AP Worthy?

When one thinks of a novel that would typically be studied in an AP English class, what comes to mind is usually a dense book with a convoluted plot that contains the most subtle themes that can only be picked out by reading with a fine toothed comb.  This kind of book, however, is not the only brand of novel worthy of being AP material.  For the past few weeks I have been thoroughly enjoying reading The Kite Runner. Unlike all other prior experiences with assigned books, I actually enjoy reading it.  For the first time in my life when I reach the required amount of pages for the week, I willingly continue on with the story.  Even though the themes and motifs of the book are easily distinguished, the author is still able to convey a moving, complex story.  The relationships created between characters capture the essence of Afghan society and culture, while also showing emotions that all people can relate to.  The relationships Amir has with his father and Hassan are especially important and can be used as examples in AP writing passages.   Also the author has created the story as if it is a circle with symmetry which is an aspect worthy of analysis.  

The reason why I have such an appreciation for this story is because of how masterfully the characters have been created.  The emotions that Amir feels, you cannot help but experience yourself.  The guilt and regret he feels for mistreating Hassan are emotions that could easily be applicable to AP writing prompts.  During our AP English mid term this year I was so tempted to use The Kite Runner as an example but restrained myself because I do not know what the end result of this guilt will be.  A perhaps even more relevant character relationship would be that between Amir and his father.  Their relationship perfectly shows one were the child idolizes the parent, but does not receive all the attention they crave.  This seems to be an age-old dynamic and having a novel devoted to it would be a valuable asset to call upon in an AP setting.  The idolization of Baba and his and Amir’s strained relationship can be further analyzed.   When the two go off to America we see a strange shift in which they before more loving and comfortable with each other.   The writer uses their new life in America to show how their relationship is evolving.  The characters and their relationships with each other can be analyzed at an AP level and used as examples in AP exams.

A new stylistic technique that I am now noticing especially in this past reading is that the story is developing symmetry.  The book begins in Kabul with Amir and Hassan as children.  Amir recalls often visiting a pomegranate tree, in which he and Hassan carve “’Amir and Hassan, the sultans of Kabul.’”(pg. 27).  He also mentions how the tree was full of fruit and how he “climbed its branches and snatched its bloodred pomegranates.”  Decades later Amir returns to the tree and recalls Hassan’s letter to him, “ Hassan had said in his letter that the pomegranate tree hadn’t borne fruit in years.  Looking at the wilted, lifeless tree, I doubted it ever would again.” (pg. 264)  The state of the tree not only reflects the mood of the scene but also shows how childhood is finite and Amir’s days of reading to Hassan in that tree are over.  Another example of the author’s purposefully circular story is how Ali came into Baba’s life because he was an orphan and Baba’s father felt that it was his duty to raise him like a son.  I am not sure of this yet, but I think a safe prediction is that Amir is going to adopt Sohrab, much like his grandfather raised Ali.  In both cases two grown men with established lives choose to lovingly raise a Hazara boy out of a sense of duty.  What makes me confident in this prediction is because of something a hotel owner says to Amir while he is frantically looking for Sohrab, “’I don’t take your money,” he said bowing by me.  “I will drive you because I am a father like you.”’ (pg. 315)  This stylistic device and attention to detail is exactly what the AP course teaches you to look for, which is why The Kite Runner is eligible to be an  AP book and is one that I highly recommend.