Redemption In The Kite Runner

Rahim Khan, a character of The Kite Runner, tells Amir, “There is a way to be good again.” (Hosseini 122). The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini depicts the story of Amir, a boy living in Afghanistan, and his journey throughout life. Amir’s journey starts out in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is living a good life with his friend/servant Hassan and his rich father. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he spends his life appeasing to his father, in order to receive his attention. In Kabul, Amir commits one of the biggest sins in his life; being a coward. During Hassan’s rape, Amir stood and watched Hassan being raped. This results in the burden that Amir carries on his back day by day. The theme of redemption is shown in the novel, when Amir tries

Usually, in most cases of redemption, the one who is seeking redemption carries a burden and holds a secret he must not tell. This burden can cause a lowering of self esteem and confidence, making one feel useless or hopeless. Amir is one of these individuals as he remains haunted by his actions in the past, which has permanently scarred his life, and thus he is searching for redemption. This burden has cause Amir to envy others for not having guilt or secrets or for being willing to tell their secrets when he can’t, “I envied her. Her secret was out. Spoken. Dealt with. I opened my mouth and almost told her how I’d betrayed Hassan, lied, driven him out, and destroyed a forty-year relationship between Baba and Ali. But I didn’t.” (Hosseini 165). Amir had reasons for not telling Soraya, as he didn’t want to cause harm between their relationship. Amir has carried this burden for so long, and he is searching for a way to redemption. When Rahim Khan calls Amir and tells Amir to see him, he tells Amir that “There is a way to be good again.” (Hosseini 122). This is the sign of redemption Amir was looking for and Amir regains confidence to redeem himself to his family, his father, Hassan, and all who had impacted his life. Redemption, the compensation of one’s guilt or fault, has changed Amir’s life, making his goal to seek redemption for all of the sins he has

The thought of him not standing up to Assef’s violence towards Hassan haunted Amir for many years, making him have lower confidence and feeling uncomfortable. This guilt of not standing up for Hassan has caused him to separate from his only friend, Hassan, and has casted an eternal burden on his back. Rahim Khan calls Amir to tell him that “There is a way to be good again.” (Hosseini 122). Amir takes the path to redemption by saving Hassan’s son Sohrab, who has been living in an orphanage and under Assef’s watch. Assef challenges Amir to a fight, and unlike the past, Amir stands up to Assef; getting beaten up in the process. As Assef beats up Amir, Amir laughs through the pain, feeling relieve to have the burden off his chest. Sohrab, who is still mourning over his dead father is not as happy as he once was, but Amir does his best to comfort Sohrab and provide Sohrab a better life in America, treating Sohrab like the son they never had. At the end of the novel, Sohrab and Amir makes a loyal promise. “For you, a thousand times.” (Hosseini 371). This promise was a promise Amir made to Hassan a long time ago, and with Amir promising the exact promise, Amir has finally sought and received redemption for his crimes against Hassan and his