Loyalty In The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner" revolves around the major theme of friendship and loyalty, which shapes the characters' identities. Amir the novel’s protagonist's relationships with Hassan, his childhood best friend and other characters are vital to Amir's growth and significantly impact his behavior. Loyalty shapes the characters' behaviors, identities, and redemption. The novel emphasizes the ability for forgiveness and redemption, even in the face of hardship and betrayal, through loyalty. The novel also portrays friendship by giving the characters emotional support, encouraging empathy and understanding, and making redemption and forgiveness easier. Friendship gives the characters a feeling of belonging in the middle of the complex

77). Amir quietly watches and flees as he puts his own goals to get the winning kite back to impress Baba, ahead of stepping in to defend his friend. Hassan, on the other hand, would have helped Amir. Amir is haunted by this act of cowardice and betrayal, knowing Hassan would have stood up for him makes Amir feel even guiltier. His betrayal has consequences that go beyond him not helping Hassan. It weakens the previously unbreakable bond between Amir and Hassan and finally results in Hassan leaving Amir's life.“ In Amir’s subconsciousness, he would leave Hassan behind at any time no matter how faithful Hassan was to him.He just stepped back and saw Hassan struggling on his own. He betrayed Hassan and lost himself.” (Du). Hosseini emphasizes the difficulties of friendship and the long-lasting effects that guilt and regret have on an individual through Amir's betrayal of Hassan. Throughout the novel, Amir’s guilt from betraying Hassan as a kid creeps into young adulthood with him. Amir continually feels ashamed of his past and sees no path to redemption. Amir becomes less judgmental of others' wrongdoings because of his past

However, Amir knowing he has a secret past of his own does not judge her and still marries her even though this news bothers him. Amir goes back to Afghanistan later in the novel, Amir feels he needs to make amends for his betrayal, which pushes him to face his past actions and ask for forgiveness. Realizing that genuine redemption requires more than only actions or words, Amir looks for ways to redeem himself which drives him to commit courageous and selfless acts, like going back to Afghanistan in the middle of the dangerous Taliban rule to save Hassan's son Sohrab from a life of mistreatment and neglect. Amir's choice to save Sohrab demonstrates his devotion and genuine friendship with Hassan. It represents the desire to make amends for past betrayal, his readiness to sacrifice for the people he cares about, and his commitment to upholding the loyalty and friendship Hassan once had given him. Friendship and loyalty are very important themes throughout “The Kite Runner” because they help shape the characters' identities, direct their actions, and aid in their path to redemption despite the tragedy and betrayal that takes place throughout the