Chapter One
This short opening introduces the underlying theme of the past and looking back. From this, we understand that the story is being told from its end point with hindsight. "December 2001" takes us back to the phone call, and then even further back to 1975. The novel is told through a series of extended flashbacks.
"I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid, overcast day in the winter of 1975" - Present tense, but looking back.
Tells us that an important, significant event happened that changed who he is.
Barthe's Engima Code.
The repetition of "I" in this first paragraph - first person narrative - unreliable narrator - first person perspective = biased.
"Because the past claws its way out", invokes an image of something dead rising from its grave, with it being animalistic and uncontrollable. There is a sense of Amir feeling haunted by this repressed memory, clearly powerful, violent and traumatic. This foreshadows and gives an insight into what is to come.
"There is a way to be good again", one of the most significant quotes from the novel, outlines the general themes of the novel, and its importance to Amir - to atone for his sins.
"Hassan's voice whispered in my head: for you, a thousand times over. Hassan the harelipped kite runner" - A sense that Hassan is always there with the narrator. We are introduced to Hassan's name before any other - suggests importance of character.
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