Question-Answer Open Prompt

Life is too complex for clear-cut answers, especially in matters when the answer seems

obvious. Our assumptions can be dangerous if they cause us to overlook vital information, which

can leave more questions before the start of the search for truth. Readers assume the theme of

Khaled Hosseinis The Kite Runner, that redemption is always achievable, but the ending raises

the question of whether that is true.

Amir realizes that redemption and forgiveness are possible, but its unclear if he was

redeemed when we see the big picture. He spent much of his life dealing with the guilt of

neglecting Hassan being a bystander to his rape and planting false evidence so that Baba would

force him to leave. He gets a miraculous call from Rahim Khan, giving him the opportunity to

save Hassans son, Sohrab, from Assef, Hassans rapist. When Amir succeeds, he feels as if hes

redeemed himself, laughing in bliss as he is beaten by Assef. Its the last few moments of the

book that brings Amirs credibility into question. Amir hurts Sohrab when he tells him that he

may have to go to another orphanage, and Sohrab nearly takes his own life. A new question

comes up did he truly redeem himself of his betrayal to Hassan if he caused Sohrab so much

pain that he tried to commit suicide? Amir seems to think so. Even though Sohrab refuses to

speak and is clearly hurt, Amir still believes in his own redemption for what he did to Sohrab. In

the last scene, Amir runs the kite for Sohrab; he will go through any obstacle to be forgiven. If he

could be forgiven for his betrayal for Hassan, as what miraculously happened, then he believes

that it could be done again.

The protagonist believes that redemption is achievable, but Amirs way of thought may

not be the end of the story. To Sohrab, he may have fallen short. Amir did redeem himself in the

sense that he saved Hassans son from Assef, but now he must achieve redemption for the
emotional hurt he caused for Sohrab. In another view, potentially Sohrabs, the search for

redemption only caused pain. Amir is still seeking forgiveness at the end of the book, so it could

hint that the need of acceptance from others just creates more of this desire. But from another

perspective, Amir still redeemed himself at near impossible odds, with Hassan long dead, which

suggests that redemption is a possible goal. It certainly is in Amirs eyes, and maybe thats all

that matters.

Amir gains a firm belief in redemption as the plot of The Kite Runner, but the truth is

much more complex than he thinks.