I've finally figured out what the significance of the book cover is. I've come to the part in the novel where Amir and Hassan win the kite-fighting tournament, and Hassan goes to run the blue kite. It just so happens that the blue kite belongs to Assef. Hassan gets the blue kite, but gets chased into an alleyway where Assef and his friends beat and rape Hassan. Amir doesn't step in to stand up for him, he just peaks around the corner of the alleyway. The book cover is Amir peaking around that corner, but not helping Hassan, even though Hassan went through all of that just to bring the kite back to Amir. This part of the book was approximately twenty pages, and I just couldn't put it down. It's so terrible and heart-breaking. This book cover symbolizes the event that will change Amir and Hassan's lives forever.
You got it! How does it affect Amir? - we already know from the first page of the novel!
ReplyDeleteThis image of Amir standing and peeking into the alley is one that will stay in his head for years.
ReplyDelete"I realize I have been peaking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years."
When i first read this line it meant nothing to me, but now it means everything. It is a symbol of the most important theme and quest in the entire novel which is Amir's guilt. After the incident happens with Hassan, Amir is never the same and Hassan and Amir's relationship suffers because of it. Amir has to confess to Hassan about his terrible wrongs.