How Does Amir Use Deception In The Kite Runner

Deception and the Manifestation of Pain

“In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us”. That quote by Janet Jackson offers the idea that knowledge gives an upper hand. In the case of the book The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir show that sometimes knowledge is more detrimental than helpful. Among many themes in the book, the idea of deception and the pain that follows is a very prominent one. This is one example of a common theme throughout The Kite Runner. When people live in deception, pain is inevitable and can further manifest if deception is continued.

Deceit first displays itself when Amir continually lies to those closest to him. Amir is first guilty

While one could simply point to the fact that it was a “shameful situation” (223), considering there was never any tell of the relationship between Baba and Hassan until well after both had died, this was a level of deceit that was rightfully responded to with pure hatred. Rahim Khan, a close friend to Baba, indirectly shares the truth about Hassan’s father in a conversation when he says “Ali was sterile” (222) to which Amir replies “then who [had Hassan]?” (222). Rahim Khan finally replies saying “I think you know who” (222). This open-ended response is enough to make Amir sure that Rahim Khan is alluding to the fact that Baba was Hassan biological father. After making this realization, Amir is livid and expresses such emotion very vocally. Amir is quoted calling both Rahim Khan and Baba “lying g***amn bastards” (222) and in a final fit of rage before leaving Rahim Khan, he says “[there is nothing Rahim Khan] can possibly say to make things better” (223). Needless to say, Amir was by no means understanding of such deceit. This also displays the idea of pain being amplified through manifestation. As Amir put it, “[he was] thirty-eight years old and [he’d] just found out [his] whole life [was] one big f***ing lie! (223). In perspective, Amir has every right to be so angry after having this lie held from him

In the case of Galileo’s supposed heresy and the Church, consequences of deceit didn't present themselves until years later. After “the second time that Galileo was in the hot seat for refusing to accept Church orthodoxy” (History, 2), Galileo was convicted a heretic for trying to disprove the Church’s beliefs regarding the mobility of Earth. The Church did not agree with Galileo because the idea that the Earth was immobile was “an absolute fact of scripture” (History 2). This lead the Inquisition, a court order of the Church, to order the “Dialogues of Galileo Galilei [to] be prohibited” (History,4) therefore being kept secret so as not to allow such blasphemies to spread. This meant that Galileo’s work, and correct work at that, could not be shared with the public, therefore, deceiving the public from the truth. What’s more, “Galileo agreed not to teach the heresy anymore and spent the rest of his life under house arrest” (History, 5) which, in turn, made him no longer able to share his findings with the world. This suppression caused by the Church was a massive act of deceit towards many civilians, eventually leading to many people losing trust in the Church. “It took more than 300 years for the Church to admit that Galileo was right” (History, 5) about the so called heresy. The Church’s decision to repress Galileo is looked down on