The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

According to Maya Angelou, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” This quote implies that history is permanent and it is simply impossible for one to change the past. As humans we make bad choices that we have to live with that can potentially haunt us later in life. The only way to change this reality is to foster a brave outlook on life. With a little courage and a clear conscience, one can make a better decision next time one faces that a similar obstacle. This quote proves to be valid in numerous ways. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is great example of this critical lens. The novel illustrates the quotation well. It presents a main character named Amir that experiences something awful, and makes a decision that will affect his life forever. In The Kite Runner, Amir witnesses the rape of his good Hazara friend named Hassan get raped in his presence by a boy named Assef. In the heat of the moment, Amir cowardly does nothing, and runs away from the scene. Amir immediately recognizes what he has done, and that he should have chanced everything to help his dear friend knowing he would have done the same for him. "For you, a thousand times over.” This quote from the novel displays Hassan’s true loyalty and admiration for Amir. Hassan would have sacrificed his life in a second to help his beloved friend. He loved Amir with all his heart. Sadly, Amir’s feelings of guilt grow drastically over-time. These strong feelings of regret stay with Amir his entire life as he grows up, gets married, and moves to America. This characterizes Amir entirely. The fact that he still regrets his decision years later of not helping Hassan shows that he has a good heart, and wishes he had acted differently; unfortunately, the fact is that what he has done cannot be changed. Although Amir has good intentions, he is unstable and cannot make his own decisions. He knows that Hassan is the best friend he could ever ask for, but allows society to sway his opinion. Because Hassan is a “Hazaran,” Amir is led to believe that they cannot be true friends. Consequently, this memory from his childhood stays with Amir and, continues to affect his life. Although it is not as vivid, the thought has not left Amir’s mind. One day, Amir gets a call from Rahim Khan back home in Afghanistan. Rahim tells Amir, “There is a way to be good again.” This illuminates a critical point in the novel where Amir realizes what happened with Hassan is everlasting, but there is possibly a way to make up for it. At this point, conflict plays a chief role in the story. Amir travels back to Afghanistan, and Rahim Khan tells him that Hassan and his wife Farzana were killed by the Taliban after refusing to give up Amir’shouse. He also finds out that Hassan is his half brother. But, even more importantly their child and Amir’s nephew, Sohrab was living in an orphanage. Amir knew it was vital that he must find the young boy. He faces numerous challenges while trying to reach Sohrab. After endless searching, he finally locates him with Assef’s. There, Amir sacrifices a physical beating to rescue Sohrab from Assef. Amir takes Sohrab back to the states, and treats the young boy not only as a son, but a best friend. It is ironic that Amir now cares for Hassan’s son; but, it was an intrepid act for a long lost, best friend.
Finally, Amir cannot undo the choices he has made as a child. They are simply history, and, therefore, unalterable. But, Amir has become a stronger man, inside and out. He has clearly made up for his transgressions with his consequent actions. Lastly, a decision one makes will remain part of him or her for the rest of his or her life. A wrongdoing often turns into an everlasting regret. We have all experienced doing something that we wish we had not done, or done differently. With that being said, we must continue to live our lives because what has been done cannot be altered. The only way to forget the past is to focus on the future, and how we can make better choices down the road. After learning what the right thing to do is, one can make sure he never repeats history. One can correct past regrets through bold actions in the present. With a little courage, we can learn from our past mistakes.