《追风筝的人》中成长和救赎的 主题研究

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1、 THE STUDY OF GROWTH AND REDEMPTION IN THE KITE RUNNER A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES (ENGLISH MAJOR) YUNNAN MINZU UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS BY LIU FENG CLASS OF 2017 STUDENT CODE: 2013084013

2、17 SUPERVISED BY DING XUE APRIL 28 , 2017 云南民族大学毕业论文(设计)原创性声明 本人郑重声明：所呈交的毕业论文(设计)，是本人在指导教师的指导下进行研究工作所取得的成果。除论文中已经注明引用的内容外，本论文没有抄袭、剽窃他人已经发表的研究成果。本声明的法律结果由本人承担。 毕业论文(设计)作者签名： 日 期： 年 月 日 …………………………………………………………………………… 关于毕业论文(设计)使

3、用授权的说明 本人完全了解云南民族大学有关保留、使用毕业论文(设计)的规定，即：学校有权保留、送交论文的复印件，允许论文被查阅，学校可以公布论文(设计)的全部或部分内容，可以采用影印或其他复制手段保存论文(设计)。 （保密论文在解密后应遵守） 指导教师签名： 论文(设计)作者签名： 日期： 年 月 日 ii Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during th

4、e writing of this thesis. The first person I want to thank is my supervisor, Ding Xue, who supports me and provides me with many important information through my thesis writing. More importantly, supervisor spent much time reading through read graft and gave me a lot of advice on my thesis. Without

5、her guidance at every stage of writing, it is impossible to complete my thesis. Then I will express my gratitude to other teachers and classmates who helped me with the writing. They helped me to collect information and give me advice. Sometimes we work together to find new ideas. Finally, I will si

6、ncerely thank my father, mother and my sister. When I am confused they give me full support and encouragement. Abstract “The Kite Runner” is the first American novel written by Afghan-born writer Khaled Husseini in 2003. His novels have received high praise from

7、the public. This thesis analyzes The Kite Runner from the aspects of growth and redemption. 12-year-old rich young master Amir and the servant Hassan take part in the kite tournament. In order to retrieve the kite which is won by Amir in the tournament, Hassan is attacked and raped by Assef. The cow

8、ardly Amir witnesses everything but chooses to keep silent. Furthermore, in order to cover up the inner guilt and uneasiness, Amir devised a tactic to drive away Hassan and his father. Later, for the political unrest in Afghanistan, Amir and his father flee to the United States. 26 years later, a ca

9、ll from Rahim Khan let Amir face the past and save himself. When Amir returns to Afghanistan, Hassan has been dead for a long time. Amir saved Hassan’s son Sohrab, and he brings Sohrab to America to live. Amir finishes his own redemption journey. This thesis is divided into five parts. The fir

10、st chapter introduces the main content, the author, the literature review and the research significance of The Kite Runner. The second chapter introduces the guides and companions in the process of Amir’s growth. The third chapter introduces the redemption journey of Amir. The fourth chapter introdu

11、ces the writing skills used in The Kite Runner, and the last chapter is the summary of the full thesis. Key words: The Kite Runner; growth; redemption v 摘 要 《追风筝的人》是美籍阿富汗作家卡勒德·胡塞尼在2003年发表的第一部小说，该部小说自问世以来就获得了很高的赞誉，深受文学界好评。本论文将从成长和救赎的角度来分析《追风筝的人》的主题。十二岁的富家少爷阿米尔和仆人哈桑一起参加风筝比赛。哈桑为了捡回阿

12、米尔在比赛中赢得的风筝，被阿塞夫毒打和强暴。懦弱的阿米尔设计赶走了哈桑和他的父亲。后来阿富汗的政治动荡不安，阿米尔随父亲逃到美国。20多年后，拉辛汗打来的电话让阿米尔重新面对过去，并救赎自己。阿米尔重返阿富汗，此时哈桑已死，他救下哈桑的遗孤索拉博，并将他带去美国生活，完成了自己的救赎之旅。 本文分为五个部分，第一章介绍了《追风筝的人》的主要内容，作者，文献综述以及研究意义；第二章介绍了阿米尔在成长过程中遇到的指导者和同伴；第三章介绍了阿米尔的救赎旅程；第四章介绍了《追风筝的人》中运用的第一人称的写作技巧，最后一章是全文总结。 关键词：成长；救赎；《追风筝的人》 C

13、ontents 云南民族大学毕业论文（设计）原创性声明 ⅰ Acknowledgments ⅱ Abstract ⅲ 摘要 ⅳ 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Khaled Hosseini as the Author 1 1.2 Literature Review on The Kite Runner 1 1.3 The Brief Content of The Kite Runner 2 1.4 The Significance of the study 2 2. The Guides and Companions in Amir’s G

14、rowth 4 2.1 Positive Spiritual Guides 4 2.1.1 Rahim Khan: a ‘Father’, Friend and Guide 4 2.1.2 Baba: A Kind, Upright but Contradictory Man 4 2.2 Negative Initiation Guides 5 2.2.1 Assef: Aggressive and Cruel Racist 5 2.2.2 Pushtun Nation: Deep-rooted Racial Discrimination 6

15、 2.3 Initiation Companions 6 2.3.1 Hassan: A Companion in Ami’s Childhood 7 2.3.2 Soraya: A Companion in Amir’s Adulthood 7 3. Redemption as a Spritual Journey 9 3.1 The Darkness within Amir’s Mind 9 3.1.1 Selfishness 9 3.1.2 Betrayal 10 3. 2 The Redemption 10 3.2.

16、1 Redemption for His Father 11 3.2.2 Redemption for Himself 11 4. Writing Skills in The Kite Runner 13 4.1 Open-ending 13 4.2 First-person Narration 13 4.3 Symbolism 14 5. Conclusion 15 References 17 1. Introduction 1.1 Khaled Hosseini as the Author Khaled Hosseini was born on

17、March 4, 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan, followed by his father moved to the United States. He has many famous works such as The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and the mountains Echoed. Works sold over 40 million worldwide. Husseini graduated from the University of California, San Diego Departme

18、nt of Medicine, now lives in California. Needy families make Hosseini decided to study medicine to support their families. He thinks becoming a doctor is an ideal job for him. After writing, his patient will talk about the story in book when he makes an appointment with him. So he decided to give up

19、 the medical profession, to concentrate on writing. Many people become loyal fans of The Kite Runner after it issued in 2003. Until now, the book was published in 48 countries and became an international bestseller. His second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, which was published on May 22, 2007, als

20、o gained a lot of praises from the literatus. 1.2 Literature Review on The Kite Runner Since the publication, The Kite Runner took two years to reach the top of the book sales list. After introduced China, The Kite Runner also continued in the list of the top bestseller. As a result of the short p

21、eriod of time after publishing few studies have been done on it. “To Be Good” (again): The Kite Runner as Allegory of Global Ethics” is the only research article written by Dr. David Jefferess (2009) in Journal of Postcolonial Writing. The author used Mamdani’s analysis of the distinguished between

22、 the “good Muslin” and “bad Muslin” He argues that The Kite Runner reflects a shift from the supremacy of race and nation as primary markers of political community and identify to the “modern” as the framework for determining the “human” Domestic studies about the novel focus on the aspects such as

23、 love, growth, betrayal, redemption, symbolism. Zhang Guolong and Chen Hui’s study as an example, Betrayal, Redemption, and other Things in the Progress of Growth-Profound Depiction of Growth in The Kite Runner (2007). This study explores the temperature and thickness of human nature, and it illustr

24、ates the love and evil of human nature. Some scholars put the focus of the study on the symbolic meaning of the kite. To Jiang Xiaoqing “a Symbol for Initiation and Reconciliation” as the representative. In her study, she described in detail the symbolic meaning of the kite image in The Kite Runner.

25、 1.3 The Brief Content of The Kite Runner The story took place in Afghanistan, 12-year-old master Amir and his servant Hassan were good friends. However, after a kite tournament, they won the championship, in order to retrieve the kite which was won by Amir in the tournament, Hassan was attacked a

26、nd raped by Assef. The cowardly Amir witnessed everything but chose to kept silent. After that, Amir and Hassan rarely played together. As Amir felt guilty to Hassan, he wanted to drive Hassan and Hassan’s father Ali away. So Amir bought a new watch into the house of Hassan. Later, when Hassan was a

27、sked whether he had stolen Amir’s watch, Hassan admitted. Amir thought Baba would be so furious to that he would let Hassan and Ali go, but Baba forgave Hassan. Then Ali asked to leave. As Ali was adopted by Amir’s grandfather, and Amir’s grandfather also regarded Ali as his own. Baba and Ali were l

28、ike brothers. So Baba did not agree them to leave, but in the end Ali and Hassan still left. Soon after, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Amir and Baba fled to the United States. Baba’s friend Rahim Khan did not want to leave the homeland, so he decided to help Baba take care of the house. Adult

29、Amir can never, ever forgive himself to Hassan’s betrayal. In order to make up for childhood mistakes, Amir returned to his hometown after 26 years. But he knew a shocking lie from the sick Rahim Khan’s mouth, Hassan was the son of Amir’s father and the other woman, that is, childhood partner was ac

30、tually Amir’s brother, the child who was purchased from orphanage by Assef was Amir’s nephew. Childhood nightmare repeated itself, he eventually gone through hardships, he rescued his nephew and took him back home to the USA. 1.4 The Significance of the study The Kite Runner is a typical novel of

31、growth and redemption. This thesis hopes by analyzing the protagonist Amir’s growth process to encourage those people, who were shackled by the “kite”, to face fault bravely, take the responsibility after making mistakes, and try to make up for the mistakes. Whether it is self-redemption or redempti

32、on, he or she can realize the true spirit of redemption. By the deep analysis of growth and redemption in The Kite Runner, I hope to fully illustrate that the human nature can be changed by environment, and can be redeemed. 14 2. The Guides and Companions in Amir’s Growth 2.1 Positive Spiri

33、tual Guides In the initiation story, the positive and active initiation guides. As the positive initiation guides will influence the protagonist. They form positive images in the novel, and they will educate or inspire the protagonist in the protagonist’s growth process. According to Rui Yuping (20

34、04), the positive initiation guides generally have the following characteristics: first, the positive initiation guides can have a good communication with young person; second, the positive initiation guides are willing to help others and full of compassion; third, the positive initiation guides are

35、 special. Those young people always be unconsciously attracted and become good friends with them. 2.1.1 Rahim Khan: a ‘Father’, Friend and Guide Rahim Khan not only has business contacts with Baba, but also is a good friend of Baba. He plays a key role like a mother in The Kite Runner. Amir lacks

36、maternal tenderness, patience and carefulness. And Racine Khan more or less makes up a little. Sometimes Baba is cold to Amir, Racine Khan will give Amir warm and encouragement. After Amir writes a story, the people whom thinks of him first to read is Baba and he excitedly shows to Baba, Baba only n

37、od and give him a shallow smile, which imply little interest. He does not offer to read. Rahim Khan who save Amir at the uneasy moment. He patiently read Amir wrote the story, give him advice, send him to encourage him to write his notebook. “Then he pauses and adds a single word that do more to enc

38、ourage me to pursue writing than any compliment any editor has ever paid me. That word was Bravo” (Khaled Hosseini, 2007: 35). This small piece of thesis in some time encouraged Amir, but also paved the way of writing to Amir. When Baba denied Amir’s efforts, it was Racine Khan’s persistence to let

39、Amir go on the way of writing. After fleeing to the United States, Amir became the writer of the bestseller through his own efforts! 26 years later, it is also Rahim Khan who encouraged Amir to come back and redeem himself. As a positive guide, the importance of it is to guide the protagonist to th

40、e right direction and help him solve the problems encountered in the growth process. 2.1.2 Baba: A Kind, Upright but Contradictory Man Baba is a compassionate person. He works the drawing of the orphanage and builds the orphanage by himself. Although he does not come into contact with architectur

41、e, but he builds the grand blueprint and successfully completed. Amir is extremely proud of Baba. Baba is righteous and admirable, his benevolent disposition often made him to help those who are in trouble, and those who are helped are very grateful to him. On the way Baba and Amir fleeing to the Un

42、ited States, Baba see a woman being insulted by a Russian soldier, who risk his life and save the woman. Baba’s bravery and integrity affect Amir deeply. This event inspires Amir to save Sohrab from Assef. Every man has his fault. Although Baba gives Amir great guidance in some aspects, he also has

43、 his own evil. Rahim Khan told Amir that Baba and Hassan’s mother have an ambiguous relationship. Hassan is not the son of the servant Ali, but Amir’s half-brother. Baba betrayed intimate friend, and lost social morality. Dad lived in pain and guilt. He thinks he is like a thief. Baba not only steal

44、s the right to fairness, but also steals the right of Ali and Hassan to know the truth. He has been trying to make up for his own evil. For example, he treats Hassan as well as, and he treats Ali like his family. Baba’s good character has a positive impact on the growth of Amir, such as integrity, k

45、indness and so on. At the same time, Baba does not give up the atonement, which also encourage Amir to face the past bravely, to make up for their own mistakes. 2.2 Negative Initiation Guides In the protagonist’s growth process, the impact of the protagonist’s growth is not only positive guides, b

46、ut also negative guides. 2.2.1 Assef: Aggressive and Cruel Racist In The Kite Runner, Assef plays a negative role. When Assef is a child he often bullies others, even if those people are older than him. The children are forced to yield to him even with him to bully others. His stainless steel bro

47、nze knuckles as his weapon are terrible. His words are law. If the child disobeys him, Assef will beat them until they throw in and yield. His violence is like an adult. As a Taliban member, he executes the man and woman by stoning for adultery, which is cruel and bloody. Assef hates all the Hazara,

48、 and he thinks they are dirty. He is also hostile to the people who take the Hazaras in, including Baba and Amir. When he joins the Taliban and becomes their members, Assef, like Hitler, liked the massacre of Hazara. In the novel, Assef plays an important role in Amir to Hassan’s behavior. Assef rap

49、ed Hassan, cowardly Amir did not dare to save Hassan. Later Amir and Hasan had a gap. Assef causes Amir to make the wrong choice, and Amir live in pain and guilt for many years later due to the choice. 26 years later, Amir chose to bravely face his sin. he bravely rescues Sohrab from the hands of As

50、sef, which is also to save himself. 2.2.2 Pushtun Nation: Deep-rooted Racial Discrimination After reading the Kite Runner, we can find that every social class will exclude and discriminate against the Hazara people. This is a deep-rooted racial discrimination. Amir will inevitably be affected due

51、to living in such a social environment. When Amir was a child, he tried to understand the Hazara people. But he looked for many textbooks and did not find any knowledge about Hazara. In this book, Ali’s right leg is distorted and shrunk, so his walking posture is weird and gimpy. The children often

52、 make fun of him, and they even imitate his walking posture. Ali is an orphan, adopted by Amir’s grandfather. He has been with Baba growing up, just like Hassan accompanying Amir. Their relationship is like a family. When Baba and Amir flee to the United States, Baba can sacrifice his life to save a

53、 unknown lady, but he does not dare to admit Hassan is his own son. The public exclusion of the Hazara people is always reflected. As a result of racial discrimination, Amir subconsciously did not regard Hassan as his good friend. When they have a visitor, he never plays with Hassan. And sometimes

54、Amir will bully Hassan, although Hassan does not care about this. “Because history isn’t easy to overcome. Neither is religion. In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi’a, and nothing was ever going to change that Nothing” (Khaled Hosseini, 2007: 27). From here we

55、can see that the racial dispute and discrimination are deep-rooted, which is a nation’s tragedy. At the end of the novel, Amir saves Hassan’s son-Sohrab, and takes him to America. He treats Sohrab like his loved ones. It shows that he has a new recognition about race and achieves a real growth from

56、 heart. 2.3 Initiation Companions In The Kite Runner, Hassan and Soraya, who accompanied Amir in different periods. They played vital roles in the growth of Amir. 2.3.1 Hassan: A Companion in Amir’s Childhood Hassan is a brave boy, while courage is what young Amir lacks. When the neighborhood bo

57、ys push down Amir, or rob his toys, Amir dare not resist. Hassan always bravely takes the toys back and fight with them for Amir. Hassan is never afraid of others bullying, he can go to fight for Amir Hassan is very loyal to his master-Amir and never betrays. The first word that Hassan speaks i

58、s Amir. Whatever Amir asks Hassan to do, Hassan never refuses. When he was framed when he stole watch, he knew that everything was planned by Amir, but he did not say it. In the kite competition, Hassan goes to chase the blue kite. He knows the importance of this kite to Amir. Despite Arthur’s fight

59、 and rape, he also clenched the kite. After the outbreak of war, Hassan died in the hands of the Taliban in order to guard Amir’s house. Hassan achieves his commitment to Amir in one life “for you, a thousand time over”. Hassan had a poor life experience, but he was very kind and generous. When he

60、was born, his mother looked at him and refused to hold him. After five days, she followed a group of wandering singers to run. Before she leaving, she only casts one glance at Hassan. Because Hassan’s mother is dissolute and indecent, Hassan is often teased. But Hassan never fights with others for t

61、hese words. Hassan helps Amir to find out his weakness in his character like a mirror. Courage, loyalty, forgiveness and kindness are the things Amir learns in his initiation process from Hassan. 2.3.2 Soraya: A Companion in Amir’s Adulthood After Baba and Amir fled to the United States, Amir g

62、radually adapted to the life of the United States, and he met his true-lover Soraya. Soraya fall profoundly in love with Amir after one quick glance, Unfortunately, Baba had cancer. Before Baba died, Amir married Soraya. Soraya was Amir’s wife. She is a kind and loving woman. When she is in fourth g

63、rade, she teaches her maidservant to read and write so that she could write letters to her relatives by herself. When the servant can do it, she feels very proud. Because of these things she became more determined to be a teacher. This makes Amir felt a shame, because he uses his literacy to tease H

64、assan. He even has the opinion that there is no use for a servant to the written word. Soraya is a gentle and kind woman. She also has painful past experiences to tell Amir. She and an Afghan man eloped at her eighteen years old. Four months later, she was brought home by her father. The family als

65、o moved to another city to avoid the gossip. At this time she has lost chastity, which is very cherished in Afghanistan. So she is no longer precious like a virgin. But she never lied with Amir. Before marrying with Amir, she confessed to Amir. Amir was not so angry, but envied her courage. But Amir

66、 still cannot tell her story. Soraya supports Amir back to Afghanistan to save Sohrab in spirit and action. She is a good wife. After rescuing Sohrab, Amir told Soraya the truth. Soraya let Amir bring Sohrab back to the United States for life, because Sohrab is their family member. Soraya treats Sohrab like her own child, she is also a good mom. Soraya’s virtues and support influenced Amir, promoted Amir to complete his salvation. 3. Redemption as a Spiritual Journey Nobody is per