Free Will In The Kite Runner And

The concept of free will versus a predetermined fate has been debated for centuries, with people supporting both sides. This issue is also prevalent within both The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. The main characters in the books, Amir and Oedipus, have trouble accepting the truth and possess the tendency to run from reality. Both characters also have to deal with the burden of guilt and the consequences of their actions. Although the authors integrated common themes within their works, their angles differ. Oedipus Rex includes a more literal sense of fate, including a prophecy, whereas The Kite Runner included a more abstract version of the meaning of fate. Hosseini’s and Sophocles’ books both include a sin committed

In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is swift to chide the actions of the murderer, and was baffled to hear that no action was taken earlier, asking his brother-in-law, “What kind of trouble, when your kingship had fallen thus, made you see to this so poorly?” (Sophocles 139-140). Oedipus values justice and he curses the person who is guilty, saying that they will be exiled for polluting the land. When he talks to Tiresias, he begs him at first, to share his wisdom. When Tiresias explains to Oedipus that it was he who murdered Laius, Oedipus gets angry and insults him. Instead of accepting the fact that he was the one who had sinned, he decided that Creon had come up with an elaborate scheme in order to overthrow him. In comparison, Amir, in The Kite Runner, avoids taking responsibility for his actions as well. He continuously avoids Hassan in order for his feelings of guilt to subside. For example, when Hassan was going to the bakery to buy some naan, he asks Amir if he wanted to come with him. Amir yells at Hassan to stop harassing him instead of being there for his friend. Amir even allowed Hassan to take the blame for stealing some of his birthday presents in order to run away from the guilt he was feeling. The reason Amir enjoyed living in America so much, is that to him, the United States represented a fresh start. Both Amir and Oedipus came to a realization that they need to come to terms

For example, it is only by chance that Amir was a Pashtun and Hassan a Hazara. If Hassan was also a Pashtun, would Assef have raped him? Would he have been killed by the Taliban? Hassan did not choose to be a Hazara, but just his ethnicity played a role in what would happen to him. Additionally, if Baba did not have an affair with Hassan’s mom, would Hassan and Amir have a relationship like they did? Baba kept on good terms with Hassan and Ali was since he was trying to care for his son. He also felt guilty and wanted the two families to stay close. Amir’s longing for Baba’s approval is the reason why Amir asked Hassan to get the kite. If Hassan did not go to get the kite, he would not have been hurt and tortured the way he had. Lastly, the irony of it all is that when Amir finally wanted to meet up with Hassan and apologize, he learned that Hassan had passed. It is arguable that it was fate that Hassan had a son who needed to be saved due to the fact that Amir and Soraya were not able to have a child of their own. In Oedipus Rex, the prophecy came true no matter what happened, which shows how fate is inevitable. Oedipus’ parents, when he was a baby, left him to die due to the prophecy that he would be the reason for their deaths. Unfortunately, though, no matter what, the prophecy came true. Oedipus killed his father at a crossroad, and he indirectly killed his mother for the reason of her suicide was