Accountability And Redemption In The Kite Runner

In this novel, The Kite Runner, the author, Khaled Hosseini explores the themes of accountability and redemption through the experiences of his characters. Ultimately showing us that choosing to run away instead of taking accountability comes back in a full circle, and redemption can only be attained by taking that step of accountability. This is shown to us through many characters but Amir and Baba, are prime examples.

In the beginning, Baba is portrayed as a man who lives by his principles, a man who preaches the importance of honesty, integrity, and owning up to one's mistakes. Even lecturing his son about the crime of theft, "When you kill a man, you steal a life," Baba said. "You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of

Ali was a close friend of Baba’s ever since they were kids, he had always been loyal to Baba, but after discovering the truth about the affair, Ali had become increasingly resentful towards him, even more so for hiding this truth instead of apologizing for it. So when he found out about what happened to Hassan, his “son” and how poorly Amir dealt with the situation it became the hump that broke the camel's back. It showed Ali that no one in the house even respected them. Causing him to make the decision of leaving the household with Baba’s son. "Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving." Ali drew Hassan to him, curled his arm around his son's shoulder.”- pg 106. Baba not understanding the scope of the situation insists that he has forgiven Hassan for something Amir had framed him for, but the damage had already been done. This no doubt leaves Baba with a deep sense of grief and loss. "I don't care about the money or the watch," Baba said, his arms open, palms up. Baba stood up, a sheen of grief across his face. "Ali, haven't I provided well for you? Haven't I been good to you and Hassan? You're the brother I never had, Ali, you know that. Please don't do this." - pg

Rahim Khan reveals the truth about Hassan and his son, Sohrab, and Amir reluctantly decides to travel to Afghanistan to make up for what he had failed to do in the beginning. In a life-or-death situation, he is able to find the courage to stand up for all the guilt that he had felt, to risk his life for a boy he really doesn't even know. And through this act of he finally becomes content and gets a sense of closure that he really hasn’t felt since he was a kid. “I don't know at what point I started laughing, but I did. It hurt to laugh, hurt my jaws, my ribs, my throat. But I was laughing and laughing… hadn't been happy and I hadn't felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken--just how badly I wouldn't find out until later--but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed.”- 289