Tells the reader he has always been a kite

fighter, even though he has been separated

from the hobby since his childhood.
Alliteration
Variation of Syntax

Describes the
process of kite
fighting

Emphasizes the idea of Amir having power

and taking control for once in the novel.

Personification

I did it perfectly. After all these years. The old lift-and-dive trap. I loosened my grip and tugged on the
string, dipping and dodging the green kite. A series of quick sidearm jerks and our kite shot up
counterclockwise, in a half circle. Suddenly I was on top. The green kite was scrambling now, panicstricken. But it was too late. Id already slipped him Hassans trick. I pulled hard and our kite
Still values
Hassans
plummeted. I could almost feel our string sawing his. Almost heard the snap.
Then, just like that, the green kite was spinning and wheeling out of control.
Behind us, people cheered. Whistles and applause broke out. I was panting. The last time I had felt
a rush like this was that day in the winter of 1975, just after I had cut the last kite, when I spotted
Baba on our rooftop, clapping, beaming.

Reliving a happy part

of his childhood
meaning hes on his
way to redemption

I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so.
Variation of
Syntax
Emphasizes
the
importance
of Sohrabs
smile

A smile.
Lopsided.
Hardly there.

friendship and
the memories
that were
made between
them.

The smile marks the

beginning of Sohrabs
recovery in Amirs
mind.

Descriptive
Language

But there.
Behind us, kids were scampering, and a melee of screaming kite runners was chasing the lose kite
drifting high above the trees. I blinked and the smile was gone. But it had been there. I had seen it.
Do you want me to run that kite for you?

As if he was about to say something

His Adams apple rose and fell as he swallowed. The wind lifted his hair. I thought I saw him nod.
Says it
unconsciously
as it came
naturally for
him to say.

For you, a thousand times over, I heard myself say.

Then I turned and ran.

Has paid off his penance and found his

redemption. This part brings out the
good of his guilty past.

It was only a smile, nothing more. It didnt make

everything all right. It didnt make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods,
shaking in the wake of a startled birds flight.
But Ill take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a
time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting.
I ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But I didnt care. I ran with the
wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips.
I ran.

Repetition of I ran

Simile

Connotative/Symbolic

Amir is running towards a new connection with

Hassan and his son. This shows a change in his
character as he previously ran AWAY from the
past.

Amir is finally freed himself

from guilt, as he compares his
smile to being as wide as a
Valley back in Afghanistan.

A part of Amirs home

that carried good
memories.

Personification

Descriptive Language
This line of the story
gives explanation for
how the impact of
Sohrabs small smile
was such a big thing for
Amir. He describes it
like a leaf drifting as a
bird flies away, which is
a minor event that
people dont really
notice and pay
attention too.