Interpretation Of The Initiation Theme In The Kite Runner From Psychosocial Theory

The Kite Runner, the debut of the Afghanistan writer Khaled Hosseini, has beencritically acclaimed around the world. It has attracted wide attention in the literaryworld since its publication in2004. Scholars at home and abroad interpret the novelfrom various angles, such as growth and redemption, psychoanalysis,post-colonialism and symbolism. But so far, few scholars study the novel from thepsychological perspective. Therefore, this thesis adopts the psychosocial theory toanalyze The Kite Runner, hoping to make contribution to the research of the novel.This typical initiation story happens both in Afghanistan and America. It tellsthe story of Amir who eventually steps on the road of self-salvation and completeshis personal growth and transformation after a series of tribulations. Therefore, thethesis applies psychological sociologist E. H. Erickson’s psychosocial theory toanalyze the growth theme of The Kite Runner. In the light of the theory ofpersonality development, the thesis discusses Amir’s three growth stages, namely,bewildered stage, awakening stage and initiation stage. Through a comprehensiveanalysis of Amir’s psychosocial development and its reasons in different stages, thethesis appeals to the modern people to be more concerned with the youth’s growingprocess.There are three parts in this thesis: the introduction, the main body and theconclusion.The first part introduces Khaled Hosseini’s life and works, overseas anddomestic research status of The Kite Runner, and the significance of this thesis.The main body consists of four chapters:The first chapter is the theoretical basis of the thesis which contains three parts.The first part introduces the initiation story: its origin, development andcharacteristics. The second part gives a brief account of E. H. Erickson’spsychosocial theory. The third part states the feasibility of the combination of twotheories. The second chapter discusses Amir’s first growth phase-bewilderment stage byanalyzing the factors of five stages of Amir’s initiation in the light of theory ofpersonality development. His confusion is mainly reflected in his bewilderment oflove, friendship and the social reality.The third chapter applies the sixth stage of Erikson’s theory of personalitydevelopment to analyze Amir’s awakening stage-leaving for the United States. Hisrelationship with his father has been improved and deepened in the alien land, whichbrings about Amir’s awakening in love, moral consciousness and socialconsciousness.The fourth chapter analyzes Amir’s initiation by employing Erikson’s seventhstage of theory of personality development. After experiencing a series of difficulties,the middle aged Amir gains his initiation in emotion and psychology, completes hisself-redemption and becomes mature.Based on the above analysis, this thesis draws the conclusion that in order todevelop a healthy personality, one has to overcome his human weakness such asselfishness and cowardice, face the past and take responsibility bravely. Meanwhile,the thesis discusses a series of practical problems in Amir’s growing process inattempt to get people to attach importance to the mental and psychologicaldevelopment of young people today, especially the marginalized teenagers in thesociety.