The Kite Runner Essay Motifs Motif vs Symbol

The Kite Runner- Essay Motifs…. .

Motif vs. Symbol • As motifs are often symbolic in nature, they can often be mistakenly identified as mere symbols. • These two literary devices are not one and the same. So what is the difference between the two? • The key difference to note between motifs and symbols is the element of repetition. • A motif is an item that reoccurs throughout a text. • By contrast, a symbol may only appear once. • Beyond this, a motif often contributes toward developing themes of a text, • The symbol’s significance may be limited to the particular scene.

Motif vs. Theme • Another element ‘motif’ can often be mistaken for is ‘theme’. • While a theme can be defined as a key or central idea explored throughout a text • A motif is more a means of embellishing, examining, or reinforcing these central ideas. • Example▫ a text may examine themes of good versus evil through the repeated images, or ‘motifs’, of light and dark.

Example of Motif in The Great Gatsby • In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, the weather is a motif. • Gatsby’s initial reunion with Daisy occurs in the pouring rain, suggesting sadness and regret. • As the sun comes out, their love renews. • Gatsby’s confrontation with Tom occurs on the hottest day of the year, suggesting they have each reached the “boiling point, ” • His showdown with Wilson occurs on the first day of autumn, which suggests the coming coldness of death.

Motifs in The Kite Runner • Rape is a motif, which recurs throughout the novel. Rape motivates the plot of the novel. There are three main rapes in the novel. • #1 - The first and main rape is Hassan’s rape is a main source of Amir’s guilt. Also, Hassan’s rape is the reason of Amir’s redemption. Amir strives to redeem himself to Hassan afterwards. • #2 - The second rape occurs when Amir and Baba flee Kabul. Baba stops the rape of a woman. Baba saves her dignity at that moment. • #3 - The third rape is Sohrab’s rape, which is implied by Assef. Also, Sohrab said to Amir that he was glad that his parents were dead so that they would never know how dirty he was. Saving and helping Sohrab becomes Amir’s way to redeem himself to Hassan’s rape • Rape represents the life of powerless people; powerful people control them, they humiliate those powerless people, and never treat them as person.

Guilt – A Motif • Guilt exists everywhere in the novel. Guilt leads Amir to redeem himself to Hassan; • Guilt leads Baba to redeem himself to charity • Guilt leads Rahim Khan to tell the truth to Amir at his deathbed • Guilt leads Amir to go back Kabul and rescue Sohrab. • Guilt, in this novel, is a force, which pushes everyone to find a way to redeem themselves to their sins. Guilt motivates their redemption. • Hosseini uses guilt to encourage us to face our sins and redeem ourselves to our sins.

Death – A Motif • Baba’s death gives Amir a shock in his life. Baba is the only family in the world. Baba’s death represents that Amir is the only person who can take responsibilities of the whole family. • Hassan’s death represents Amir’s loss of his loyal brother. • Rahim Khan’s death represents Amir’s loss of his bosom friend. All of people Amir loved leave him one by one. Amir has to stand up and take all responsibilities. He has to become a real man, like Baba always expected. • The death of Baba motivates Amir to meet Rahim Khan; the death of Rahim Khan and Hassan motivates Amir to rescue Sohrab. • Hosseini uses their death to show us devotion of Hassan (a loyal friend) and the growth of Amir.