Khaled Hosseini's novel is titled The Kite Runner because this is a story about Amir, the main character trying to redeem himself after he betrayed his best friend. As the reader continues through the exceptional novel, they will discover the true meaning of the title.
Amir and Hassan make a great team and enter the kite contest in Kabul. Assef, who is a neighborhood bully in Kabul rapes Hassan in a dark alley while Hassan went to capture the kite for Amir. Amir witnesses this assault, but does nothing to aid his best friend. The kite symbolizes Hassan's loyalty toward Amir and also Amir's past in Afghanistan. Also the kite is a symbol of freedom, The rape is a significant scene in this novel because Amir can no longer live with himself and causes Hassan and his father Ali to leave Baba and Amir's home after twenty years. Throughout the rest of novel it is Amir's journey to rectify
We later learn that Hassan was Amir’s brother, and was separated at birth. Hassan is found dead and Amir has to travel back to Afghanistan now that he is living in the United States to find his long lost nephew, Sohrab. Amir will stop at nothing to find Sohrab in honor of his brother. Amir terrorized Hassan's life as a child and now he has to help Hassan, by finding Sohrab.
Amir travels to an orphanage in Afghanistan, where he learns that Sohrab is in the custody of Assef. Amir rescues Sohrab after a terrible beating from Assef, and they escape back to America. In America Sohrab will not speak to anyone, but Amir will not tolerate Sohrab being upset. Finally the way that Sohrab opens up is when he flies a kite with his uncle Amir, just as Hassan and Amir did.