Guilt In The Kite Runner

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In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini the overall theme of the work is guilt/redemption, which is a major plot point and causes decisions that surround character’s trying to absolve their guilt. The plot of the novel is founded on Amir’s guilt and need for redemption. The guilt is introduced in the beginning and is the antagonist of the novel. Amir lives in the past every day. No matter what he does he can’t let go of that night in the alley where he let Hassan down. He spends many sleepless nights as a result of the insomnia he developed from his guilt. Even after twenty years have passed, Amir cannot let go of his guilt. This guilt is what causes him to go back to the Middle East after so many years. The possibility of finally letting go …show more content…

Due to his guilt, Amir makes selfish decisions that impact those around him in large ways. Amir cannot bare to see Hassan’s face every day, because it serves as a constant reminder of his cowardice. He does what he has to in order to get Hassan out of his life. He does this to deal with his own guilt, without caring how it effects those around him. He does not care that Ali and Hassan will lose the only home they have ever known, as long as he no longer has to see the face of his guilt every day. Amir is not the only one living with guilt. The same way Hassan represents guilt for Amir, he also does for Baba. Baba feels he has betrayed his wife’s memory by sleeping with Hassan’s mother, and sons by keeping the truth from them. Hassan constantly reminds him of these things, and he tries to redeem himself by being a great man (building the orphanage and standing up for the women on their way to Pakistan), and showing Hassan love as well (fixing his cleft lip). The extra affection he shows towards Hassan and his work cause Amir to be jealous, because he wants Baba’s love and feels he does not have it, while the aforementioned do. These decisions on both their parts impact the lives of the people around them in ways they do not see because they are trying to rid themselves of their

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