With close reference to language form and structure, show how far Khaled Hosseini uses symbolism to show the social divide between the characters in the extract on pages 3-6 of The Kite Runner?

The first 200 words of this essay...

With close reference to language form and structure, show how far Khaled Hosseini uses symbolism to show the social divide between the characters in the extract on pages 3-6 of The Kite Runner?

There is distinctive evidence of a hierarchal class system in this extract from The Kite Runner, and Hosseini uses symbolism to highlight and explore the divide between characters within the social hierarchy.

Hosseini uses Hassan's cleft lip deformity as a symbolic reference towards his social class. It is immediately recognisable in his face, which tells anyone who sees him that he's of low status, because his family are too poor to afford corrective surgery. Amir uses the analogy of a "Chinese doll maker" who grew "tired and careless", suggesting the doll maker, pragmatically referring to God, didn't value Hassan enough to take his time making him. This reflects the same way society doesn't value him as a person.

The houses of Amir and Hassan are a prime example where drastic social differences can be seen between the two classes. A long, detailed description of Amir's "sprawling house" completely contrasts with the short, bland description of Hassan's "mud shack", shocking the reader. Amir's descriptions