3. Tone

"I couldn't tell if he was waving at me or Hassan" (pg 61). "And maybe, just maybe, I would finally be pardoned for killing my mother" (pg 56).

Throughout the novel, I sense from Amir a sense of jealousy, guilt, and a desire to be wanted. His jealousy arises from the idea that Baba and Amir have difficulty relating. Baba said it himself, he does not understand why Amir is so interested in books, and why he cannot play soccer. Not only that but Baba wants to include Hassan in many activities they do, leading to Amir to have to fight for his father's attention more. Also, the man is quite popular and busy in his business affairs. This jealousy, is ultimately rooted in guilt. Amir believes his father is upset that his mother died in childbirth, which he consider his fault. Which he believes is the reason the two are so distant from each other. Which ultimately leads to Amir wanting the blue kite, and Hassan retrieving it for him, which leads to the awful scene that still lives in Amir's mind. Which he ultimately feels guilty for and cannot leave in the past. It is ultimately an unending cycle of guilt for Amir.