The story is told via a first-person narrator, giving a one-sided and personal view of the events that unfold.

Amir relates the story from its end point. He is therefore able to refer to events yet to come in the narrative and build tension.

Objects such as the kites or Assef's sunglasses act as symbols within the text: kite = freedom; sunglasses = Western consumerism. Symbolism gives depth to the text.

The different styles of language reflect the content of the story, such as the childlike sentence structure used by Amir when talking about his childhood.

Phrases such as 'There is a way to be good again' and 'For you, a thousand times over' act as refrains which carry ideas through the whole narrative.