prompts for Kite Runner essay

Essay Assignment #2 – Literary Analysis of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner

Write a four-to five-page literary analysis essay on one topic from the list below. 

1. Discuss the significance of kites in the novel. Consider both the function and symbolic significance of the kites. How do the traditions and practices of kite fighting and kite running portrayed in The Kite Runner express cultural values and replicate aspects of Afghanistan’s ethnic caste system?
2. Discuss the significance of giving and receiving gifts in The Kite Runner.  Consider both the function and symbolic significance of the gifts. How does the practice of giving gifts evolve over the course of the novel? How does the theme of gift giving enhance the main themes of the novel?
3. Compare and contrast the relationship between Soraya and her father with the relationship between Amir and his father. How do these relationships evolve from childhood through adulthood? How are these relationships affected by traditional attitudes about gender.

4. Could Amir and Hassan ever be true friends in the Western sense? What were the challenges their friendship faced: cultural, class, and personal? 

      5.  Hassan’s death could be looked as a suicide. He left his son without a father, which – given the hurt that missing parents caused both he and Amir – seemed like a bewildering and even selfish act. Defend or argue against this statement, using examples to make your point: Hassan had no choice but to return to Baba’s house where in the end he refused to flee the Taliban.

You may propose a topic of your own. However, you must get it approved by your instructor before you begin writing. 

Your essay 

• Should contain a clear thesis statement asserting your view, evaluation, or interpretation of a narrowly defined, focused aspect of your topic.
• Should abide by the conventions of writing about literature (e.g. use the present tense to describe fictional events and avoid attributing motive to the author).
• Should draw on detailed, concrete, specific evidence from the text of Kite Runner. Be sure to include in-text citations following direct quotations and specific text references. Example: According to Amir, “Winter was every kid’s favorite season in Kabul” (Hosseini 48).
• May include research material, as long as you cite your sources properly. However, you are not required to use research, and your evidence should consist primarily of your own analysis of the text.  

Bring a printed copy of your paper to class AND submit it electronically to Turnitin.com before class!

Ideas About Thesis Statements

THE THESIS STATEMENT

The thesis is the ONE sentence that contains

the foundation, the premise, the argument

you are presenting to your readers.

It is the core of the essay.

Strive to make it strong and clear.

ELEMENTS OF THESIS:

• It must be ARGUABLE.

This means it presents an opinion, an argument, or an illustration of a view or experience.  It is not a mere statement of fact.

• It must ADDRESS the TOPIC.

While this element seems obvious too, writers often get going and one thought leads to another and another and the topic gets left behind. Re-read the prompt several times to make sure you haven’t gone off topic beyond the parameters of the assignment.

• It must be specific enough to be covered in the paper.

What is the length of the assignment: two pages? ten pages? The length determines how broad or narrow the scope of your thesis will be. Adjust accordingly.

• It must MAKE SENSE.

This is the catch-all element that asks you to re-consider your wording, syntax, diction, and grammar. Make changes as you see fit.