Examples Of Redemption In The Kite Runner

How can a character build the idea of redemption from their sins? The novel Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini answers this question by constantly changing the date to recall what has already happened and how each character is affected. Even though the main story taken away from Hosseini's writing is Amir’s idea of punishment and redemption, we receive a lot of other interpretations from complex and simple characters. They know they want to be forgiven from their sins but the only way for it to occur is if they conceive it for themselves or come up with their own way to become redeemed. The concept of being relieved appears throughout this novel with most complex characters and is an important aspect in one’s life.

Amir has run from his

problems his entire life. The mistakes he made as a child, with Hassan specifically, are ones that he regrets now as an adult. He has never treated Hassan like a friend, yet they have been together for their entire life.

Due to the nagging guilt he can not live a peaceful life, and feel the need to punish himself for what he did. Cowardly, Amir waited years to inform anyone of what happened to Hassan at the Kite festival. Amir already carries guilt and resentment inside him. He claims “’I [Amir] watched Hassan get raped,’ I said to no one…A part of me was hoping someone would wake up and hear, so I wouldn’t have to live with this lie anymore…I understood the nature of my new curse: I was going to get away with it." (page 86) The novel starts with the incident at the kite tournament and continues with many other mistakes that he later regrets. The structure of the Kite Runner refers back to the past by changing the date constantly. Amir goes back and forth telling stories about his life and all the mistakes he made. Once he becomes an adult the responsibilities he faces become greater. Hassan’s passing

caused him distress and even more regret for what he did. The way Amir wanted to make it up to Hassan is by taking care of his child. It feels like his duty to watch over him like his own son because they are technically related. To become redeemed for letting Hassan get raped, Amir traveled back to Afghanistan to find Sohrab, Hassan’s son. He will do anything to ensure the boy's safety. Amir exclaims, "My hands are stained with Hassan's blood; I pray God doesn't let them get stained with the blood of this boy too."(page: 346) Even though he did this Rahim Khan still informs him that there is still a way he can be forgiven for what he did so long ago. Rahim states “I know that in the end god will forgive yourself” (page: 316).

Some can argue that once Amir saved Sohrab it made up for his wrong doing but personally I think he could have redeemed himself a lot earlier in the novel.

It was a very good thing to do but Amir wouldn’t have said sorry to Hassan based on further actions. I believe that once he died Amir felt responsible and wanted to do something for himself so he won’t feel the guilt forever. He only went back home to Afghanistan to help Sohrab but that ultimately helped himself because he felt

redeemed.

Rahim Khan exposed Baba’s secret to Amir and he carries the ultimate forgiveness. When Baba’s secret is revealed, Amir feels upset and believes his life has been like a constant circle of lies. It is about understanding as stated from Rahim Khan “ there is a way to be good again” ( page: 192) meaning there is still hope to be redeemed by God. Rahim Khan is also the one that creates in opportunity for Amir to redeem himself. Giving Amir the idea to go back to Afghanistan and help Hassan’s son , Sohrab, so Amir would finally be relieved.

Amir must atone for his sins with Hassan and Baba so that he can improve his current relationships with Soraya and Sohrab. First, Soraya wants to be forgiven for running away with a man. This is an act that is not allowed in Afghan culture especially because he father, General Taheri is extremely traditional. Her parents shunned her because of what she did in the past. The only way she could become redeemed was to tell Amir what happened. He forgave her, of course, because his sin is a lot worse. This is shown is his statement “I envied her. Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealt with... I suspected there were many ways in which Soraya Taheri was a better person than me.” ( page: 165) To completely become redeemed she accepts Sohrab into the family due to the fact that she can not have children. Even though Amir is the main character of the story and makes mistakes, there are other complex characters that want to be atoned as well. This includes Baba, Amir and Hassan's father. To start off Baba kept the secret that Hassan was his true son from both of his children. This occurs when Baba slept with his best friends wife. He only reveals the
secret before he dies. Rahim Khan helps Baba become relieved of his other mistakes by revealing all the secrets Baba has been keeping from Amir. Rahim Khan is trying to supply for both opinions, Baba and Amir but Baba is a hard man to convince. Later in the novel when Baba is dying he accepts Amir’s writing and passes. He seems to make amends only after his death.

To be redeemed from unwanted actions is the deliverance or salvation of man. The protagonist does something wrong then they struggle to redeem themselves and in the end they create redemption or and idea of being relieved from evil. Characters are tormented by heavy guilt that comes with their sins. They seem to think of a good act they can execute to feel better and release they weight from their shoulders.

By the end of this novel the complex characters create redemption. Redemption is so crucial because sin is so abiding and according to Rahim Khan “ there is a way to be good again” ( page: 192) so anyone has the opportunity to amend from their sins. For a person that believes in God, the Bible is a perfect example of redemption. It tells stories explicitly like the novel , Kite Runner.