Guilt And Redemption In Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner

The 18th century philosopher and writer Voltaire believed that â€Å"every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.† While everyone may not agree with these words, it is an indisputable fact that some people feel guilt not in what they have done but in what they could have done. When faced with a difficult situation, a person has the choice to turn the other way or try and solve the issue. Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner explores the subject of guilt and redemption through the character Amir. When faced with the choice between helping a friend and running away, Amir chooses the latter. This decision plagues Amir throughout his entire life as he seeks redemption to ease his regret. In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the author†¦show more content†¦Instead of helping, he turns and runs the other way. His justification to himself is that perhaps â€Å"Hassan [is] the price [Amir has] to pay, the lamb [he has] to slay, to win Baba† (77). Tho ugh cowardice has something to do with him running away, Amir also sees this as an opportunity to get past Hassan in the race for Baba’s affections. Amir’s comparison of Hassan to a â€Å"lamb† is rooted in the innocence that a lamb often represents. Hassan is an innocent, pure child, but Amir must â€Å"slay† him in order to get what he truly wants. Though he understands the weight of this decision and knows that it is wrong, he still turns and runs the other way when Hassan is in danger as a result of the jealousy that had been building up his entire childhood. Amir’s betrayal of Hassan burdens him with a guilty conscience for much of his life. After he wins the kite running contest, Amir gains Baba’s affection. He begins to push away Hassan not only because he knows it will allow himself to become closer to Baba, but because he cannot bear to be with the person he wronged in such a way. He starts to feel the effects of his guilt, and starts to believe that â€Å"it shouldn’t [feel] this way. Baba and [Amir are] finally friends†¦ [Amir] finally [has] what [he has] wanted all [these] years. Except now that [he has] it, [he feels] as empty as this unkempt pool [he’s] dangling [his] legs into† (85). Amir is unable to enjoy hisShow MoreRelatedGuilt and Redemption in Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner1522 Words   |  7 PagesGuilt and Redemption What is Guilt? Guilt is the overwhelming feeling of remorse that one experiences after committing a sin. What is Redemption? Redemption is compensating for one’s sins through actions that relieves one from guilt. Thesis When making choices that causes one to feel guilt, one tries to purge their guilt through the act of redemption. Hosseini exhibits this through the characters of Sanaubar, Baba and Amir. 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