ABSTRACT

The Kite Runner depicts the initiation journey of an Afghan boy, Amir. The novel has received much attention and praise since its publication in 2003. So far, scholars and critics from home and abroad have discussed and analyzed this novel from various kinds of aspects. However, few of them place emphasis on a perspective of Bildungsroman. Thus, in accordance with three main characteristics of Bildungsroman stories, this essay will mainly focus on the following two aspects to analyze the The Kite Runner: firstly, the inevitable spiritual guides and companions in protagonist’s growth; secondly, the protagonist’s spiritual growth, growing from inner darkness to lightness, from mental innocence to maturity. Finally, this essay summarizes the contents that have been discussed and concludes that The Kite Runner is a typical Bildungsroman. 

Keywords: Bildungsroman; The Kite Runner; spiritual growth; guide; companion

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Previous Studies on Khaled Hosseini and The Kite Runner-3

2.2 Inadequacy of Previous Researches-4

2.3 Plan and Significance of Present Thesis-5

Chapter Three AN OVERVIEW OF BILDUNGSROMAN-6

3.1 Definitions of Bildungsroman-6

3.2 Characteristics of Bildungsroman-7

3.3 The Kite Runner as a Bildungsroman-8

Chapter Four SPIRITUAL GUIDES AND COMPANIONS IN AMIR’S INITIATION-10

4.1 Positive Spiritual Guides-10

4.1.1 Rahim Khan-10

4.1.2 Baba-11

4.1.3 Driver Farid-12

4.2 A Negative Spiritual and Behavioral Guide: Assef-13

4.3 Initiation Companions-13

4.3.1 Hassan-14

4.3.2 Soraya-15

Chapter Five AMIR’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH-16

5.1 Darkness in Amir’s Mind at an Early Age-16

5.1.1 Selfishness-16

5.1.2 Jealousy-17

5.1.3 Betrayal-17

5.2 Redemption upon Amir’s Growth-18

Chapter Six CONCLUSION-20

WORKS CITED-22