Guilt In The Kite Runner

Two Sides in Human Nature: Guilt and Redemption
Pain, both physical and emotional, is guaranteed in life and the natural desire to rid oneself of it connects humanity. Khaled Hosseini explores what human nature truly means in his novel The Kite Runner by depicting the character of Amir, a man who spends his adult years attempting to relieve a haunting guilt from his childhood. Amir’s internal struggle between guilt and redemption illustrates how suffering is part of human nature and can only be extinguished when one acknowledges mistakes and uses them to change for the better.
Amir’s guilt obtained in his youth follows him throughout life and causes prolonged suffering, which humanizes him as a character. Hassan, Amir’s childhood best friend,

is sacrificed by Amir when he selfishly decided that his father’s affection was more important than his friendship. Days after witnessing Hassan’s rape, Amir attempts to rid himself of the guilt by admitting his actions to himself while everyone is asleep. In the midst of his internal pain, Amir realizes his new curse: that “[he] was going to get away with it” (86). Throughout the novel, Amir is described as cursed and in this moment, it is understood that Amir has the curse of selfishness: his own desires prompted his actions. This idea is commonly found in the real world since greed is an instinctive human characteristic. People naturally want the best for themselves as a result of evolution and the past where it was every man for themselves but when those impulses cross the line of humanity in modern situations like this, moral dilemmas cause internal conflict and pain. Roughly six years have passed since the incident and Baba and Amir flee to America to take shelter from the rising Afghan conflict. The guilt still follows Amir and he feels that “America was a place to bury [his] memories”. (129) Amir’s selfish desire for happiness and fear of losing it causes him to avoid confrontation with his actions; he is still pained and burying the past is only a palliative. Amir’s decisions further develop him as a relatable character since fear is an emotion that naturally exists. The psychology of the human brain is explored in this novel and the darker side of life (pain and guilt) is expressed through Amir and his needs for joy. Despite his internal struggles, Amir leads his new life in America where he gets married, losses Baba to cancer, but still remembers the guilt of his childhood. Rahim Khan, Baba’s business partner who resides in Afghanistan, calls Amir to tell him that he is dying. In their conversation, Rahim explains that Hassan had lived with him and Amir says his name which “ [broke] a spell, set [old barbs of guilt] free to torment [him] anew”. (202) From this burst of emotions, it is evident that Amir’s palliative has failed him and that human nature has gotten the best of him. Amir’s conscious is still torn and through this event, it is expressed that apologies and making amends is never too late in the real world. Humans may be selfish at heart but love still exists within all and only when Amir discovers that his love for Hassan is stronger than his selfishness, will he overcome this great obstacle.
Amir’s guilt eats away at his spirit until he finally decides to make things right by facing his past instead of running away from his actions; Amir’s internal change helps him develop into a balanced person. Amir’s call from Rahim Khan informs Amir that Hassan had been shot but his son is alive and in orphanage. Rahim explains to Amir that he can make things right by rescuing Sohrab, Hassan’s son. As a child, Amir was always passive but when faced with this task, Amir understands that “[he] was older now, but maybe not yet too old to start doing [his] own fighting”. (227) Amir’s growth as a character is the outcome of his suffering and desire to rid himself of it. In the past, Amir was committed to his belief that what he did in the alleyway was the right thing and was a static character, but by accepting fault, he becomes dynamic. Amir’s internal transformation applies to the human condition as well; Hosseini implies that one truly matures when they understand the past and use their experience to change their future. Amir learns that he and Hassan had been brothers and feels as if his life is a lie created by Baba to maintain a good reputation. When questioned about what is Hassan’s relationship is to him, Amir thinks that “There had been enough lies already ‘He was my half-brother.’ [He swallowed]”. (237) By admitting Hassan and his brotherhood, Amir proves how much he means; Amir losses his old need to please Baba and has truly changed his priorities. Amir is slowly becoming more similar to Hassan, a character that represents good conscience and forgiveness. Hosseini's use of Amir and Hassan as polar characters (selfishness and altruism) and the fact that Amir learns to become like Hassan highlights the similarities in all people. Amir returns to his childhood home and is hit with a wave of memories. However, he feels alone in this moment and “Despite what [he] had learned about Baba, [he] wished [Baba] were standing alongside [him] now”. (273) By forgiving Baba for his actions, Amir shows the potential of forgiving his own actions as a result of growing into Hassan’s generous personality. Amir learns the importance of loyalty which helps him become a more balanced individual. The experiences Amir is introduced to helps him learn the importance of acceptance and growth instead of dwelling in fear.
By admitting fault and changing his attitude towards his obligations and acting selflessly, Amir consequently rids the shame he has brought upon himself.

Amir discovers where Sohrab had been taken and must fight for his guardianship. Assef, a Taliban soldier who was also Hassan’s rapist and the neighborhood bully, challenges Amir to a fight for possession of the young child. Amir accepts and is badly beaten by Assef to the point where “[his] body was broken...but [he] felt healed”. (289) This final act of physical pain is also paralleled to Hassan’s rape: both sacrificed their physical health to help their loved ones. By taking on Hassan’s persona, Amir finally has become good again. A repeated action with an opposite outcome is incorporated into this novel by Hosseini to achieve the effect of change, specifically Amir’s transformation. Amir attempts to adopt Sohrab but he is shut down and breaks the promise; Sohrab is destroyed and attempts suicide. Amir waits in the hospital and since “[his] hands are stained with Hassan’s blood” , he prays that “God doesn’t let them get stained with the blood of this boy too”. (346) Amir has finally come to terms with his past actions and now fully accepts the blame. The pain from previous suffering has traumatized Amir, teaching him the importance of owning up to actions and preventing him from disregarding others’ feelings. The human condition is growth; Amir has shown significance maturity as a result of the suffering, proving how it is part of every life. Amir takes Sohrab to America where the boy feels out of place and eventually becomes ignored. However, Amir finally sees Sohrab smile when flying kites together, just like what Hassan and Amir used to do together. Amir describes the short but meaningful smile like a snowflake, explaining how “when spring comes, it melts one snowflake at a time…[he] just witnessed the first flake melting”. (371) Hosseini often reflects mood into setting and in this case, Amir begins to

feel the love between him and Hassan exist again within Sohrab. The “snowflake” represents the winter in which the rape, lies, and betrayal took place. As the seasons passed, those lies were buried by Amir but spring, symbolizing new beginnings, came along. Amir’s “spring” is his redemption: he changed his behavior and is given a second chance with Hassan through Sohrab. Though Amir has a long way to go, the spring offers opportunities for growth and healing.
Amir’s growth from a static to dynamic character is the result of his need to redeem himself after witnessing Hassan’s rape relates to the idea that suffering is a two sided and natural emotion: the pain it causes prompts the sufferer to do everything in their power to rid it. Suffering merely causes guilt and consequently, redemption: creating the two sides of human nature.