II。 The Pursuit of Freedom in The Kite Runner
2。1 The Pursuit of Physical Freedom
In The Kite Runner, Amir and his father had a strong awareness of freedom。 When they were oppressed in Afghanistan, they were courageous enough to pursue freedom, which vividly expresses the theme of the novel —the pursuit of freedom。
In 1979, the Soviet Union military intervened in Afghanistan and the whole country gradually was in a state of complete chaos。 The trees were cut, the houses were burned and residents were killed casually。 Gunshots and cannon were here and there。 People in Afghanistan lived in panic and fear, they could not guarantee whether they could live until tomorrow。 Under such occasion, Baba, who had a high social status and owned lots of money could even not have a basic human right。
In March 1981, the war was still going on。 Amir and Baba realized that their freedom was deprived, so they were planning to escape from Afghanistan。 But the way to escape was not smooth as expected。 They hid in the tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck with some strangers。 Unfortunately, while moving forward, two soldiers stopped their truck。 To let the truck come by, the Russian soldiers proposed a demand: to have a half hour with the lady in the back of the truck。 Baba was annoyed, although he did not know that lady。 He stood up and asked the Russian officer where his shame was。 This annoyed the Russian soldier, so the soldier put the gun to Baba’s chest。 Moments later, came another Russian, he apologized for his comrade’s behavior and let the truck go。文献综述
Amir and Baba successfully escaped to Fremont, California, where they settled in a run-down apartment。 Compared with the villa in Afghanistan, the apartment was a little shabby; however, it rendered them a feeling of safety。 Baba found a job at a gas station, although this job could not provide them with a high social status, they were at least treated equally。 “Baba loved the idea of America” (Hosseini, 2004:136)。 After graduation, Amir took classes at San Jose State University to improve his writing skills。 Every Sunday, Baba and Amir made extra money by selling used goods at a flea market。 There, Amir met a beautiful girl, Soraya Taheri。 Soon they fell in love and settled down in a happy marriage。
Escaping from Afghanistan to America during the war is not an easy thing。 But Amir and Baba were brave enough to overcome all the difficulties。 Because they knew only in this way, would they get freedom and human rights at last。 By comparison the life of Amir and Baba in Afghanistan and America, readers can easily realize that the life with freedom is more wonderful。
2。2 The Pursuit of Spiritual Freedom
The “kite” is mentioned throughout the novel。 It is an important image in the Kite Runner, which symbolizes the spiritual freedom。
Amir’s spiritual freedom can be seen from the kite。 In the beginning of the story, there was a kite match in Afghanistan。 Amir and Hassan both participated in it。 Amir’s kite was cut off and fell to a far place, Hassan run quickly and got the kite but was threaten by several bad boys。 Even so, Hassan resisted giving up the kite for Amir’s honor and was subjected to a huge humiliation—Hassan got raped in the alley。 Amir was outside that alley, he saw the whole course of the incident but he just let it go。
Hassan knew, he knew I’d seen everything in that alley, that I’d stood there and done nothing。 He knew I had betrayed him and yet he was rescuing me once again。 (Hosseini, 2004:86)
After this thing, Amir’s inner heart was oppressed and he was so shameful for himself。 However, Hassan still put great trust on Amir as usual, which made Amir afraid of facing his guilt and Hassan’s loyal eyes。 In order to get himself relieved and forget this thing, Amir came up an idea to drive Hassan away。 对自由的追求《追风筝的人》主题分析(3):http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_131921.html