Path to Self-Redemption

Path to Self-Redemption

In The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Amir is on a constant search for redemption; turning from a selfish child to selfless adult. In the beginning, his guilt stemmed from the death of his mother during his birth. Amir strives to redeem himself in order to earn Baba's forgiveness because he feels responsible for his mother's death. The most substantial part of Amir's guilt stems from allowing Hassan to have his innocence taken away for his selfish want to have Baba's approval.

During his early childhood, Amir is deprived of any emotional connection with Baba, making him extremely jealous of anyone who would receive attention from Baba more than him; here readers see the selfish child that is Amir . When Amir is watching Hassan have his innocence stripped from him, he says that he "actually aspired to be a cowardice" (Hosseini 82). Moreover, Amir believed that "Hassan was the price [he] had to pay, the lamb [he] had to slay, to win Baba." (Hosseini 82). Amir is self-absorbed to the point where he attempts to make himself believe that he is the one making the sacrifice in order to gain Baba's affection. Amir allows Hassan to be hurt just so that he can bring the blue kite home to show Baba that he is a winner just like him. Hassan was Amir's best friend, and unknowing brother. Hassan has stuck up for Amir countless times, yet Amir aspired to let Hassan be taken advantage of for his own selfish wants. Amir has unsatisfyingly won Baba's approval, but to no avail, Amir is still unsatisfied with himself knowing that he is indeed getting away with this; the guilt is eating him up inside. However, as years go on, Amir is on his way to self- redemption by saving Hassan's son.

When Rahim Khan asks Amir to rescue Sohrab and bring him to an orphanage, Amir is hesitant at first thinking that "maybe Baba was right" about him being weak and unable to stand for himself (Hosseini, 233), but ultimately accepts, beginning his path to redemption. When Amir finally reaches Sohrab, he is met by Assef who seems to be a Taliban leader. Assef challenges Amir to a fight, if Amir is to win then he may go free with Sohrab. Amir has never fought before and Sohrab reminding him of Hassan and how Hassan would stick up for him, thinking it is only right to fight for his son in this time of need. Readers begin to see how Amir has now become selfless by sacrificing his own well-being in order to attempt to redeem himself as well as save Sohrab. During the fight, Amir feels like his "body was broken... but [he] felt healed. Healed at last." (Hosseini, 289) Amir has finally gotten what he has deserved all these years; he has received his physical punishment which he has longed for, and the end result is ultimately saving Sohrab.

By saving Sohrab, Amir finally feels that he has redeemed himself, proving