Relationships In The Kite Runner

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In his novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini explores the relationships between children of any age and their parents, as well as the relationships among the children themselves. A common topic found throughout the book is just how much of an impact those relationships can have, especially on the kids, and this topic is further explored into a theme of Amir’s father, Baba, treating him one way, which almost directly results in Amir behaving another way. Such lends itself directly to prompting the reader to ask where, exactly, is the line drawn between people forming their own individuality and people growing differently based on who raised them? Through a critical review of this novel, wherein close attention is paid to Amir, the reader …show more content…

Du’s position is clear that Amir must grow, calling the boy “confused” and “naive,” to the point of making “a serious mistake later” in “constantly trying to please his father” (Journey, Du, 2). After condemning Amir for “[betraying] Hassan and losing] himself,” Du continues by clarifying that a “streak of good deeds” might “atone for [Amir’s] betrayal of Hassan” (Journey, Du, 2). The final conclusion of this section of the article implies that, having saved Hassan’s son so many years later, “[Amir] completed his self-redemption,” and now can move on to be human again, despite everything he’s done (Journey, Du, 2). Du takes evidence from the kites found at the start and end of the book, as “Amir has become the kite runner” by the conclusion, implying that “kites symbolize the interrelationship between betrayal and redemption” (Journey, Du, 2). Having asserted that Amir finally completed his journey to self actualization, Du steps back to discuss how Amir’s circumstances allowed him to reach his final goal of redemption. The lack of clarity is a major player in Amir’s situation, especially with his father being “a brace man who would stand up for justice,” while also being “the negative guider,” considering theft to be the worst possible sin, despite being a thief himself (Journey, Du, 3). Companions are a major influence on Amir as well, as “Hassan and Soraya accompanied the growth of Amir, and they helped Amir regain his humanity,” essentially being the positive forces driving Amir to accept his past and grow from it (Journey, Du, 3). Du finishes by mentioning where Amir “grew up, changed, and was affected by where he was living,” especially describing how “[in America], everything changed” (Journey, Du, 4). This final argument solidifies how, alongside changing

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