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Kite Runner Theme Essay

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Guilt is a product of betrayal. It becomes a constant reminder of a failure in human condition. People are flawed and incapable of perfection. It is human nature to often fail. But what makes people unique is the burden they feel when such failures leads to the sufferings of others. Amir in The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, does not see his family’s servant boy, Hassan, as an equal. Baba, Amir’s father, keeps the truth that he is Hassan’s real father away from Amir and Hassan, denying Amir a brother and holding the burden of the truth. Amir is also holding a burden of his own for his actions too. He watches as Hassan gets sexually assaulted without ever stepping in to help him. He experiences reminders of that time. He makes many attempts …show more content…

The failure in Amir’s human nature is caring only for himself which leaves Amir to abandon the right decision, standing up to Assef even if it means suffering the same faith as Hassan. Amir, “ had one last chance to make a decision... I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan--the way he'd stood up for me all those times in the past--and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run. In the end, I ran” (Hosseini 77). Amir fails to protect Hassan. Amir put his needs before Hassan’s needs. As a consequence of Amir’s failure, Hassan is raped by Assef. Amir feels his betrayal as guilt for what he allows to happen.
Guilt has an emotional hold on an individual. It becomes a burden that continues to grow if not resolved. Instead of apologizing, Amir avoids Hassan. Hassan, though, never holds his rape against Amir and never brings it up. In fact, Hassan attempts to reconnect their “friendship” with no avail. Amir is not capable of asking for forgiveness from Hassan. He rather have the guilt reside in him then apologize. His reluctance to apologize for his actions prolongs the time he holds his guilt. Amir’s pride had stopped him from ever fully redeeming

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