In the novel, The Kite Runner,the lead character, Amir, is often made to resemble those that surround him. Amir is always defined by other characters and never truly gains an identity of his own. Without a defined view of himself, Amir defines himself by the mistakes of his past. Amir defining himself by his mistakes results in him becoming infatuated with them, as they are no longer just actions, but they are a part of his identity.The parallels the author draws between Amir and other characters emphasizes Amir’s guilt over his past actions; Amir’s obsession with his guilt causes him to become self absorbed, as he is focused solely on his guilt and not on how his past actions have affected others; as a result Amir is never fully able to redeem