Style

Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. Anchor Canada, 2004. Print.

       In Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, pathos plays an important role in developing of plot and characters. Pathos is an element of literature that arouses the feeling of pity, sympathy or sorrow, etc. At the beginning of this book, the readers feel sorry for Amir, the main character, as he takes us through his relationship with his father and as he explains what he felt like growing up without the love of a mother.
       "Baba and his friends reclined on black leather chairs after Ali has served dinner. They stuffed their pipes - except Baba always called it "fattening the pipe" - and discussed their favorite three topics: politics, business, soccer. Sometimes I asked Baba if I could sit with them, but Baba would stand in the doorway. 'Go on, now,' he'd say. 'This is grown-ups' time. Why don't you go read one of those books of yours?' He'd close the door, leave me to wonder why it was always grown-ups' time with him. I'd sit by the door, knees drawn to my chest. Sometimes I sat there for an hour, sometimes two, listening to their laughter, their chatter."(Hosseini, 5)
       Amir needs his dad more than anyone at this stage of his life, as he is growing up, like any little boy needs a dad.  However, Baba does not want to spend any time with his son and doesn't feel like he is worth it. The readers can't help but feel sympathy for the kid who has no one else but his cold-hearted father.