Form and Structure Flashcards
(2 cards)
Form
1.Bildungsroman (Coming-of-Age Novel)
The novel follows Amir from childhood into adulthood, showing his psychological and moral development.
This form allows readers to trace the long-term effects of Amir’s actions and the process of his redemption.
2.First-Person Narrative
The story is told by Amir, giving a deeply personal and biased perspective.
His guilt, regret, and eventual growth are central to the narrative voice.
It also builds an intimate connection between the reader and Amir’s internal conflicts.
3.Historical Fiction
The novel intertwines personal stories with key political events in Afghanistan (monarchy, Soviet invasion, Taliban regime).
This contextual grounding adds weight and realism to the characters’ struggles.
Structure
1.Chronological with Key Flashbacks
The story is mostly linear but includes flashbacks (e.g. to Amir and Hassan’s childhood) and flash-forwards (e.g. Amir’s life in America).
These shifts reflect Amir’s fragmented memory and ongoing guilt.
The non-linear elements build suspense and allow the reader to piece together important backstory.
2.Two-Part Division
Part 1: Amir’s youth in Kabul, betrayal of Hassan, and the consequences.
Part 2: Adult Amir’s journey of atonement, return to Kabul, and rescue of Sohrab.
This structural divide highlights the contrast between sin and redemption, and between past and present.
3.Symbolic Repetition
Recurrent images like kites, pomegranates, and scars structure the novel thematically.
The kite tournament and later kite running with Sohrab act as narrative mirrors, symbolizing both betrayal and healing.
4.Circular Structure
The novel begins and ends with kite running, symbolizing Amir’s full-circle journey—from guilt to redemption.
The final words (“For you, a thousand times over”) echo Hassan’s line, showing Amir’s transformation.
5.Climactic Turning Points
The rape scene is the central traumatic event.
The call from Rahim Khan (“There is a way to be good again”) initiates Amir’s moral reckoning.
The fight with Assef symbolizes Amir’s physical and emotional confrontation with his past.
