Running a Kite Around the Room

Since the emergence of literature, thousands upon thousands of characters have graced our imaginations. From trouble maker Bart Simpson of the celebrated cartoon television series The Simpsons to Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen’s renowned novel Pride and Prejudice, the world has witnessed a plethora of characters in literature. Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, and Billy Collins, distinguished American poet, as well as countless other authors, share the utilization of characters in their literary works. The manner in which these authors use the literary element of characters varies immensely.

As discussed in Thomas C. Foster’s novel How to Read Literature Like a Professor, a Christ figure embodies characteristics resembling those of Jesus Christ. Foster makes this statement in his chapter dedicated to Christ figures, “we generally recognize, whatever our religious affiliation, some of the features that make Christ who he is” (119). The Kite Runner has a Christ figure of its very own. Hassan, Amir’s devoted and loyal servant, denotes a character that is self-sacrificing and very forgiving. Also, as a result of his rape, he silently writhes in agony. Hassan’s altercation in the alley by Assef and his minions represents a confrontation with the devil. The vignette involving Hassan and Amir in the field days after the rape alludes to the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. In route to Calvary, people spat, mocked, and injured Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, Jesus had not acted in frightened or concerned manner. Amir describes the red from the pomegranates he threw at Hassan as “red dripping down his face like blood”. Hassan responded “Are you satisfied? Do you feel better?” (Hosseini 93). This proves that, s...

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...e of literary works. Foster dedicates an entire chapter of his book to how novels have common plots and themes to fairy tales. The fairy tale Peter Pan entails a young boy with magical powers, refusing to grow up. Collins at a younger age coincides with the fairy tale character Peter Pan.

Khaled Hosseini and Billy Collins, two phenomenal American writers, utilize the elements character and tone in their literary works. Hosseini takes a more serious and confessional tone in his novel The Kite Runner. Hassan, a Christ figure, plays a large role in setting that tone. Every story may not have a Christ figure but when reading, but why not try to find a Peter Pan or another fairy tale character? Collins relies more on humor but incorporates deep meanings in his poems. He encourages the reader to use their own judgment when finding the characters in many of his poems.