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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of The Kite Runner starts nostalgic and regretful. Looking backward from his present in California, Amir thinks about how his days as an adult are shaped by his memories of childhood in Kabul. From the first chapter, the narrator looks back at his past with a mixture of longing and shame.
This mood of unsettled guilt sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Hosseini quickly shows that the guilt Amir feels about betraying Hassan is the primary force that drives the novel’s plot forward. Amir's choices and failures, even as a child, are never presented lightly. Instead, the first-person narrator’s tone remains heavy and self-critical. This is especially true during scenes in which Amir confronts the consequences of his actions (both as a child and as an adult).
As the story progresses, moments of hope for Amir’s redemption appear, particularly when Amir returns to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and tries to rescue Sohrab. However, although these moments of hope break through the heavier atmosphere, they do not erase the underlying sense of loss. Amir is mourning for the Kabul of his childhood as much as he is for the way he let down Hassan.
As the novel progresses, the voice of the narrator “matures” alongside the narrator’s personal growth. In the early chapters, Amir’s narrative voice rings with childhood naivety and selfishness. His descriptions of events show how limited his understanding of loyalty, fairness, and responsibility is. As he grows older and faces the outcomes of his betrayal, his tone shifts toward greater self-awareness and acceptance. By the final chapters of The Kite Runner, Amir’s tone has taken on a deeper sense of accountability. He understands and grieves for the damage caused by his earlier actions. Hosseini uses this evolution of Amir’s tone to show how guilt, if faced directly, can lead to change rather than resulting in permanent despair. Every change in Amir’s tone reflects a step forward in his struggle to accept the past and his attempt to find a way to make peace with it.
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