Kite Runner Redemption Quotes

Coco Chanel once stated, “Guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death” (Coco Chanel). Redemption and death go hand in hand with each other. Many people feel the need to redeem themselves and be forgiven when they are near death. People always have an ulterior motive in every action they make, and that is no different when talking about somebody near death. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini the concept that only when near death do people feel the need for redemption is shown numerous times throughout the whole novel. This concept can be seen when looking at the characters Sanaubar, Rahim Khan, and Baba, and their actions. In The Kite Runner the character Sanaubar is a prime example of the concept that only near death do people feel the need for redemption. Sanaubar

Rahim Khan is dying and very sick when he calls Amir to come back to Afghanistan. Rahim Khan states, “‘I don’t think I’ll see the end of this summer’” (Hosseini 201). Because Rahim Khan is dying this is affecting how he is living his life. Death can majorly affect how somebody lives their life and can even affect the choices that they make (“Death”). The significance of death in this case is shown throughout how Rahim Khan acts, and ultimately affects his actions that he makes. Rahim Khan calls Amir to come back to Afghanistan to tell him the truth about all the things that Baba had kept a secret, and also to persuade Amir to get Sohrab back. Rahim Khan states, “‘I want to tell you about him. I want to tell you everything’” (Hosseini 202). Rahim Khan couldn’t die with the knowledge that Amir didn’t know that Hassan is his brother, so he ends up telling Amir the truth because he couldn’t deal with the guilt of him not ever knowing. Within these examples, it is clear that Rahim Khan feels the need to redeem himself and to be forgiven when he is near