ABSTRACT
Afghanistan American writer Khaled Hosseini’ s virgin work Kite Runner is a typical growth novel, which is called bildungrsoman. It describes the story of a common Afghan boy’s growth, aiming to put forward the strategy of psychological redemption to save the tortuous humanity under the depression of the extreme religious concept in the sick Afghan society. The novel reflects the human nature through the description of the figures’ fate and the different society of Afghanistan and America. It tells people to bravely face their own weakness to avoid castigation and suffering of mind through Amir’s redemption. The kite of the novel symbolizes friendship, affection, justness, kindness, honesty, courage, wisdom. The pursuit of the kite means the pursuit of good humanity. This novel is shocking both for the depth of the human nature and the depth of writing in growth.
This paper analyzes social ethic and character conflicts during the war time in Afghanistan, discussing the friendship and betrayal between two young boys. Besides, the symbolism of kite is investigated. At last I analyze the relationship between the growth and his self-salvation，and regards that the hero had learned of his self salvation in the growth and growing up in salvation．We can learn that we will redeem and laugh at last only if we dare to confess and make up for mistakes.
Key words: Kite Runner; Khaled Hosseini; growth journey; salvation; humanity
摘 要
美籍阿富汗裔作家卡勒德·胡赛尼的处女作《追风筝的人》是一部典型的成长小说，通过描写一个普通的阿富汗男孩成长的故事，建构出一条心理救赎的策略，以治疗病态的阿富汗社会和在极端宗教理念压抑下扭曲的人性。作者通过对人物命运以及对阿富汗和美国两个截然不同社会的描写折射出人性的本质。小说通过阿米尔的救赎告诫人们要勇于面对自己人性中的缺点，以免受到心灵的鞭挞、愧疚、恐惧和折磨。小说中的风筝象征着友情、亲情、正义、善良、诚实以及勇敢、睿智等生命中最宝贵的东西，对风筝的追寻亦即对美好人性的追寻。这本小说不论是对人性的深度追问，还是对成长的深度书写，皆具震撼性。
本文用文学批评的手法从社会学的角度研究了卡勒德·胡塞尼的作品《追风筝的人》中阿富汗贫富悬殊下的社会伦理和人物冲突，以及身处不同阶级和宗教信仰里友谊与背叛之间的矛盾。并分析了文中风筝的象征意义。最后通过阐述小说主人公阿米尔的外在和内在成长历程，分析成长与自身救赎的关系，认为主人公是在成长中学会了救赎、在救赎中实现了成长。我们学到只有我们用满怀忏悔的心面对过错，才能真正实现救赎，真正追回那“久违的笑容”。
关键词：追风筝的人，卡勒德·胡赛尼，成长之旅，救赎，人性
Content
1.The Overview of the Kite Runner 6
1.2 Background of Afghanistan 6
1.2.1 Social Background of Afghanistan 7
1.2.2 Culture Background of Afghanistan 10
2 Bildungsroman of the Kite Runner 12
2.1 Introduction of Bildungsroman 12
2.1.1 Definition of Bildungsroman 12
2.1.2 Origin of Bildungsroman 13
2.2 the Kite Runner as a Bildungsroman 14
3 Salvation of Amir in the Kite Runner 14
3.1 From Selfishness to Jealousy 14
3.3 From Lies to Responsibility 17
