The_Kite_Runner_-_Redemption

“The Kite Runner shows that true redemption is only possible when people take responsibility for their actions through positive, altruistic or courageous deeds”. Discuss. The Kite Runner portrays the story of Amir and Baba, two people who both sought redemption in themselves for the actions they had or had not done, the actions they did to redeem themselves may have been presented in a positive or altruistic nature but the purpose and intention of those was to benefit them. It was done to settle and satisfy their own needs, to quench the inadequacy that consumed both Baba’s and Amir’s lives. Their contentedness was first priority and it wasn’t achieved through altruistic, positive or courageous deeds. Amir and Hassan’s relationship provides a good example of how the actions of Amir were only to benefit himself. Amir and Hassan were no doubt best childhood friends and despite their physical, genetic and social differences they still found a way to enjoy their childhood years. *Quote* “When we were children, Hassan and I used to climb the poplar trees in the driveway of my father’s house…. We would sit across from each other, our naked feet dangling. We ate mulberries and pelted each other with them, giggling, laughing.” However Amir’s and Hassan’s life changes dramatically after the witness of Hassan’s rape. In an attempt to deal with his own psychological issues, even before Hassan and Ali eventually left Baba’s house. Amir completely segregated himself from Hassan to deal with his own issues despite Hassan’s attempts to try and communicate and play with Amir. In a time that Hassan needed a friend most. Amir didn’t come to his side to comfort him; he was simply too busy burying his guilt and regrets to perform what could have possibly been positive, altruistic and potentially courageous deeds. His refusal to see Hassan, pushed Hassan to believe he had done something wrong himself, worsening the situation further and destroying Amir and Hassan’s friendship. *Quote* ““I don’t know what I’ve done, Amir Agha. I wish you’d tell me. I don’t know why we don’t play any-more.” “You haven’t done anything, Hassan. Just go.” “You can tell me, I’ll stop doing it.” “I’ll tell you what I want you to stop doing, anything. I want you to stop harassing me. I want you to go away” I snapped.” Running from guilt, Amir simply wanted to erase all evidence and reminders of the night Hassan was raped, simply to cut it out altogether to restore his sanity and help him sleep at night, to help him-self. Baba, Amir’s father and Hassan’s biological father is a very powerful, rich, determined and independent man. In Amir’s eyes, he is the father figure to always look up to and Amir is always attempting to impress Baba with personal feats or achievements. He is shown as a pillar of the community and an honest man. But Baba could well be the source of all of the chaos that ensues during the rest of the novel. After the affair with Hassan’s mother, which he so desperately attempts to cover with lies, a turning point appears in the novel that greatly affects the lives of Amir, Hassan and Ali.