Forgiveness In The Kite Runner

There are moments in life which will forever touch the future. Often, these such moments revolve around the greatest mistakes--or rather, sins. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, portrays an epic journey of redemption and forgiveness through Baba and Amir sins they have committed. Although sin and guilt consumed Baba and Amir’s life, redemption and forgiveness were possible through their selfless acts of love.
Unbeknownst to all for years, Baba lived a life of hypocrisy; he committed his one, cardinal sin: thievery. Baba was always quite firm in his convictions. He truly believed “there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft” (17). However, this strong and resolute man stole Ali’s valor and the right to the truth from Hassan and Amir.

To find solace and redemption within himself, Baba found it difficult to connect with his legitimate son. Communication, love, and affection were not concepts easily displayed to Amir from his father. To Baba’s credit, he truly did try to connect with Amir; Baba would discuss topics Amir was simply not appealed to--like soccer. However, Baba was able to redeem himself for his lack of fatherliness. He performed “one last fatherly duty” (163) by asking the permission from the General to marry Sonyara. This duty, a symbol of a true act of love, was Baba’s way of apologizing in his weak, cancerous state. Therefore, Baba found redemption within himself, and Amir forgave his father for the detachment during his childhood, for Baba displayed this amazing, selfless act of love in his last

Rahim Khan’s phone call allowed Amir the opportunity to atone for his cowardliness. Unlike Baba’s reparation, Amir’s came at a substantial cost; however, the reward his reward was simply momentous. He felt reparation with each wound inflicted. Symbolically, Amir finally received the punishment he asked for years ago beneath the beloved pomegranate tree. In the end, Amir saved so much more than himself from his grief; he saved Sohrab. A true act of humble love. Through his sacrifice, Amir, like his father, was able to find peace with himself and forgiveness from the late