The Kite Runner:2

" 'I think I have saratan,' I said. Cancer. " (page 14)
Literary term: Foreshadowing

This scene is foreshadowing of the scene on page 154 when Baba finds out he has the possibility of having cancer. Hossenini is a great author and uses very small details and scenes such as this to inform and hint at what may happen in the future. I had underlined this because I thought that this scene had to have some importance. Then, when I read when Baba found out he might have cancer I immediately remembered the fact that Amir once said this to Baba. The effect that this literary term has on the novel of the whole is that both scenes present a contrast in the characters of Baba and Amir. When Amir tells Baba he thinks this, he told him he could "get the soda" himself (page 14). This shows that Baba was not even listening to Amir's concerns. Even if it may sound absurd for a kid to say, it shows he is not one to show emotion or empathy since he does not comfort and tell him differently. In contrast, Amir questions the doctor more and does everything he can to find out for sure what is wrong with his father. Amir is sympathetic and caring. He takes action and is attentive to every detail while his father tends to ignore others sometimes. He thinks about himself and does not listen to the opinions of others.