Kite Runner

The novel 'Kite Runner' is about strength of character, and the relationship between a son and his father. Amir being the basis of both of these themes, is tested morally, and is constantly vying for his father's affection.

The first event Amir encounters he fails miserably. He fights within himself whether or not to help his friend Hassan from being brutally raped in an alley " I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. 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"(pg.77). Amir's betrayal of his best friend Hassan cuts deep and never heals. This incident stays with Amir and dictates the rest of his life.

Another model of strength of character is when Amir is offered a chance to return to his homeland by request of Rahim Khan. He needs Amir's help to rescue Hassan's son. Amir sees this as an opportunity for redemption and a way to right the wrongs, a way to end the cycle. Rahim said, "There is a way to be good again. A way to end the cycle. With a little boy. An orphan. Hassan's son. Somewhere in Kabul"(pg.227). Amir has committed many sins in his life. He realizes eventually that he has held the inner strength of character all along when he has enough courage to find Hassan's son Sohrab and defeats Assef.

Another theme in the book is Amir's ever present want to strengthen his bond with his father. Amir is always jealous of Hassan and his father's strong bond he perceives them to have. Amir feels it is his fault his mother died while giving birth to him, and that he must make this up to his father. Amir does many horrible things, and tells many lies in hopes of gaining his fathers respect, forgiveness, and love.

An example of this is when