction of Kites in the first chapter is an excellent decision of the author to convey to the readers the significance this symbol has in the novel and that it is these kites which mirror the major themes of betrayal, redemption, loyalty and undying friendship. The opening scene also describes the site where the incident of Hassans rape took place, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. This shows the readers the significance of the event and the degree of importance in Amirs life, since he remembers such minute details of the dreadful scene he saw. It also stands as a symbol of Amirs mindset, his soul shattering like the crumbling mud wall because of his sins. The significance of the winter scene is understood later on in the novel when learn that Hassan was born in winter. The atmosphere of a winter setting presents a very negative connotation and makes the atmosphere very gloomy, depressing and dull. This could probably have been shown to foreshadow the monotonous life that Hassan would have to live. The event of Hassans rape also occurred in winter, and the memory was frozen in Amirs mind for the past 25 years with no success of being able to forget it. The physical descriptions are not only to set the atmosphere of the novel but to also depict the mindset of the narrator. The first chapter of the novel has also the introductions of the main characters in the novel, the sources that lead to the development of the protagonists character, i.e. Amirs character. It can be noticed that the name of the narrator, i.e. Amir, has not been mentioned in the first chapter. This could probably show the importance these other characters had in casting the character of Amir. Two of the important characters of the novel are Rahim Khan and Hassan. Rahim Khan, who plays the major role of making Amir realize his big mistake that of betraying his best friend Hassan and conveys to him that there is a way to be good again. Rahim Khan has also been shown as a father figure later on in the novel which provides immense support in making Amir choose the right path that of redemption. The other major introduction in the opening scene is that of Hassan, the hare lipped kite runner. It can be noticed that Hassans name is taken by the narrator before the narrator discloses his own name, i.e. Amir. This shows the importance of Hassans character in the novel since it is Hassan whom the pain is inflicted on and the major incident and turning point of the novel is also directly connected with Hassan. According to me, Hassan is a symbol used to represent Afghanistan. The pain inflicted on Afghanistan is shown by the merciful rape of Hassan and the helplessness he bears due to having a weak social status, that of a servant, just as Afghanistan is considered a weak and a helpless country. Another important observation is that Hassan is the Kite Runner in the novel and since the title of the novel is Kite runner, it clearly shows the significance of the role played by Hassan. It probably shows that Amir, who is the narrator, is not the central character of the novel, but it is Hassan who plays the most important role in the novel. .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .postImageUrl , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:hover , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:visited , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:active { border:0!important; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:active , .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07 .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5d8fe1a84baf5997cb653541f9a35f07:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Sheila changes after the inspector(TM)s visit EssayAnother important aspect introduced in the opening scene is the technique of foreshadowing. This is probably one of the major tools used by the writer to make aware or hint the readers as to what they can expect to experience in the later parts of the novel. The presence of the incident which is kept secret from the audience creates a sense of suspense, which also exemplifies the importance this event has in the life of the narrator. The narrator is shown speaking about this particular incident throughout the opening scene and the past of the narrator is portrayed as extremely sinful. The character of Amir, though the name is not mentioned, is also portrayed since the narrator says he has been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years. The act of peeking is considered to be cowardly since the observer merely hides behind a covering object and views the scene from a safe distance, as in Amirs case, it was the rape of his best friend Hassan, and the cowardice of Amir made him betray his best friend by not standing up for him and protecting him as he simply peeked at his friend getting mercilessly raped. Another aspect of Amirs character has been portrayed in the opening scene, which is that Amir had kept the guilt hidden in himself for such a long period of time and did not take any action towards redemption. The thought of redemption only came to his mind after Amir found out that Rahim Khan knew of his terrible sins and after Rahim Khan coaxed him to return to Afghanistan for his opportunity to be good again. This shows that Amirs cowardice and betrayal had taken over his self respect, self realization, integrity and the emotions of friendship and regret and made him what he is today, a cowardly human being who is running away from the truth of his life.  The opening scene is presented in short, though appropriately and powerfully, using the technique of foreshadowing and presenting to the readers the main themes of betrayal, guilt, loyalty and redemption along with portraying the major characters of the novel. The opening scene prepares the readers very well for the remarkable story which is about to unfold.

Free Essays on Jesus Vs You

The world has gone through a revolution and it has changed a lot. We have cut the death rates around the world with modern medicine and new farming methods. For example, we sprayed to destroy mosquitoes in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. In one year, the average life of everyone in Sri Lanka was extended by eight years because the number of people dying from malaria suddenly declined. This was a great human achievement. But we cut the death rate without cutting the birth rate. Now population is soaring. There were about one billion people living in the world when the Statue of Liberty was built. There are 4.5 billion today. World population is growing at an enormous rate. The world is going to add a billion people in the next eleven years, that's 224,000 every day! Experts say there will be at least 1.65 billion more people living in the world in the next twenty years. We must understand what these numbers mean for the U.S. Let's look at the question of jobs. The International Labor organization projects a twenty-year increase of 600 to 700 million people who will be seeking jobs. Eighty-eight percent of the world's population growth takes place in the Third World. More than a billion people today are paid about 150 dollars a year, which is less than the average American earns in a week. And growing numbers of these poorly paid Third World citizens want to come to the United States. In the 1970s, all other countries that accept immigrants started controlling the number of people they would allow into their countries. The United States did not. This means that the huge numbers of immigrants who are turned down elsewhere will turn to the United States. The number of immigrants is staggering. The human suffering they represent is a nightmare. Latin America's population is now 390 million people. It will be 800 million in the year 2025. Mexico's population has tripled since the Second World War. One third of the population of Mexico ... Free Essays on Jesus Vs You Free Essays on Jesus Vs You The world has gone through a revolution and it has changed a lot. We have cut the death rates around the world with modern medicine and new farming methods. For example, we sprayed to destroy mosquitoes in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. In one year, the average life of everyone in Sri Lanka was extended by eight years because the number of people dying from malaria suddenly declined. This was a great human achievement. But we cut the death rate without cutting the birth rate. Now population is soaring. There were about one billion people living in the world when the Statue of Liberty was built. There are 4.5 billion today. World population is growing at an enormous rate. The world is going to add a billion people in the next eleven years, that's 224,000 every day! Experts say there will be at least 1.65 billion more people living in the world in the next twenty years. We must understand what these numbers mean for the U.S. Let's look at the question of jobs. The International Labor organization projects a twenty-year increase of 600 to 700 million people who will be seeking jobs. Eighty-eight percent of the world's population growth takes place in the Third World. More than a billion people today are paid about 150 dollars a year, which is less than the average American earns in a week. And growing numbers of these poorly paid Third World citizens want to come to the United States. In the 1970s, all other countries that accept immigrants started controlling the number of people they would allow into their countries. The United States did not. This means that the huge numbers of immigrants who are turned down elsewhere will turn to the United States. The number of immigrants is staggering. The human suffering they represent is a nightmare. Latin America's population is now 390 million people. It will be 800 million in the year 2025. Mexico's population has tripled since the Second World War. One third of the population of Mexico ...

The Crucible By Arthur MIller Essays

The Crucible By Arthur MIller Essays The Crucible By Arthur MIller Paper The Crucible By Arthur MIller Paper Now, Betty, dear wake up now. Its Abigail. (She sits Betty up and furiously shakes her. ) Ill beat you Betty. This violent language is a key to how violent Abigails behaviour is. She knows what she wants and she is prepared to do whatever it takes to get it. Abigails character has many flaws, people would think passion is a good thing, and it is, but Abi is too passionate, she is willing to have innocent people killed, just to get rid of John Proctors wife, so she can be with him. Abigail Williams does not seem to be a very religious person. (This is proven in her later life. She was found in Boston later on in life, living as a prostitute. ) She is mischievous, a liar, an adulterer, and in a sense, a murderer. You get an idea of her character from the first few pages. Uncle we did dance; let you tell them I confessed it. This shows she is not concerned about the fact she was caught breaking the rules. In puritan times people were not allowed to have fun as it was seen as ungodly. The only time you could celebrate was when somebody built a new barn; they held a sort of barbeque. They have cider and dance. If there hasnt been a new barn built then puritan life was uneventful. This is why I think all of the rumours of witchcraft were started. It was just people wanting to have some fun in Salem. Little did they know what this fun was going to result in. Abigail Williams is a strong character throughout the whole play. All of the girls do what she says and they follow her every action. The fact that those who lie are saved and Proctor, whose conscience finally wont allow him to lie, is hanged, is another example of dramatic irony in the sense that we already sense that being truthful in such a society is the most dangerous thing to be. Examples of dramatic tension in this scene are the manner in which Mary at first begs (pleading) Abigail to believe that she is doing nothing to harm her. This tension is highlighted by the fact that the girls echo everything that Mary says. In Marys frustration, she screams at the girls, (at the top of her lungs and raising her fists) to Stop it! . Even more dramatic tension comes later in the scene when Mary, either because she realises that she has to go along with Abigail in order to stop the accusations against her, or because she has been caught up in Abigails hysteria, reunites herself as part of the girls group and pretends to the court that Proctor has made her stand up to Abigail in order to save his wife. Ill murder you, he says, if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court, he says. Mary has just caused even more drama by completely overturning the focus onto Proctor and by now transferring all the pressure onto him. Dramatic irony and tension come together to create what must be one of the most memorable scenes in the whole play, Elizabeths only lie. Religion is Elizabeths life, she believes wholeheartedly in the commandments and would not dream of breaking them for any reason. Because Proctor is aware of this, he knows he can relay on his wife to back him and prove to the court how evil Abigail is, but Proctor has confessed to the court out of anger that he has known her. The court now do not know whether they can trust John and what he has to say. In order to prove to them the real Abigail, John preaches how Elizabeth has never lied, and therefore they can get the truth from her. In her life, sir, she has never lied . Elizabeth is fetched from the jail unaware that her husband has confessed to his affair with the vain Abigail and the drama begins again with Danforth questioning Elizabeth. We, the audience and the others in the room, Proctor and Abigail, know of the confession bringing about the irony in the scene. Elizabeth is confused when she arrives, and is ordered not to look at anyone but Danforth, making her nerves and unsure of herself. Danforth states, We are given to understand that at one time you dismissed your servant, Abigail Williams Elizabeth agrees and is asked to explain why. She looks at her husband for a clue as what to say, but seems confused and unsteady why anyone would be asking her the nature of her dismissal of Abigail unless they had come into knowledge of the affair. Despite this, Elizabeth tells Judge Danforth that Abigail dissatisfied her, but Danforth is not happy with this answer and digs deeper. As he does so Elizabeth glances at Proctor for a cue but she knows what answer Danforth is looking for and whilst speaking but unknowing what to say she keeps glancing at her husband but is repeatedly shouted at saying you will look in my eyes only, not at your husband. This is creating tension because we know that whatever Elizabeth says there will be a bad outcome. As the play comes to a close, Proctor is torn between saving his life and saving his name. He feels that he has lost the battle against witchcraft. He considers his name to be the one thing he has left. I have given you my soul; leave me my name! . Proctor would rather die with his name pure and white, then live knowing that he can not live a full life. He does sign the document in which he admits to witchcraft, which makes him seem selfish, but he will not accuse others of witchcraft, I have three children how may I teach them to walk like men in the world, and I sold my friends? , which preserves his heroic qualities, nor will he allow himself to be made into an example, You will not use me! You will not use me! It is no part of salvation that you should use me! . To himself, he is nothing but a fraud. He is consumed with self-doubt. He has nothing left but his name, it is his name and no one can ever take this from his as it is his own identity and is the only possessions he has left worth having. This is a very emotional scene, Salems witch hunt has taken everything from proctor; Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! .