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03-05-2010 9:53 AM
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Leslie Rodriguez
 
 - Joined on 09-04-2009
- Posts 2
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In the book “The Kite Runner,” the most memorable passage starts when Hassan runs off to find that winning kite at the tournament and ends the moment Amir walks away from the alley scene. In my opinion, that set of events sets off the stage for the rest of the novel because it marked, or scarred rather, Amir’s life forever. The guilt he felt as he remained motionless before such horrific event during which Assef humiliates and takes advantage of Hassan, haunts him day and night. Through this we are able to capture one of the novel’s underlying themes which is betrayal and the search for redemption.The above mentioned passage starts on page 71 and can be followed until the end of chapter 7 on page 79. This is the first act of betrayal on Amir's part. He finds Hassan at the end blind end of the alley and simply watches as he is insulted by Hassan. This instance of betrayal triggers the rest of the times where we encounter acts of betrayal in the novel. The same is true in the case when someone lies. Once someone tells one lie, they are more than likely forced to continue lying until they find themselves surrounded by a web of lies. Therefore, due to the fact that Amir chose to watch his friend suffering destroys whatever trace of integrity he had. Another example of betrayal in the novel can be witnessed as Amir, as opposed to trying to make matters better, makes them worse. The remorse he feels inside is starting to become unbearable. He is desperate to find a way to amend for his sin and so he thinks if Hassan disappears from his life, it will help him mend the wound present deep in his heart. He incriminates Hassan and his father, Ali, by placing a watch and money in Hassan's mattress in order to make believe they stole it and are not worthy of living in their home. Indeed Hassan and Ali leave Baba's house, but that ultimately does not help the way Amir feels. He fails to realize he is only digging a deeper hole for himself.Our third, but not last example of betrayal in the novel is found in Amir's father, Baba. As we progress through the novel, we come to find that Amir hasn't been the only one who has sinned because Baba kept a secret from Amir all his life. Rahim Khan, Baba's friend, is the one who reveals to Amir that Hassan is his half brother. This makes Amir realize that he has been part of a vicious cycle of sin-- betrayal. Knowing that he is not the only one who has done wrong helps him feel a little better about himself. However, his true redemption is yet to come. He is able to reach that as Rahim Khan exposes the novel's message about forgiveness and explains to him that the most important thing he must do is forgive himself. He could and should in fact forgive his father and Rahim Khan for keeping the secret from him, but the last piece to the self was himself and his own sense of forgiveness.
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