The Kite Runner Forgiveness, Loyalty, and the Quest for...

The Kite Runner: Forgiveness, Loyalty, and the Quest for Redemption Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is an award-winning novel and considered one of today’s most popular, contemporary classics. The story is one of familiar themes such as loyalty, forgiveness, betrayal, love, and redemption. It follows the tale of Amir and how he must atone for his sins and find a way to â€Å"be good again† (Hosseini 2). The quintessential message of this book relies on the idea of second chances. Themes of redemption, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness are not only shown without doubt through this book, but are also common among many literary works and religions. Hosseini is successful in showing the significance of these themes throughout the novel. The†¦show more content†¦Harvey Freedenberg in an online article titled â€Å"The Kite Runner,† says that Hosseini â€Å"demonstrates striking skill at melding a page-turning story with intensely involving characters and conflicts.† He says what makes people love the book so much is, â€Å" that it wrestles with themes†¦ [Of] friendship, betrayal, the relationship between fathers and sons, the quest for redemption and the power of forgiveness.† Erin Miller in an online article titled â€Å"Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini† complements Freedenberg’s analysis by saying that another reason why so many people love this book is that â€Å"The core story could be set in any culture because it deals with issues that are universal,† so readers can relate to the familiar themes. This view is carried out with the supportive character, Hassan, who plays a significant role in the novel by representing a Christ figure who is forever forgiving of Amir. Hassan is the, â€Å"harelipped kite runner† whose only friend is Amir (Hosseini 2). Hassan demonstrates the themes of second chances and forgiveness through his actions of kindness. For example, when Assef and his gang come to torment Amir, Hassan comes to the rescue with his slingshot. Although Amir never considers him to be his friend, Hassan proves to be a flawless servant to his half-brother, even after Amir betrays him. Throughout the story, Amir remembers Hassan by his kind-hearted phrase, â€Å"For you, a thousand times over,† which evidences how magnanimous andShow MoreRelatedThe Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini1695 Words   |  7 Pages The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a famous novel for its honest portrait of betrayal, and redemption. The novel is narrated by fictional character, Amir, who starts a new life in America with his wife, Soraya, and is a successful author who tries to escape from his haunted childhood in Afghanistan.. Amir is the son of wealthy Afghan businessman, Baba. The opening chapters are told by an older Amir explaining about his childhood. As a reader, one will notice that every joy experiencedRead MoreThe Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini Essays1723 Words   |  7 PagesThe Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, follows the maturation of Amir, a boy from Afghanistan, as he discovers what it means to stand up for what he believes in. His quest to redeem himself after betraying his friend and brother, Hassan, makes up the heart of the novel. When Amir hears that his father’s old business partner, Rahim Khan, is sick and dying, he travels to Pakistan to say his goodbyes. Rahim Kha n tells Amir about Hassan’s life and eventual death; the Taliban murdered Hassan while he wasRead MoreThe Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini1770 Words   |  8 PagesRedemption within Friendship In Islam, the pomegranate tree is a representation of beauty and it is said that those who eat from it will encounter a prosperous future. 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Hosseini also uses not onlyRead MoreCritical Analysis Of The Kite Runner 1899 Words   |  8 PagesCritical Analysis of The Kite Runner â€Å"It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (142). Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner unfolds the story of the affluent youth Amir and his servant friend Hassan, who are separated by a traumatizing sexual assault and the 1979 Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan. Despite a fresh start in San Francisco, Amir is devoured by guilt for failing to protect his loyal friend. Many years later