ipl-logo

Why Is Guilt Important In The Kite Runner

1195 Words5 Pages

Think about a time you have ever done something wrong. Guilt. That’s probably the feeling you felt right? Every person in this world has done at least one thing wrong at some point in their life, and guilt was most likely one of the consequences. However, with guilt, most people will want to redeem themselves in order to get rid of their guilt. This concept is expressed in the book Kite Runner. In the novel Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses symbols to allude to the journey of Amir and Hassan’s relationship, exhibiting that redemption is borne out of guilt.
Throughout the novel, Khaled Hosseini alludes to a pomegranate tree as a symbol of Amir and Hassan’s friendship. The pomegranate tree initially represented the strength of the boy's friendship, but after Amir fails to intervene when Hassan is sexually assaulted, it dies along with their connection. While in Kabul, Amir is told he needs to take Hassan's son back with him, but to do so he must fight his childhood bully, Assef. In the midst of this fight, Amir is relieved of the guilt he once felt, and remembers the way the …show more content…

After betraying Hassan, Amir always carried the weight of his assault on himself. When Amir hears that Hassan has died he blames himself for Hassan’s death. Following this, after Sohrab attempted suicide Amir finds himself desperate to save Sohrab. Amir prays to Allah and says; “My hands are stained with Hassan's blood; I pray God doesn't let them get stained with the blood of his boy too.” (Hosseini 346). Hosseini uses the symbol of blood to convey the guilt that Amir has carried with him throughout the years. As Amir goes on to vow he will not be stained with Sohrab's blood as well he allows himself to feel redemption because he is able to save Sohrab, unlike he was able to save Hassan. The hope of Sohrab living is Amir’s way of redemption for washing off Hassan's

Open Document