The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a famous novel that explores the devastating and painfully honest depiction of identity, betrayal, deception and atonement. This novel portrays the journey of a boy escaping from his haunted childhood while trying to seek redemption as an adult. Amir, the protagonist, has an overwhelming need to be punished and to be redeemed from his sin, so that he does not have to cope with this lingering guilt. Amir’s feeling of guilt and his vital need for redemption are always a part of his life as he is growing up. His journey of redemption is both a mental and physical one, including him going back to Kabul, the city of his childhood, to rescue Sohrab, thus redeeming himself for not helping Hassan during …show more content…
He believes that in order to be redeemed by his father, he must abide by his moral standard which was “that a boy who doesn't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything” (Hosseini 22). By incorporating this moral standard in his life, he is able to muster the courage needed to stand up for the right. As a boy, Amir failed to understand this concept, and he did not stand up for himself. As a result, Hassan constantly stood up on his behalf. For instance, when Assef prepared to attack Amir, Hassan bravely stood up to him and threatened to shoot Assef in the eye with his slingshot. However, as time passes, he can only redeem himself by proving that he himself has the courage to stand up for what is right.
In conclusion, the Kite Runner highlights the effects guilt has on a person. Throughout the novel, characters use their guilt as the driving force of their actions. Amir utilizes his guilt to save Sohrab in order to be redeemed for not helping Hassan during his rape. His guilt accumulates within the novel, until he decides to atone for all the sins he has committed. Thus, Khaled Hosseini utilizes guilt and perseverance in The Kite Runner as the motivation for an individual to seek redemption and attain the satisfaction of