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Mahum Kudia

Mrs. Mann

Block 2

22 August 2017

Redemption and Betrayal

The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini, follows the story of Amir as he

attempts to fix his past mistakes, with his search for redemption, love, and honor taking a central

role in his journey, as well as in the overall meaning of the book.

In his childhood, Amir constantly fought for his fathers attention and love, his

competition his best friend and servant, Hassan, who Amir feared, Baba liked more than him.

Feeling insecure in his family and in his relationship with Baba, Amir took some drastic

measures in order to insure that Babas love would only be for him. The only way to ensure

Babas love was to get rid of the competition--to get rid of Hassan--a sweet, fiercely loyal boy

who loved Amir dearly. In his selfish desires, Amir completely ruined Hassans life. In the

novel, when Hassan was being raped, Amir stood there and watched. He did absolutely nothing

to save Hassan from his tormentors, instead justified his lack of action as a necessary evil, and

likened Hassan to the proverbial sacrificial lamb, saying, Maybe Hassan was the price I had to

pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba, (77), and so the lamb was slayed, Hassan was raped,

and Amir got his wish. Baba finally accepts him with open arms, and loves him like a father

should. However, Amir is still not happy--in the process of getting what he wanted, Amir lost

himself and his humanity. He couldnt deal with the truth that he was a terrible person. Hassans
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devoted love for him, and his willingness to do anything to protect Amir only made the guilt

worse. Hassan lied and took the blame for stealing Amirs gifts, He knew I had betrayed him

and yet he was rescuing me once again. I loved him in that moment, more than Id ever loved

anyone, and I wanted to tell them all that I was the monster. I wasnt worthy of this sacrifice.

(105). Hassans love for Amir was so strong, he overlooked Amirs clear betrayal, and saved him

again.

Amirs chance for salvation comes at the call of Rahim Khan, who tells him, There is a

way to be good again, (226), leading us into the main theme of the story--redemption.

Redemption comes once an individual, through their regret and remorse, can keep giving the

world enough good until they can learn to forgive themselves for the wrongs they committed.

Amir finds his redemption for betraying Hassan by saving Hassans son Sohrab from a terrible

life. He rescues Sohrab from the Taliban, brings him to America, and adopts him, essentially

doing-over what happened with Hassan.

The love Amir was supposed to give to Hassan is now being given to Sohrab. Amir was

unable to do his duty as a human, and as a brother, towards Hassan. Now, he has the chance to

do right by his son, as its only through love that the mistakes of the past can be atoned for.