The Kite Runner's Theme: Redemption

A common theme in the novel, The Kite Runner, is redemption, as seen in the previous two posts.  Amir struggles to find a way to atone his actions throughout the novel.  Early in the novel, Amir searches to find a way to attain Baba’s acceptance after his mother dies during childbirth.  Amir feels responsible for his mother’s death, and he feels that Baba looks down upon him for it, “With me as the glaring exception, my father molded the world around him to his liking.” (pg 15).  Amir strives to make up for killing his father’s “princess” (pg 15).  He tries to act more like Baba, without success.  Amir feels that he should be more interested in soccer, like his father, less interested in poetry, as his mother was, less likely to be car-sick, and more defensive.  The one way Amir feels that he can redeem himself to Baba is by winning the kite tournament, “I had a mission now.  And I wasn’t going to fail.” (pg 57).  This also results in sacrificing Hassan.  His choice the day of the kite tournament introduces a new road to redemption; that of his guilt for what he did to Hassan.  His guilt drives him to return to Kabul in search of Hassan’s blood, Sohrab.  Saving Sohrab from the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that Amir once put Hassan through, allowed Amir to forgive himself for what he did.  At the beginning of the novel Baba says, “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.” (pg 22).  This becomes the true test in order for Amir to forgive himself.  As a young boy he couldn’t stand up for himself, “when the neighborhood boys tease him...Hassan steps in and fends them off.” (pg 22).  He also can’t stand up for others when he knows he should, “Maybe Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba.” (pg 77).  As an adult, the only way Amir can make amends is by standing up for what is right and rescuing Sohrab.