The Kite Runner's Protagonist

Amir was the narrator and protagonist in the novel, The Kite Runner.  Amir is raised by the well-to-do business man, Baba.  He learns to have a sense of entitlement and becomes used to getting what he wants, when he wants.  Amir’s every wish is granted by his doting father, except one; to earn his father’s love.  He constantly strives to earn Baba’s affection and attention.  He continually reflects on the fact the his mother, the love of Baba’s life, died during childbirth, which he blames himself for.  He feels that Baba wishes his son was less sensitive, more athletic and less interested in reading.  As a result, he becomes extremely jealous of anyone who wins Baba’s attention, which often times is Hassan.  Although Hassan is Amir’s best friend, whenever Hassan is doted upon by Baba, Amir punishes him by lashing out.  He continually makes fun of Hassan’s lack of schooling, and constantly tries to trick him.  Hassan, however, is always by Amir’s side, defending him when he needs it and there for him when he needs a friend.  Both Amir’s jealousy and Hassan’s loyalty play a role in Amir sacrificing Hassan for Baba’s affection.  After gaining Baba’s pride, Amir realizes that his not any happier than he was before, and that Hassan now lives miserably.  He realizes his selfishness in wanting Baba’s love, and sees the kite that he thought would solve his problems with Baba now as a token of his guilt.  This is ironic because Baba didn’t only wish for Amir to be more like him, but wished more that he would learn to do what is right, “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.” (pg 22).  In an effort to please Baba, he does what Baba would be the least pleased with unknowingly.  Amir lives with his guilt as he grows older until he saves Sohrab.  Sohrab acts as the child Amir and his wife, Soraya, were never able to conceive and as the way to earn redemption.  When Amir saves Sohrab from Assef, just as Hassan does for Amir years earlier, Amir is relieved from the guilt he carried for so long, “My body was broken—just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed.” (p. 289).  At the end of the novel Amir learns to be more like Baba and Hassan, and no longer feels guilty for what Assef did.