In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the character Rahim Khan highlights the main character Amir’s insecurities about paternal approval and courage during his quest for redemption, illuminating the theme of always standing up for what is right. Rahim Khan follows Amir’s quest for favor from his father, ultimately teaching him to be true to himself and illustrating the meaning of the novel. Instead of Baba, Amir’s father, Rahim Khan is the first character to refer to Amir with jan, a term of affection. This causes Amir to question his mindless pursuit of his father’s approval for the first time. Before that incident, Amir thinks Baba is the perfect role model for him. Unfortunately, Baba never shows much affection for Amir, causing him to doubt …show more content…
Amir still feels guilt over betraying Hassan for Baba’s approval two decades ago, and therefore he takes that opportunity to travel back to Afghanistan. Rahim Khan tells Amir that he can “be good again,” revealing his knowledge of what happened to Hassan. Haunted by his memory of the incident, Amir realizes that he cannot forgive himself until he atones for what he did to Hassan. Through this, he learns that only through correcting his past mistakes can he gain his redemption. Rahim Khan highlights Amir’s desire to make up for his betrayal and helps him throughout his journey. Without Rahim Khan’s influence, Amir would still be wallowing away in America, not knowing how to gain absolution. Thus, Rahim Khan forces Amir to utilize his hidden courage to do what is right rather than hiding away from his mistakes halfway across the world, driving him to do what is right no matter the cost. Soon after meeting with Rahim Khan, Amir learns that Hassan left behind a son in Afghanistan. Terrified at meeting a ghost of his past, Amir angrily refuses to go back to Kabul. Rahim Khan then tells Amir that he cannot stand up for himself just as Baba said during his childhood in order to convince him. This causes Amir to realize that he can both absolve himself of his sins and try to be the man his father wanted him to be. Amir steels his courage and goes into the war zone that is Kabul in search of Sohrab, Hassan’s son. Rahim Khan’s influence induces Amir to do what is right--to go after Sohrab and finally redeem himself of his mistakes. Amir’s courage to stand up for himself and what is right underscores the meaning of the novel. Therefore, Rahim Khan evinces the theme of being true to oneself through catalyzing Amir’s bravery during his quest for
Despite living majority of his life with the guilt of not helping Hassan, Amir’s nemesis is yet to come. Destiny plays a huge game with Amir and reveals to him that Hassan is his illegitimate brother during his visit with Rahim Khan. Reacting with various emotions, Amir first decides to head back about to America, but in the end makes the first brave decision in his life by going back to Kabul “…to atone not just for [his] sins, but…Baba’s too” (198). Amir tries to compensate for his sin by rescuing Hassan’s son, Sohrab, from the brutality occurring in Kabul. Amir puts his entire life in jeopardy by facing the oppression in Kabul so he could make a genuine effort in eliminating his sins. In an ideal world, when one truly makes an effort to redeem themselves for their wrongdoings, they are usually gifted with forgiveness. However, in reality, Amir’s heroic act of saving Sohrab, did not free him of sorrow because he still has to live with his nemesis for the rest of his life. By taking Sohrab to America with him, Amir constantly is reminded of his hamartia by envisioning Hassan through Sohrab. This shows how the guilt from a cowardly act leads one into a lifelong feeling of
When individuals highly idolize and worship the successes that their loved ones have achieved, their in-suppressible desire to emulate the achievements of others causes them to inevitably experience difficult circumstances that challenge their morality and principles. In The Kite Runner, Amir has always displayed overflowing affections for Baba due to his prideful feelings of being the son of a wealthy, prominent father. It is through his massive affection for his father that causes Amir to put his self-independence at stake since his constant worship of Baba “with an intensity approaching the religious,” further strengthens his in-suppressible desire to emulate the success of his father. Amir’s affection for Baba begins
Redemption is gaining honor and self-forgiveness through a selfless act that reflects off of one’s regretful actions of their past. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Amir is the main character who goes through many life struggles and mistakes, then finds himself on a road to redemption. Amir and Hassan were best friends throughout their childhood and Hassan was the honorable, trusting best friend, the one to always take a stand for what he believed was right. Amir’s lack of courage caused him to stay silent in the worst of times, letting Hassan get tortured for the things he did not deserve. The themes of sacrifice, honor and redemption are carried out in many ways throughout this novel being shown through the actions of Hassan, Baba, and Amir.
On his journey to save Sohrab, Amir discovers that a Taliban official took him from the orphanage. When meeting with that Taliban official, who turns out to be his childhood nemesis Assef, Amir is placed in a situation where he is forced to choose between fleeing from the enemy and saving Hassan’s son. The structure of this scenario is analogous to one earlier in the book when Amir had to choose between saving Hassan by standing up for him and repairing the relationship with his father by bringing the blue kite back. The author uses the similar setting with Assef and the similarities in characterization of father and son in order to provide Amir with the opportunity to make the choice to stand up for what he believes in. When Amir allowed Hass...
He resonates with qualities we would identify with in Amir’s mother, even though we never gained more than a few paragraphs on her characteristics. Rahim Khan becomes an ambassador for her, providing a structural support that would have been lost in the novel without him. He becomes a champion for free-thinking, humility and patience, qualities tarnished by the Taliban regimen. Rahim Khan becomes a connection to the ideal Afghanistan, the Afghanistan lost after so many years of war. Afghani expatriates seek connections that link them to their homeland, and Rahim Khan becomes Amir’s connection to both his homeland and his inner self.
The book’s opening chapter focuses on Amir's conversation with Rahim and Amir’s "way to be good again” (Hosseini 1). The reason Amir flies all the way to Pakistan leaving behind his wife and life in America is Rahim Khan. Amir desires to make up for what he did to Hassan, so he answers Rahim's quest to “be good again” (Hosseini 1). This meeting allows Rahim to tell Amir what he must do to make up for his past. Rahim tells him he must put his own life in danger to save Hassan’s son, Sohrab. At first, Amir wants to refuse Rahim Khan’s wish, thinking of his life back home. He also thinks about how Hassan’s life may have been different if Hassan had the same opportunities he had. Then he realizes, “ But how can I pack up and go home when my actions may have cost Hassan a chance at those very same things?” (Hosseini 226). Rahim Khan warns Amir that it cannot be anyone else; Amir must make up for his own sins. Although he knows it's dangerous, Amir agrees to get Hassan’s son for Rahim as his dying wish. Amir believes that saving Sohrab is “A way to end the cycle” (Hosseini 227). Amir’s commitment in the face of danger proves his determination to be better and finally atone for his sins. Amir realizes his mistake and knows he can't change what he’d done. Eventually, with Rahim's help, he begins to see saving Sohrab as a “way to be
After Rahim Khan reveals many secrets to Amir regarding his childhood and what occurred after he fled to America, he asks Amir to retrieve Sohrab from Kabul. When Amir agrees, he suggests for Amir to stay with him in Peshawar for a few more days so that they are able to carefully map out his travel plan. Amir worries that he will convince himself to leave Pakistan and return to America. After deliberation, Amir claims, "I [am] afraid…that I [will] wade back into that great big river and let myself forget…I [am] afraid that [I will] let these waters carry me away from what I [have] to do. From Hassan. From the past that [has] come calling. And from this one last chance at redemption" (243). Amir is able to think logically, and based on his previous experiences, realizes that he has a tendency to flee from uncomfortable situations, as can be seen when he witnesses Hassan’s rape. This time, Amir displays responsibility and determination through his choice to leave before he has a chance to change his mind, a result of maturity. His decision to confront his past and stop running from the guilt that is preventing him from enjoying his life allows Amir to start his journey towards redemption. In addition, when visiting his childhood home after 26 years, Amir is visibly upset by the sight but still wishes to proceed. Farid senses his discomfort and attempts to offer advice. Before returning, Amir converses with Farid: “‘Just forget it all. Makes it easier…’ Farid said. ‘I don't want to forget anymore,’” (276). Amir’s response to Farid’s comment confirms his willpower to put an end to his guilt and to face his past bravely. This shows that Amir is no longer ignoring his history but instead is acknowledging that it happened and actively trying to change himself for his betterment. Both his response to Rahim Khan’s plea to stay longer and his answer to
While Baba attempts to live his life according to the Afghan saying, “Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end.crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis [nomads]” (Hosseini 356), Amir strays from this traditional perspective. Baba chose to continue his life unmindful of his past, while Amir, eventually decides to confront him. Although both Baba and Amir have acted immorally, the choices they make find redemption affect the success of their individual attempts. In the novel, Amir’s quest for atonement is more effective than Baba’s because he acts virtuously, while his father, acts selfishly. Ultimately, Amir is the more successful of the two because, in opposition to Baba, he seeks holistic atonement and is willing to make sacrifices to achieve redemption.
In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, the author follows the development of protagonist Amir through a life filled with sorrow, regret, and violence. Amir encounters numerous obstacles on his path to adulthood, facing a new test at every twist and turn. Amir embarks on the long journey known as life as a cowardly, weak young man with a twisted set of ideals, slowly but surely evolving into a man worthy of the name. Amir is one of the lucky few who can go through such a shattered life and come out the other side a better man, a man who stands up for himself and those who cannot, willing to put his life on the line for the people he loves.
In the end, I ran. I ran because I was a coward” (Hosseini, 77). Deep down, Amir feels as if he should have done something, and because of his nagging guilt, he is not able to lead a peaceful life. He has an overwhelming need to be punished so that he can be absolved of his sin and he will not have to live with remorse anymore. Amir’s guilt leads him on a long and difficult journey towards his ultimate goal of redemption back to his violent and war-torn homeland of Afghanistan.
Though some may rise from the shame they acquire in their lives, many become trapped in its vicious cycle. Written by Khlaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner describes the struggles of Amir, his father Baba, and his nephew Sohrab as they each fall victim to this shameful desolation. One repercussion of Baba hiding his sinful adultery from Amir is that Amir betrays Hassan for his father’s stringent approval. Sohrab’s dirty childhood also traumatizes him through his transition to America. Consequently, shame is a destructive force in The Kite Runner. Throughout the course of the novel, Baba’s shameful affair, Amir’s selfish betrayal, and Sohrab’s graphic childhood destroy their lives.
When he gets, Baba’s friend, Rahim Khan’s call and hears, “Come. There is a way to be good again”(192), he decides to go to Pakistan without any hesitation. Amir has a vital need to be good again and guesses Rahim Khan knows about his past, so he wants to see Rahim Khan to try to begin his redemption. After hearing the stories about Hassan and his son Sohrab, he determines to go back to Afghanistan and saves Sohrab alone. With the strong will to be good, Amir is no longer a coward. Although there are so many difficulties, he eventually saves Sohrab and takes him to America. Furthermore, Amir tries to atone his previous sin. After he saves Sohrab, he spares no effort to make Sohrab happy and earn his trust. “I struggled out of bed and crossed the space between us. ‘I won’t ever get tired of you, Sohrab’… ‘That’s a promise. You’re my nephew’ ”(324). To express the love that he didn’t give to Hassan, Amir becomes another man: He is unselfish and generous. He considers Sohrab as the most important person in his life and tries his best to love Sohrab. In the end, when he sees a steady smile spread across Sohrab’s face while flying kites in America, Amir finishes his
However there are some characters that become better people and change becoming a better, stronger, more loyal individual in the end. The individual that demonstrates this development within this novel is Amir himself. All of the guilt Amir holds with him as a child allow him to realize his duty to be loyal to his brother Hassan ion the end. An example of this is when Amir goes back to Kabul, Afghanistan to retrieve his nephew Sohrab. Amir says, “I remembered Wahid’s boys and… I realized something. I would not leave Afghanistan without finding Sohrab.’ tell me where he is,’ I said” (Hosseini 255). Here, Amir is at the orphanage waiting to find out where Taliban has taken his nephew. Amir remembers the three young starving sons of Wahid, a man whose home he had been in earlier, and realized that Afghanistan is not a safe place for Sohrab. Amir is finally aware of one thing, Hassan has always been there to protect Amir like a loyal friend and brother would and now Amir knows that it is his turn to return that loyalty to Hassan by protecting Hassan’s flesh and blood. A second example of Amir’s loyalty to Hassan near the ending of the book is during Amir’s confrontation with General Sahib and the dinner table after Sohrab is safe in America with him. Amir proclaims to General Sahib, “…That boy sleeping on the couch
Rahim Khan was a friend of Baba’s and was like a father to Amir. If Amir needed anything like moral support or a shoulder to cry on, Rahim was there. Rahim Khan was also like a voice of reasoning throughout the book. He gives Amir advice all the time, even in his adult life. One day he calls Amir and says that he can make
Rahim Khan: Baba’s business partner and best friend., a voice of reason in the novel. Rahim understands Amir’s desire for affection and approval from his father, and in a way fills the gap in their relationship, always there with reassurance (approval of his short story, etc). Rahim knew about the assault in the alley and tells Amir there is still time to be good., and later on helps to plan retrieving Sohrab from Afghanistan. Rahim brings Hassan and Amir back to Kabul and uncovers Baba’s secret (Amir and Hassan being half brothers).