Baba's Secrets

This image represents Baba's secrets and its effects on the people around him, especially Amir. The combination bike lock represents Baba's lock on his secrets, while the wheel represents Amir. The "lock" of Baba's secrets tries to protect Amir from having to go through the cycle of losing "nang" and "namoos" in Afghan society, but his intentions subconsciously stifle Amir and his ability to grow and mature into a confident adult. However, Baba is also there to keep Amir grounded and locked down before cycling carelessly in life in order to prevent Baba from losing even more pride through Amir's shortcomings. The combination lock of the bike lock represents the many safeguards and barriers that Baba has put up in between him and Amir in order to prevent his secrets from leaking out and a loss of honor.

Soraya and Amir's Relationship

This image represents Soraya and Amir's relationship. The chain itself symbolizes the barrier of dishonesty in the relationship between Soraya and Amir. Where the chain connects to the ground is the past that Amir refuses to let go of and tell Soraya. Amir's past leads to the dishonesty and secrets just as the connection to the ground leads to the chain. The tree itself is their love and marriage, still growing despite the chain digging into its trunk. The chain digs into the tree and breaks the bark which symbolizes how the dishonesty between Soraya and Amir hurts their relationship.

Amir's Guilt

This image represents Amir’s guilt. Amir is like a lone flower in the field because he has kept his guilt to himself for the past 26 years, not revealing his secret to anyone. He has isolated and distanced himself from everyone because he fears of how others will think of him. He cannot forgive himself for what he had done when he was a mere boy. Similar to the flower that has not fully budded, because Amir has not confronted his fears, he is unable to live in a life free of his past. However, he shows hope that his guilt can be released. The bottom part of the flower, the black part, shows the conflict that Amir has been battling. However, as he grew older, he began to blossom like a flower. All the guilt he carried starts to be released, like when a flower is blooming, and he begins to understand his responsibility.

Sohrab's Invisibility

This picture represents Sohrab's invisibility in life. When you first notice the green shrubbery it stands out and is present in the scene but eventually, the novelty of the green shrubbery fades out and blends into the concrete. Looking closely, the turbary t is always a point of interest because of the color always contrasts against the black asphalt. similar to Sohrab, after awhile his presence begins to fade from the public eye. When Sohrab tells Amir that he is afraid to go back to the United States with him because he fears that after a while, Amir will get tired of him. The brown bit of dead grass around the edges of the green represent shrubs feeling of dread and anguish that eventually lead to suicide. Just like how Sohrab attempted to commit suicide.

Baba's personality

This tree represents Baba's personality in several ways. The sturdy trunk represents how stubborn Baba is and his unwillingness to give in no matter the challenge. For example, When Baba was riding in the truck towards the border, he refused to let the Russian soldier touch the young woman, even in the face of death. Another aspect of how the treee represents Baba is the roots of the tree because Baba has very strong, cultural and national feelings towards Afghanistan. Even while in America he continues to follow the cultural tradition such as when Amir asked to marry Soraya.  Finally, the fence represents the mental wall that Baba places when it comes to other cultures and new things. For example, In America Baba refuses to change his ways and learn with the new culture. This is shown when Baba is at the gas station and he refuses to pay.

Social Divide

This image represents the divide between Amir and Hassan. While they both grew up together they have adverse characteristics. The border between the grass and the dirt resembles the wall between Hazara and Sunni. Afghani culture has lead to a negative societal view Hazara. This view has lead to a popular belief that it is acceptable to mistreat the minority. The dirt resembles Hassan and his natural purity. He is simple yet cares for others simultaneously. On the other side of the wall there is growing grass. The grass portrays the development within Amir's character. Amir started off much like the seeds of grass, weak and fearful of the world around him. After many trials and errors, Amir has matured into a well rounded member of society. Additionally the gap in the grass shows that everyone is not perfect. Amir still blames himself for his childhood actions.

Amir and Baba's Relationship

This image shown represents Baba as the green net. Though Baba is portrayed as a strong character, inside he is conflicted and holds many secrets that he doesn't share with Amir, and protects these secrets by alienating Amir. This stronghold is represented by the metal fence that protects Baba and his secrets. However once Baba and Amir arrive in America, Baba starts to depend on Amir. This is shown by the hole and the fraying edges in the net because although Baba is not directly telling Amir his secrets, he starts to respect Amir and let him form the father/son relationship both of them had been deprived of for so long. Outside of the hole, is green grass showing a better life they are living and enjoying because Amir has a father to rely on and look up to, while Baba also has a someone to rely on and trust, and a son to be proud of.

 

A Fallen Country

This picture represents the difference between Afghanistan during Hassan and Amir's childhood versus Sohrab's childhood. After the Taliban's power coup, the Afghanistan Amir once knew has crumbled. The pink flower represents how the country used to be, and how Amir's generation thrived. It is out of focus because it is just a distant memory from long ago. Instead, the dead flower in the foreground symbolizes how Afghanistan is currently suffering from strict Sharia Law. As Amir reminisces, "Returning to Kabul was like running into an old, forgotten friend and seeing that life hadn't been good to him, that he'd become homeless and destitute" (246). The ragged, brown petals reveal the suffering of the people under the Taliban's rule. Sohrab's generation is left scarred from their actions.

Baba and Hassan's Relationship

Baba and HassanSarika Sethi and Keren Vardi

Baba is Hassan’s father, but their relationship is restricted because Hassan is both illegitimate and a Hazara. Therefore, their relationship is like a net or barrier, blocking Baba’s true love for Hassan. Hassan, though he has Ali, does not not have true friends to help him through his bullying, and therefore is in isolation like the space and distance in the picture. In the image, the person represents Hassan, alone, looking forward into the future which he must travel alone. Baba may want to reach Hassan, tell him the truth, but the net, his pride is holding him back, not letting him reach his son. Hassan’s father figure is Ali, though his true father is Baba, which truly does restrict their relationship. Baba cannot love Hassan openly, so he uses simple, small acts of kindness to show affection for Hassan, like getting him surgery to fix his cleft palate and noticing how he sticks up for Amir. Baba understands that he has made Hassan’s life a rough one, and wants to do whatever he can to help Hassan while still preserving his own reputation.

Amir and Baba's Relationship

This photo of heart stickers posted on a locker represents how Amir blatantly shows his love and admiration towards Baba, but Baba remains locked and stoic towards Amir. Parts of the hearts have been ripped off showing how Baba has almost ruthlessly denied Amir's attempts to connect with him and continues to isolate himself from his son's affection. However, some hearts remain intact, showing that Amir and Baba do have some connecting moments where they mutually have a connection. But, these small hearts are always overshadowed by the lock, which is the focal point of the picture. This inability to have Baba open up to Amir is also the focal point of their relationship at the beginning of the book.

Sohrab and Amir's Relationship

This image represents Sohrab and Amir's relationship in the novel due to the relationship that the photographed hand has with the tap. The hand, which represents Amir, is unable to control the flow of water coming from the tap, which is Sohrab's emotions. This proves that Sohrab does not want to open himself up to anybody, because he is afraid of being hurt again. The soap dispenser represents the fact that Sohrab views himself as dirty. Amir has the opportunity to make Sohrab feel clean again, but it is a constant battle between the sink and the hand, and allowing Amir's access to his emotions. Once the water is released, it becomes an unstoppable flow of Sohrab's emotions that Amir cannot control.

Assef's Personality

     This photo represents Assef's personality. The weed feeds off the tree's resources, depriving it of the necessary nutrients the tree needs to survive. This relates back to how Assef takes pleasure in destroying Sohrab's childhood and taking away his rights. The weed mercilessly invades the tree's space, it does not move and only kills the tree more. The mercilessness of the weed reflects Assef's personality for he also ruthlessly kills the people surrounding him. As the weed invades the grass' space, it weakens it, for the nutrients of the soil have been taken by the weed. Assef weakens anyone he interacts with, both mentally and physically.

Rahim Khan's Offer

This locker represents the situation of Rahim Khan offering Amir a chance to go back to Afghanistan to get Sohrab. In this situation, the interior of the locker represents Afghanistan and the unatoned sins of Amir. In order to avoid his feelings and the guilt that he felt, Amir shut the locker and closed the door on Hassan and Afghanistan. By Rahim giving him a chance to go back to help Sohrab, he is offering him a sliver of a chance to go back to be good again. The partially opened locker represents the opportunity that Rahim Khan has given to Amir. However, until this point, that locker has been closed for Amir. He locked it when he left to America and abandoned all of his problems that existed back in Afghanistan. The lock represents the trip to America that Amir took, and how it gave him an opportunity to avoid his problems rather than confront him. However, Amir’s accepting of the opportunity has unlocked the lock, allowing him to travel back to Afghanistan and try to make amends for his past actions. 

The Growing Tree (Amir and Soraya's Relationship)

We picked a tree to represent Soraya and Amir's relationship. When Amir tells Soraya about his past, he understands that he has other people in his life to rely on and that he doesn't have to face his guilt on his own. Soraya acts as a support for Amir, accepting his past, and helping him fix it. Soraya plays and influential part in Amir's life which is represented in this photo. The trunk and roots represent Soraya and how she supports Amir in times if need. Essentially Soraya keeps Amir grounded and helps him understand that everybody has a past with mistakes. Not only that, she helps him grow and provides him with an essential support system. The leaves on the tree represent Amir and his growth. The dead leaves on the trees represent the guilt and shame Amir has gone through. The green leaves show that Amir was able to recover from his guilt. Because the tree is not completely dead, Soraya's support helps keep Amir "alive." The branches on the tree represent Amir's growth throughout the story as they keep getting bigger and bigger showing how Amir's characters has evolved with time as well through the guidance and help of Soraya.

Amir's Growth Throughout Kite Runner

This image represents the theme of Amir's character growth throughout the novel despite his many obstacles. The dirt ground represents the guilt Amir is feeling about Hassan's rape and how pushes everything underground and refuses to deal with his guilt and emotions. The flower represents Amir's hope for redemption through meeting Sohrab and giving him a proper home. The crack in the ground represents Amir's opening up and dealing with the emotions of his past and how he has dealt with his guilt and grown from it. The cracks are caused by Sohrab and Rahim Khan, people who have inspired Amir to be a better person and own up to his past and what is already done.

Twisting Alone

Assef is a religious leader. The image shows Assef among others in society as represented through sticks. Assef’s stick is like a broken twisted stick that stands out and does not fit in with other sticks since Assef twists religion and turns it into something violent when it is not like the stick is broken and twisted. Usually in muslim tradition the prayer rug is on the floor; however for Assef, the rug is on his wall, showing how he is a religious leader and does not follow religious traditions. Since Assef is part of the Taliban, he twists religion out of context, turning it into something violent when that is not what it means. Other sticks are grouped together and bond with each other; Assef’s stick lies alone and its ends stick out towards, showing violence and unfriendliness.

In n Out

This picture represents several key aspects of the dynamic relationship between Amir, Hassan, and Baba. Hassan and Amir are half brothers, but Hassan was illegitimate because he was a Hazara. Amir was the only socially acceptable son. The three classrooms collectively represent all three of them Amir on the left, Baba in the middle and Hassan on the right. Amir is closest to us in the picture because he is the socially acceptable son and the face of Baba's posterity. Amir and Baba's doors are closer because they appear to be closer to the rest of society. But on the inside, they are actually quite distant which is represented through the separation of the classroom. Hassan's bravery and strong character in the face of adversity.  This is shown through the shared space between the two classrooms on the right that represent Baba and Hassan. On the inside, Baba is closer to Hassan but on the outside, he is closer to Amir because of the Afghan society.

Gateway to Redemption

This image represents Baba's attitude towards redemption and the path he takes to achieve redemption. After he commits the sin of fathering Hassan, Baba faces a choice; he can either remain guilty or he can strive to atone for his sins. The gate symbolizes the impeding nature of the moral decision he is forced to face. The "Keep clear at all times" sign illustrates the pressure and difficulty of redeeming himself and becoming a better person. As demonstrated in the image, Baba walks past the gate, taking the strenuous path of redemption, or walking past his obstacles to be a magnanimous and honorable man who gives back to his community. The subject's back to the photographer furthers the concept that while Baba may regret his mistakes, he does not dwell on the past or look back, but instead faces the future beyond, riddled with obstacles as it may. These obstacles include the journey away from Afghanistan, life in America, and raising Amir (the bicycles). 

Oppresion

This image represents the oppression of the afghani people, Hassan, and Soraya. The plant represents how the afghani people are trying to flourish in difficult environment. The plant is being crushed on both sides by concrete, which is similar to the occupying forces of the Russian and Taliban. Similarly, Hassan is shown to be resilient in the face of many ordeals, which draws a parallel to this plant, which is still trying to survive even though it is surrounded on all sides by pavement. This plant also represents Soraya, attempting to grow as a person in a society that is sexist. Like the pavement, sexism surrounds Soraya and it is difficult for her to grow and realize her dream of becoming a teacher.

The Good Side of Amir

This picture shows a bush that is growing, but also half dead. Most of the novel illustrates the guilty and betraying side of Amir, which is the dead part of the bush. As he grows into an adult and matures, he begins to grasp hold onto important aspects of his life, such as marrying Soraya and going to college while pursuing a career, which is the flourishing part of the bush. Through Amir's childhood regrets, part of the bush cannot grow and thrive. Furthermore, the dead part of the bush still has some parts of it that are alive because of the guilt and shame he felt when he was a child. However, moving to America gives Amir the opportunity to build on top his past and create a successful future for himself.

Significance of America

This image signifies the role of America in The Kite Runner. The branches represent the different facets of diversity in the country as shown through the Afghan community that Amir and Baba integrate themselves into during the flea market. The tree itself is home to a multitude of creatures and can be an escape from the outside world. Similar to how a squirrel scales a tree in order to escape its predators, Amir and Baba escape to America to find refuge from the volatile government in Afghanistan. Although there are separate leaves, they are all intertwined through the tree's branches. In America, Amir and Baba "grow" closer together through their struggle to adapt to a new environment. Even though they are different people, America provides a way for them to connect and bond in a way they could not before. 

Pressure by: Alexis & Sarah

The flower represents Amir and the rock represents the pressure brought on by his peers. Amir always wanted to major in English, but was prevented by his father who wanted him to go to "medical school, law school, and [do] 'real work'"(134). The flower like Amir is unable to show his full potential. He was never allowed to do what he loved without feeling guilt for not being the perfect son in his father's eyes. The flower is cut off from the bush like Amir is cut off from his past, and he is left alone and isolated. He went to America with his father to forget his past, but was constantly reminded of his father not supporting him.

How Soraya Brings Out Amir's True Feelings

This image represents Amir's open relationship with Soraya and who it has helped shape him.  The one small protruding plant represents Amir with Soraya because he is finally able to "grow" and reveal himself by telling her his secrets.  The "Love Yourself" sign represents how Soraya allows Amir to grow to accept himself for who he truly is and loves him no matter what.  The tree represents Soraya because the plant is leaning on her like Amir leans on her for support. As Amir and Soraya develop their relationship, they begin to trust each other, and Amir emerges from his environment to become a newer, reborn person.

Amir's Past and Present

When Amir is in America with his wife, Soraya, he pretends that he has nothing to hide about Afganistan. He puts in deep roots by getting married and establishing a career in America and puts on a strong, confident facade like the trunk of the tree. Little does Soraya know that Amir has sensitive parts of him that are still weak after all this time represented by the flowers on the tree.

Bonding Over Dirt

Amir and Sohrab bond over feeling dirty for their past sins and wanting to be cleansed and be good again. The trash cans represent the two characters and the garbage inside is the sins they feel they've committed. The common dirt beneath the trash cans represents how Amir and Sohrab are bound by a shared feeling of having committed sins and being dirty. The tree and majestic sky represent what Amir and Sohrab both hope to become--cleansed, good again, and heroically honorable and proud.

Directions for Kite Runner Metaphors

Directions for Kite Runner detailed metaphors connecting to themes and relationships

Instructions:

STEP 1: choose one aspect of the novel on which to focus

(ex: key relationship; personality trait of character; insecurity of character; key interaction; specific theme, etc.)

STEP 2: use your phone camera to take an image that serves as a metaphor for this aspect. It must include at least 3 specific elements that reveal different nuanced elements of your key aspect. Write paragraph and post with image on blog.

Sample:

This image represents Amir’s phone call with Rahim Khan. Amir has placed a stone wall between him and his past, refusing to speak of his relationship with Hassan to anyone- even his wife. When Rahim Khan calls, it is like a small window has been carved out of the wall, and he is offered a chance of redemption by facing his past. He begins to remember what he left behind, represented by the fuzzy landscape seen through the image. His mind is a blur; he suddenly thinks of “Baba. Ali. Kabul” (2).  As he has hidden behind the wall for so long, he struggles to make sense of everything on the other side. However, his devotion for Rahim Khan is seen through the one flower in focus, and he chooses to focus on that. Because of his loyalty to Rahim Khan, Amir ultimately decides to return and learn of the possibility for redemption.

Important note: make sure you are going beyond the obvious!

Examples of what is too obvious:

• Hassan appreciates Amir more than Hassan
• Baba feels guilty when he sees Amir (or Hassan)
• Amir seeks redemption through Sohrab
• Amir feels like not having children is a punishment
• Amir feels relief when getting beaten by Assef

These are all pretty blatantly stated in text & we have talked about them a lot.

Your post:

Title: [your key focus]

Labels: Your Names, Kite Runner Metaphors

Body of Post: Include image and explanation of how that image represents something specific from the novel. Clearly explain at least 3 aspects of the photo that reveal different nuances of your key focus.