Kite Runner Guilt

Throughout life, one experiences times of turmoil that can occasionally cause them to make an error in judgement. When journeying through life, mistakes are bound to be made, however, the amount of guilt that derives from them can be unexpected. This immense feeling of guilt can cause one to act indecently, in search of redeeming themselves. The Kite Runner is an infamous novel, written by Khaled Hosseini that depicts love, deception and pain. The novel describes the adventure of a boy who has entered manhood with a dark secret that he is trying desperately to hide. Throughout this book, the theme of the search for redemption is present, is persistent. This is demonstrated though the lives of Amir, Baba, and Hassan. The theme of this book is

constant throughout both the prosperous and the poor. Amir, the main character who is trying to forget the past, constantly refers to his past mistakes and develops a new outlook on life because of this. His mistakes are constantly referred to as “unatoned sins” and he refuses to confront his past for a large portion of the narrative.

Despite his efforts, Amir’s past fails to escape him, no matter how hard he tries.

Many times during life, one will react negatively to a situation and later feel the need to seek amends for their misbehaviour. Amir, the main character in the novel, constantly struggles to make amends for his past sins. Throughout his life, Amir felt like an unworthy burden to his wealthy father, Baba. During the course of the book, he tries to redeem himself by being a person he thinks Baba would approve of. He states “I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. Then I’d bring it home and show it to Baba. Show him once and for all that his son was worthy.” (Hosseini, 60). Amir knew that the only common interest

between Baba and himself was kites, so he was determined to regain his honour by proving to Baba he was successful enough to win the kite-flying competition.

The second incident Amir feels he needs to redeem himself because of is the rape incident. In his younger years, he had observed a brutal crime, and forever regretted the way he dealt with it. Amir had witnessed his best friend and servant, Hassan, get raped by the neighbourhood bully. While running after a kite for Amir, a favour that portrays how devoted he was to Amir, Hassan was cornered in an alley and cruelly raped. Meanwhile, Amir observed the incident from afar, and afterwards, refused to disclose the information to anyone. Proceeding this event, Amir was filled with guilt and remorse, and when his life’s achievements became draped with misery, he became fixated on redeeming himself. After witnessing Hassan getting raped, Amir ceased to communicate with Hassan and tried to abolish their friendship. He believed that if Hassan was out of sight, he would also be out of Amir’s mind. However, when Amir’s life became consumed with the need for redemption, he turned to other means of regaining his esteem. First, soon after the rape incident,

Amir offered Hassan a walk to the park. While there, Amir picked up a pomegranate and hurled it at Hassan, in hopes that Hassan would hit him back. Amir expresses his anger, saying “Hit me back, goddamn you! I wished he would. I wished he’d give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I’d finally sleep at night.” (Hosseini, 98). Amir had tried to mend his hurt by forcing Hassan to implement pain on him, however, staying true to his character, Hassan hit his own face with the pomegranate instead. The final instance where Amir proved that redemption was still present in his life was when he decided to adopt and care for Sohrab. Sohrab was Hassan’s son, however he was orphaned at a young age. In Amir’s final step towards redemption, he rescued Sohrab from Afghanistan and assisted him in immigrating to America. While speaking to Sohrab, he stated the infamous line “For you, a thousand times over.” (Hosseini, 391). With these words, he demonstrates to Sohrab that he would do anything for him, especially what he failed to do for Hassan. During the duration of the novel, Amir is constantly seeking ways to atone for his sins, and redemption is present in his actions.

Oftentimes, one mistake can lead to a lifetime misery. The sole fault Baba made caused him to pursue redemption in any way he could. Throughout the beginning of the story, readers are lead to believe Amir and Hassan are just troubled friends, however, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that they are half-brothers. Baba slept with the servant’s wife and months after having Amir, Hassan was born. Baba could never reveal the true identity of Hassan, as his honour and status would be abolished. Baba instead tried to redeem himself through his philanthropic work, such as building an orphanage. Amir recalled the day the orphanage was built, stating
He told me Baba had drawn the blueprints himself despite the fact that he’d had no acchitectural experience at all…Baba paid for the construction of the two-story orphanage, just off the main strip of Jadeh Maywand south of the Kabul River, with his own money. (Hosseini, 14).

This proves that because he couldn’t help his own child, Baba resorted to those who were in a much similar situation to Hassan - poor and missing parents. Evidence of Baba trying to redeem himself with Hassan is also present when Amir realizes Baba’s secret. He states
How could I have been so blind? The signs had been there for me to see all along; they came flying back at me now: Baba hiring Dr. Kumar to fix Hassan's harelip. Baba never missing Hassan's birthday. (Hosseini, 236)

This portrays the extend Baba was willing to go to for Hassan, and that even though he wasn’t Hassan’s father to society, he was Hassan’s father privately. It also shows that by providing Hassan with materialistic things, Baba figured he could redeem himself in some small way. Even though the Afghan community thought Baba was a good, everyday man, he had a secret that caused him to seek redemption, proving that this feeling is present in everyone, regardless of stature.

Even the truest of souls can seek redemption for an action they regretted that affected others. Hassan, the strong, loyal best friend of Amir had something to redeem himself for. In the narrative, Amir describes Hassan as a boy who, despite having no education, is very smart. Hassan will do anything for Amir – from running a kite to eating dirt to getting raped. However, as Amir stopped talking to Hassan after the rape incident, Hassan felt as if he did something wrong. While seeking redemption, Hassan lies to Baba and tells him that he stole Amir’s watch. Amir recalls the events, stating “Did you steal Amir’s watch, Hassan? Hassan’s reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice: ‘Yes’.” (Hosseini, 111). This is a lie that he knew would have huge consequences, however, he still did so to protect Amir and in hopes of redeeming himself for whatever he had done do make Amir stop being his friend. Also as further redemption to Amir, Hassan assumes his old position as Amir and Baba’s servant when he is an adult, even without being asked by them. Rahim Khan communicates to Amir what Hassan had been doing by saying “I did not want to, but the two of them did all the cooking, all the cleaning. Hassan tended to the flowers in the garden, soaked the roots, picked off yellowing leaves, and planted rosebushes.” (Hosseini, 219). This proves Hassan’s dedication to Amir and Baba, even completing these acts without their knowledge.

Throughout the course of this novel, the theme of redemption always being present, no matter who is being discussed or the situation it is being discussed in, is dominant. The lives of Amir, Baba, and Hassan were filled with the constant need to redeem themselves for their past actions. Focused on the haunting memories of the past, they refused to enjoy life for what was happening in the current time. Victories were overshadowed with misfortune, as their pasts were always a piece of them. Redemption is a hard task and a long journey, and whatever one does will never feel like enough. Amir was able to achieve redemption by the end of the novel, unlike Baba and Hassan. This lingering feeling will always be with everyone, taking a different form for every person.