I can see myself trying to carry this idea over into my own writing. The author character tension is such a captivating idea. It draws the reader in until they too are apart of the tension and they begin to take sides with the author or character. The tension drives you into the inner most thoughts and flaws of the character, allowing you to get to know him or her as well, or in some cases better, than you know yourself. As you read, you can feel the electricity in the air. You know that one bold move from the author or character could erupt into the climax of the entire novel.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Best of Week: Kite Runner
The most important idea brought up this week, while discussing Kite Runner, was the idea of an author versus character struggle. Khaled Hosseini uses this tension to help us better understand Amir. On page 129 there is an amazing example of this. Amir writes, "For me, America was a place to bury my memories". Hosseini gave Amir plenty of chances to atone for his sins while in Kabul, but he rejected them and fled to America. In fleeing to America, Amir is running from his past, his memories, and his destiny. All the while, Hosseini is able to act as Amir's conscience by choosing which memories are evoked by what experiences. We expirience this tension every time Amir thinks of kites, Kabul, or Rahim Khan. With each of these memories, Hosseini allows them to "claw their way out" and rip Amir apart. Each memory cuts into him, like the glass string of kites he used to idolize. Amir continues to fight his past, its almost as though he doesn't believe in his own memories. Amir tries to resist even when he finally summons the courage to return to his homeland. On page 222 he states, "I began to see where he was going. But I didn't want to hear the rest of it. I had a good life in California, pretty Victorian home with a peaked roof, a good marriage, a promising writing career, in-laws who loved me. I didn't need any of this s**t". Amir is begging Hosseini to allow him to go on with his life; he is trying to tell Hosseini that he moved on and has so much peace that he is okay with the one loose end in his life. Hosseini rejects Amir's pleas and shoves his tainted past in his face; he gives Amir the ultimatum, either he can fix this once and for all, or be haunted by loyal, hare-lipped ghosts for the rest of his life. This tension between author and character is the key to powerful writing. Their battle of wills creates a sense of underlying tension throughout the book.
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Because the idea of the struggle you explore is very similar to what I wrote about in my essay, I have to say that I agree with you completely. I thought that the connection between Hosseini and Amir was incredible, and liked that you brought up that the "Hosseini gave Amir plenty of chances to atone for his sins". That the auther is actually giving the character redeeming power is very cool, because it provides development of Amir's character as he refuses a chance for peace each time. It's aggravating and encouraging at the same time, because we want Amir to make the right choice but know he needs to come to terms a bit more first. The fact that the author-character struggle is palpable just demonstrates Hosseini's talent in delivering the story. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story, because you have to decide what the author wants versus what he is making the character want, which makes you think. Altogether, the story is made richer as the tension increases.
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