Change of Mind: Kite Runner

Before discussing the reason Khaled Hosseini wrote the fictional piece "Kite Runner" in memoir format, i thought it was just to make it seem more realistic. That's why i thought "Life of Pi" was written as a memoir, because for about 2/3 of the time it took me to read "Life of Pi" i thought it was a true story, or at least based off of a true story. Then i looked at the back cover one day and it said "FICTION" in bright white letters in the lower right-hand corner.

I also always had this though deep in my head that said "People who write memoirs want the whole world to know that what happened to them 'that fateful day...' because everyone should think that it was important, too" *note sarcasm* In otherwords, I never really thought that a memoir had much importance to the authors life other than to get attention and hopefully some money, as well.

After more discussion and thought about the reason "Kite Runner" was written as a memoir, i learned that the memoir form had a thematic relationship to the actual story: Amir is telling us what he could not just go ahead and say to anyone else. It lifts a huge weight off his shoulders, because for his whole life he had been too scared to confess the dishonorable things he had done in the past. He also says outright, even to himself, that he is a flawed person, and he finally accepts himself by sharing his past. This analysis can apply to even non-fiction memoirs. The writer feels secure, not pompous, enough to share deep, dark secrets with a reader who could be anybody.

Memoirs are not stories about heroes written in the first person. They are confessions of ordinary people who are strong enough to accept their imperfections.