The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, has many themes throughout its intricate storyline. One of the most perceptive themes of the novel can be perceived as Amir’s, the main character, journey for redemption after his long ago betrayal of his best friend, Hassan. In the same way an undercurrent of the redemption theme can also be seen in the movie Slumdog Millionaire, as Salim, the main character’s brother, searches to right his wrong doings towards Jamal. Both characters dangerously risk their life and go to extraordinary lengths for the sake of their own personal salvation. However, the true question is this: Does redemptive acts truly rectify a despicable deed, or is there more to the equation? Readers of The Kite Runner might be in dispute …show more content…
The word redemption has many meanings. According to Merriam-Webster, redemption is the act of saving from sin, to make better or more acceptable, or an exchange for something of value. Yet, what if there is more to the word redemption than just face value? Imagine a scenario where a thief shop lifts from a retailer and then his or her conscious whispers conviction, and ultimately the said individual returns the stolen goods from the store. Has the thief then redeemed himself from the heinous act of theft, or should he or she still be regarded as a criminal? Many would take a logical approach and say of course he is nevertheless a criminal and should somehow be reprimanded for his wrongdoings. However, a few individuals might take a step back and praise the man for his honesty and integrity in bringing the goods back to their rightful owner. This struggle between rational tenet and ethical justification has been an ongoing battle throughout the existence of man, and it still is highly debatable today. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Amir struggles with this same internal battle of the heart and mind when he his faced with the guilt of his
Forgiveness is a necessary part of human existence, although it is rarely easy to give, and sometimes hardest to give to ourselves. The Kite Runner illustrates humanity's tendency, and even willingness, to dwell on past mistakes. The opening sentence sets this theme with "I became what I am today at the age of twelve," as Amir unapologetically relates how he believes one action at that young age defined his entire life. However, as the novel progresses, the reader comes to the conclusion that it was not one action, but a series of choices and events that created Amir's persona as an adult. By holding onto his guilt and fear of discovery, Amir could only bury his past for short periods of time before his own conscience uncovered it and the
The only way to have full redemption is to tell the truth. In The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Amir is a boy living in Kabul, Afghanistan, as the son of Baba. Who is a wealthy businessman of great success. He is a very generous person, building an orphanage, giving to the poor, and lending money to friends in need. Baba has a very well acquainted business partner and a good friend Rahim Khan, who gives Amir great attention that Baba does not give to him. They have Ali and his son Hassan, who are servants to them. Amir and Baba flea Kabul when the Soviets invade Afghanistan, leaving everything behind. When they emigrated to America, Amir and Baba live in great poverty. Baba is a manager at a gas station, then gets lung cancer and dies. He has a lot of guilt, giving to people and doing good deeds is not a way to redeem one’s self.
“For you, a thousand times over.” In The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini, there is a recurring theme of redemption that is portrayed by various literary devices. Kahled excellently juxtaposes devices such as irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing to show redemption within his first novel.
The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini is a novel with multitudes of themes but the theme most integral to the story concerns friendship, guilt, and redemption. This theme was most important to the novel because the conflict in the book is intertwined with this theme, following the life of a man haunted by regrets. The book is told from the perspective of Amir and this is something he deals with for the entirety of the book after the incident with Hassan. Amir, even as a middle-aged man, is still haunted by what he hadn’t done for Hassan all those years ago. Amir’s entire life takes a certain path because of what he did or didn’t do during and after Hassan’s assault. Amir’s decision affected not only himself, but also Hassan. Their lives forever changed. Amir and Hassan were each other’s best friends and they grew together like brothers, though they didn’t know at the time. Amir feels as though he broke the sacred bond they had and he decided to make it right by finding Sohrab. This is the last thing he can do for Hassan. He cannot tell him he is sorry anymore. He doesn’t have any other paths of redemption.
The Kite Runner focuses on the journey of Amir as he struggles both mentally and physically to make up for a horrible wrong that he committed in his past that continues to haunt him to this day. He encounters many difficulty, fear, and happiness. Hosseini teaches his readers that it is necessary to channel one’s guilt into a means of redemption because although forgiveness may not be granted right away, as long as moral actions are taken, atonement will eventually ensue.
In the Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini wrote that “true redemption is […] when guilt leads to good” (Hosseini 302). this connection between suffering and redemption develops throughout the whole story. Hosseini hints that sacrifice leads to redemption in the book the Kite Runner through the actions of Baba, Sanaubar’s return, and Amir’s journey to atone for his sins.
Redemption is a core concept within Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and the protagonists of both tales suffer through numerous trials and tribulations in order to receive their absolution. The two authors create worlds which feature supporting ideas to enable the development of the characters and their search for redemption. Regret is common to both texts which is advanced by means of narrative perspective and stage directions, freindship is also used in conjunction through dialogue and characterisation, and finally religion plays a role through symbolism.
How, after years of guilt, self-disgust, and deception, is it possible for one person to become good again? Entrapped in a cage of cowardice for so long, can they ever develop and grow as a normal human being? Amir, the anti-hero in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, seeks to answer these questions in his own search for atonement through various existential events in his life.
“There is a way to be good again” (2). This is the line that rolls through Amir's mind over and over throughout Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner. This is the story of a mans struggle to find redemption. The author illustrates with the story of Amir that it is not possible to make wrongs completely right again because its too late to change past. In this novel Hosseini is telling us that redemption is obtainable, and by allowing us to see Amirs thought process throughout the novel, Hosseini shows us that it guilt is the primary motivation for someone who seeks redemption. Hosseini also uses not only the main character, but other secondary characters to show how big of a part that guilt plays in the desire for redemption. In this
In the novel “The Kite Runner” by Khalen Hasseini, one conflict that helps portray the key theme of redemption is Amir’s internal conflict due to the experiences he has had throughout his life. The key theme of redemption is understood by Amir’s experiences which include; his mother dying when giving birth to him, the rape of Hassan, moving to america, and the death of Hassan. Amir’s internal conflict is powered by his experiences.
Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is an award-winning novel and considered one of today’s most popular, contemporary classics. The story is one of familiar themes such as loyalty, forgiveness, betrayal, love, and redemption. It follows the tale of Amir and how he must atone for his sins and find a way to “be good again” (Hosseini 2). The quintessential message of this book relies on the idea of second chances. Themes of redemption, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness are not only shown without doubt through this book, but are also common among many literary works and religions. Hosseini is successful in showing the significance of these themes throughout the novel.
Reaching Redemption Sin and the quest for redemption is the theme that I think has the greatest impact to the central idea of The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Starting in the very beginning of this novel, Khaled Hosseini begins to reveal the conflict through Amir and Hassan, the close friendship of the son of his father's servant. Without even knowing it, the action of Assef rapping Hassan “Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan’s hips and lifted his bare buttocks.” (75), is what will begin Amir’s inner conflict that carries on through the book as he discovers his quest for redemption as we see later on in this novel.
Khaled Hosseini's, The Kite Runner, is a flashback narrated by a 40 year old Afghan-American man named Amir, who is plagued by his childhood sins until he seeks redemption for his wrongdoing and figures out that redemption requires painful sacrifice. Amir is a kid who experinced someone so loyal to him be raped and Amir did nothing to stop the rapist. One sin led to another and before Amir knew it, he was destroying his life. After his father died, who was someone who he looked up to most, Amir started to go on the path to redeem himself and his guilt where is when he learns the true meaning of sacrifice. Hosseini uses Amir’s misguided notion of sacrifice and his long journey toward redemption in order to ultimately convey that true
In a lifetime one will face many battles and deal with guilt as said “nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power” (Abraham Lincoln). Guilt from deceiving others or other immoral acts will result in one constantly searching for redemption. Khalid Hosseni’s novel Kite Runner and Shilpi Somaya Gowda’s novel Secret Daughter revolve around betrayal and redemption. Firstly, the search for personal redemption will strongly influence ones character. Secondly, the bond a child forms with their parents will affect their actions. Lastly, the persistence of the past will cloud one’s ability to redeem their life. Throughout the novel the authors integrated the themes of
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini tells the coming of age story of the main character Amir. Throughout the novel, many themes are apparent as Amir gets older and deals with the events of his past. One of the main themes is regardless of any action there is always a way to redeem yourself. There are many examples of this theme in The Kite Runner, like when Rahim Khan tells Amir that he can redeem himself, another would be when Assef beats up/hurts Amir but he feels healed, finally were Amir is flying a kite with Sohrab and he smiles. The theme of redemption is present throughout the events of the novel.