Redemption and Guilt in The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner, narrated by Amir, is a novel by Khaled Hosseini set in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Russian War. Alongside his father Baba and two Hazara companions Ali and Hassan, they later seek happiness in America. The story depicts Amir's challenges as he tries to balance pleasing his father with being a loyal friend to Hassan. Amir battles feelings of guilt and selfishness as he harbors hidden secrets, knowing that Hassan deserves better.

Materialistically, Amir and his father had a good life and treated Ali and Hassan quite well, but we discover that there is a reason for the good treatment that they receive from mainly Baba.

Amir witnesses a very tragic experience that Hassan is put through with Assef and he does not take a stand. Amir is cowardice unlike Hassan. Although it may seem that Amir is confused with what he should do about what he has done and the secrets that he hides, his final decision will affect the rest of his life.

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He runs from his past escaping to America in hopes that his guilt will finally be freed.

Amir and Hassan, who are practically brothers, have a strong bond and have spent their entire childhood together. They enjoy spending their days playing games and sharing stories. Unfortunately, they share a common enemy in Assef, a boy around their age who constantly bullies Hassan for being a Hazara. Despite Hassan's innocence, he never stood up to Assef, nor did Amir. However, when Assef threatened Amir, Hassan bravely confronted him and warned him with his sling-shot.

Amir realizes his selfishness towards Hassan and recognizes that Hassan truly cares for him. Despite their differences, Hassan is everything that Amir is not and is willing to do anything to please him. Assef's vengeful nature eventually leads to a tragic event involving Hassan, causing a lasting impact on Amir. The annual kite-fighting contest, a beloved tradition in Afghanistan, holds a special place in the hearts of both Hassan and Amir.

Amir flew the kite while Hassan chased and gave him the kites he cut as trophies. Amir's favorite event was in his neighborhood, where he would steal glances at Baba on the roof, wondering if he was cheering for him or enjoying his failures. Kite flying made Amir's mind drift with the kite, his biggest concern being impressing Baba (Hosseini 63).

Amir believed that winning was everything to Baba, and he hoped that by winning the kite-flying competition, he would finally earn his father's approval and attention. In the final moments of the competition, all Amir could focus on was the blue kite and the possibility of victory, redemption, and salvation. He felt that winning would be his chance to be acknowledged and truly seen, rather than just heard (Hosseini 65).

Amir sends Hassan to retrieve the blue kite in hopes of earning his father's pride, symbolizing Amir's desire for redemption in his father's eyes. While trying to catch the kite, Hassan is ambushed by Assef in an alley. Concerned, Amir goes to look for Hassan and discovers him there, but chooses to hide without disclosing his presence. Assef cruelly taunts Hassan with the kite as a reminder of the violence he is about to inflict (Hosseini 73).

Amir faced a critical decision: whether to support Hassan or run away in fear. Sadly, he chose the latter, a choice that would greatly impact his life. When Hassan arrived at the house, Amir felt immediate regret. He worried that Hassan might have seen him hiding in the shadows, although he could not be certain. Trying to act normal, Amir noticed a change in Hassan's behavior. The once cheerful Hassan now appeared sad, intensifying Amir's feelings of guilt. Believing that the only way to rid himself of guilt was to deal with the issue directly, Amir considered extreme measures against Hassan.

Amir came up with a plan to manipulate Baba into sending Hassan away by framing him for stealing valuable gifts. Amir took money and his watch, placing them under Hassan’s mattress to make it appear as if Hassan had stolen them. Despite Baba's pleas for Hassan and Ali to stay, Hassan knew Amir was behind the scheme and decided to leave as Amir had always wished.

After Hassan and Ali left the driveway, Amir lived each day consumed by guilt and regret. It was not long before Baba and Amir had to flee Afghanistan for America to escape the war. In the new country, they started buying and selling junk at flea markets for money. Baba runs into a colleague from Afghanistan who has a daughter, Soraya, Amir's age. Amir is captivated by Soraya's beauty and tries to get her attention to get to know her better.

He visits her booth to chat about books, making sure to avoid her father's presence. Their friendship blossoms into marriage, approved by Soraya's father, General Taheri. They have a traditional Afghan wedding and move in with Baba. However, Baba's health deteriorates rapidly, and Soraya suggests they continue living with him to care for him.

After Baba's passing, Soraya and Amir move out to start fresh in a new home. They go through the heartbreak of infertility, leading to a sense of hopelessness. However, a ray of light appears when Rahim Khan calls Amir to come to Afghanistan for redemption and a chance to find goodness again.

While in Pakistan, he meets Rahim and sees that the surroundings are dilapidated with soldiers patrolling everywhere. Rahim reveals to Amir the reason why Baba never wanted Ali and Hassan to depart - they shared the same mother as Amir. Through a letter from Rahim, Amir learns that his mother was a Hazara, and discovers that Hassan had a child. Despite Rahim's attempts to convince Hassan and his wife to return to Baba's residence for safety, they decline.

After staying the night, Rahim convinces Hassan to come with him the next morning. Out of respect, Hassan and his wife live in the hut in the backyard. While staying there, they have a child named Sohrab. Rahim gives Amir an envelope containing a letter and a picture of Hassan with Sohrab. In the letter, Rahim informs Amir that an orphanage in Afghanistan owned by Americans has accepted Sohrab, although Amir is unaware that this is not true.

Amir searches tirelessly for Sohrab, visiting numerous orphanages with Rahim's assistance. Eventually, he locates him in an orphanage managed by his enemy, Assef. Assef insists on a fight before allowing Amir to take Sohrab, seeking revenge for a past betrayal. Despite Assef's guards waiting outside the room, no one is to intervene in the deadly showdown between Amir and Assef while Sohrab watches on.

While Amir and Assef were fighting, Sohrab’s memory was jogged as he remembered his father’s slingshot lessons. Acting quickly, Sohrab targeted Assef’s eye with a stone, allowing Amir to emerge victorious and sparing Sohrab from facing Assef again. As they leave the orphanage, Rahim rushes to assist the injured Amir into the car. At the hospital, Amir learns the truth about Rahim’s deception regarding the orphanage in Afghanistan and later discusses it with Soraya.

They viewed this as a golden opportunity to finally establish the family they both desire. Amir encounters numerous obstacles with government and federal agencies in his efforts to bring Sohrab to reside in America. Despite being advised by his attorney to remain patient, he ultimately triumphs in bringing Sohrab to the U.S. It is through Sohrab that Amir finds redemption for the remorse he harbors from betraying Hassan. He is resolute in providing Sohrab with a brighter future and rectifying his previous wrongdoings.