Guilt In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner

Words: 516
Pages: 3

Human beings are unpredictable; this is because there is a limitless number of feelings and events that factor into their decision making. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, shows a handful of these reactions and their repercussions throughout the novel. Amir, Baba, and Rahim Khan all face issues that challenge each of them with varying severity, although they all struggle to overcome themselves. When an individual is driven by their past failures, they will spend their life compensating for their actions, because if the do not, they will drown in guilt. Amir’s guilt comes with his faults to be a true friend and stay loyal to Hasaan, so he copes with escaping from his problems. When they were small children after Amir would tease or make fun of Hasaan, there was a realization of wrongdoing in Amir’s conscious, and he stated, “I would always feel guilty about it later.” Amir goes on to say in return for his mischievousness, Hasaan would receive an old shirt or …show more content…
This is Amir’s way of feeling better about his abuse of friendship, although it is not a true redemption in that the things he gives to Hasaan are not valued by Amir. Nonetheless, giving Hasaan hand-me-down items is what Amir uses to feel better about himself, therefore relieving the feeling of guilt. It is no secret that Amir was never a perfect friend to Hasaan, he did not even consider Hasaan to be a friend, in the sense of the word, so when Amir witnesses Hasaan’s rape, he does not know how to deal with his feelings towards Hasaan. Instead of helping Hasaan, Amir shuts him out and blames Hasaan for his own betrayal. When Amir learns he is moving to America, he is excited because it is, “someplace with no ghosts, no memories, no sins.” Amir is able to move away