Abstract：The Kite Runner, as Khaled Hosseini’s first novel, has won a good reputation since it’s publication. The paper mainly emphasizes the kite image that carries rich symbolic meanings throughout the whole text. The analysis shows that the kite symbolizes different things to different characters, revealing the deep theme of the novel to the reader.

The kite, as a cultural symbol, represents a spirit of bravery in the tradition of Afghanistan, and it represents a key to open Amir’s father’s heart. Furthermore, the kite image implies a complicated friendship between Amir and Hassan. For Hassan, it symbolizes loyalty—“For you, a thousand times over.” while for Amir, it symbolizes betrayal and cowardice. Lastly, as the clue through the whole novel, the kite witnesses the protagonist’s journey to redemption. The process of running for the kite is the process of chasing ideal, paying redemption and enhancing his spiritual realm. It reveals a truth to the reader that it is not horrible to make mistakes in a person’s life; however, once make any, the only thing he should do is face up to himself and “run for the kite” in his heart without hesitation.

Key Words:  The Kite Runner     Symbol      Image     Redemption

摘  要：《追风筝的人》是作家卡勒德·胡塞尼的第一部作品。自问世以来，这本小说受到世界各地的广泛好评。本文通过对书中不同人物角色的分析，解读了风筝意象在小说中蕴含的丰富意义，向读者揭示了该小说的深层主题。

风筝作为一个文化符号，代表着阿富汗传统文化中勇敢的民族精神。同时，风筝象征着一把“打开爸爸心门的钥匙”。其次，风筝象征着阿米尔与哈桑之间复杂的友情：风筝于哈桑，象征着“为你千千万万遍”的忠诚；风筝于阿米尔，象征着背叛与怯懦。最后，风筝作为贯穿全文的线索，见证了阿米尔为了弥补错误，踏上了一条通往成熟的自我救赎之路。追风筝的过程就是追逐理想的过程、赎罪的过程、精神境界升华的过程。从而使读者认识到，犯错并不可怕，只要有勇气去面对错误和承担责任，任何时候改正都不算晚，唯一要做的就是勇于直视自己的内心，一往无前地追寻属于自己的风筝。

关键词：《追风筝的人》     象征     意象     救赎

Contents

Abstract--I

摘要-Ⅱ

Contents- -Ⅲ

Introduction --1

Chapter One The Kite as the Symbol of Bravery -5

1.1 Afghan and Kite—the Custom of Kite Fighting5

1.2 Kite as the Key to Open Baba’s Heart6

Chapter Two The Kite as the Symbol of Loyalty and Betrayal in Friendship--8

2.1 Hassan and Kite-- Loyalty and Devotion -8

2.2 Amir and Kite-- Betrayal and Cowardice 10

Chapter Three The Kite as the Symbol of Spiritual Redemption 12

Conclusion15

Works Cited18

An Analysis of the Kite Image in The Kite Runner

Introduction

Khaled Hosseini and The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini is an American novelist born in Afghanistan in 1965 and immigrated to America later. After publishing his two outstanding works: The Kite Runner(2003) and A Thousand Splendid Suns(2007), he has received a good reputation from all over the world. Because of the huge influence of his books, Hosseini was invited to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations to relieve refugees.

The Kite runner is the very first novel of Hosseini. Since published in 2003, it has received a good reputation all over the world. The author has almost won all the New Talent Awards in English Literature. At the same time, the novel hits the record of all the libraries’ ranking lists for several weeks. During the past few years, the book has been sold more than ten million and has created a new wave in English literature. So far, it has been translated into more than forty languages. This is a painful story to read. Hosseini writes it as a memoirs. The book records the growing process of himself, and brings us into a war-torn but beautiful world, which shows a man’ s journey to redemption through guilt and regret.