Identity in The Kite Runner Essay Example

People recognize each other based on their identities. What one does reveals their true identity. People's past actions can influence their current and future actions. The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini discusses the various identities that define a person. A person's life can be ruined by one poor decision. A person's identity is formed by their past and present actions. Baba's secret caused him guilt and embarrassment; Amir's belief that he murdered his mother caused him guilt; and Amir's mistake to not assist his friend Hassan caused him guilt.

Baba feels guilty for keeping Hassan's truth hidden from everyone, knowing that if anyone found out, Baba's reputation would be ruined. Baba had an affair with his friend's wife, Sanaubar. Baba deceived his two sons, Amir and Hassan, as well as his best friend, Ali. In the novel it states, “"Ali was sterile," Rahim Khan said. "No he wasn't. He and Sanaubar had Hassan, didn't they? They had Hassan ''No they didn't," Rahim Khan said. "Yes they did!" "No they didn't, Amir." "Then who" "I think you know who"” (Hosseini 189). Rahim Khan invited Amir to visit Afghanistan, and when Amir arrived, Rahim revealed a secret that Baba was keeping from everyone. Ali was unable to have children because he is sterile. Amir initially refused because Ali and Sanaubar made Hassan, but when Rahim told him, "No, they did not," Amir remembered his Baba. Amir then becomes enraged at his Baba for concealing this information from him. Baba felt guilty because he couldn't tell his own son that he has a brother. It also made Amir feel guilty about what he does to Hassan. It says, “"How could you hide this from me? From him?"I bellowed. "Please think, Amir jan. It was a shameful situation. People would talk All that a man had back then, all that he was, was his honor, his name, and if people talked… We couldn't tell anyone, surely you can see that." He reached for me, but I shed his hand”(Hosseini 190).Amir is irritated and doesn't understand why Baba kept this from him. Then Rahim tells him that it was a shameful situation back then, and it would ruin his reputation. Amir considers all of the clues and realizes that Baba would treat Hassan as if he were his own son. This demonstrates that Baba was responsible for keeping this big secret from everyone. Baba betrays Amir, and Amir feels the same way.

Hassan is assaulted in front of Amir, and Amir feels guilty. Amir wants to do something to help Hassan, but he is scared and flees. Amir feels guilty as a result of the incident.  The novel states, “"I watched Hassan get raped," I said to no one. Baba stirred in his sleep. Kaka Homayoun grunted. A part of me was hoping someone would wake up and hear, so I wouldn't have to live with this lie anymore” (Hosseini 72). Amir stands by and does nothing as Hassan is raped because Amir is terrified; he does not even attempt to stop Assef. He wants to tell someone, but he cannot because he is scared he would be accused. He does not want to confront Hassan again. It says, “I didn’t speak to Hassan until the middle of the next week. I had just half eaten my lunch and Hassan was doing the dishes. I was walking upstairs, going to  my room, when Hassan asked if I wanted to hike up the hill” (Hosseini 72). Amir no longer communicates with Hassan. Hassan wants to calm things down, so he invites him to go hiking with him. Despite feeling guilty, Amir agrees after Hassan repeatedly asks. Amir witnesses and admits to witnessing Hassan being raped. Amir is scared and keeps it to himself, ignoring Hassan. Hassan wants to go hiking and decides to bring Amir along.

Amir feels guilty because Baba accuses him of murdering his own mother. Amir agrees with his Baba to some extent because the cause of her death is giving birth to Amir. Baba convinces Amir that his mother dies as a result of him. Baba makes him feel like everything is his fault. It is stated, “Because the truth of it was, I always felt like Baba hated me a little. And why not? After all, I had killed  his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I? The least I could have done was to have had the decency to have turned out a little more like him. But I hadn't turned out like him. Not at all” (Hosseini 14). Amir believes his Baba dislikes him because he murders his love of his life. Amir also stated that he aspires to be like his father. Amir aspires to be a wealthy leader like his Baba, but he does not become another version of his Baba. It discusses his mother and Amir's feelings of guilt. He wishes his mother was still alive and that his father did not despise him for it. He wishes his mother was here with him because he wishes Baba was happy. He bears no resemblance to his father. Amir wonders if he is like his mother. It reads, “Then one day, I was in Baba's study, looking through his stuff, when I found one of my mother's old history books. It was written by an Iranian named Khorami. I blew the dust off it, sneaked it into bed with me that night, and was stunned to find an entire chapter on Hazara history” (Hosseini 7). This explains why Amir resembles his mother. He enters his father's study and begins looking through his belongings without permission. Amir then locates his mother's old history book and brings it to his room. Baba never tells Amir anything about his mother, so Amir was surprised to discover that his mother enjoys reading as well. Baba despised Amir and accused him of everything. Amir's mother perishes as a result of giving birth to Amir. Amir discovers that his mother is a reader and that he resembles her.

People have a tendency to do things that make them feel guilty. You will never be free of your guilt if you keep it inside. What people have done affects them in various ways. Khaled Hosseini the author of the novel The Kite Runner teaches people about guilt and betrayal. For example, Baba does not inform Amir that Hassan is his half brother. If Baba tells Amir ahead of time, he would have done things differently and not let Hassan leave. Baba is also responsible for making Amir feel guilty for murdering his mother. While giving birth to Amir, his mother dies of natural causes. Amir wishes he could be more like his father. Amir feels bad about not assisting Hassan when he was being raped. Amir was frightened and unsure of what to do. Guilt has the ability to consume and tear people apart. It can also prevent you from being true to yourself and others.